Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

The Hamada Wreck, resting near the shore at Abu Ghusun, is one of Marsa Alam’s most iconic wreck dive sites. This small but fascinating cargo vessel sank in 1993 and now lies peacefully on its starboard side in shallow water, completely embraced by coral life.

Located around 85 km south of Marsa Alam, the site is a unique blend of wreck exploration and reef diving—making it suitable for all levels, including snorkelers, beginner divers, and experienced wreck enthusiasts.

FeatureDetails
LocationAbu Ghusun, ~85 km south of Marsa Alam town
Dive TypeShore dive / wreck dive
Entry PointEasy shore entry via sandy beach
Wreck Depth Range5 to 18 meters
Visibility20 to 30 meters
Skill LevelBeginner to advanced
Current ConditionsMild to none
TopographyShipwreck on sandy slope, surrounded by coral gardens
Marine HighlightsScorpionfish, glassfish, lionfish, turtles, schooling reef fish
Best Time to DiveYear-round, mornings preferred
Recommended GearTorch for wreck interior, booties for shore entry
Ideal ForWreck diving, underwater photography, marine life observation

🛳 Dive Site Features & Topography – Inside the Hamada Wreck

The Hamada was a coastal freighter that caught fire and sank near Abu Ghusun. It now rests on a sandy slope, tilted slightly on its starboard side in 5 to 18 meters of water—making it one of the few easily accessible wrecks in the southern Red Sea.

Key Features:

  • Ship Structure: The wreck remains largely intact. Divers can explore open cargo holds, observe the engine room, and peer through access points along the hull.

  • Coral Colonization: The wreck is now a mini-reef, with hard and soft corals covering the metal surface.

  • Surrounding Reef: Beyond the wreck lies a healthy reef slope with coral bommies, sandy patches, and seagrass beds.

  • Photographic Opportunities: The shallow depth ensures excellent natural light, ideal for both wide-angle and macro photography.

Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

🐠 Marine Life – Coral, Creatures & Color on the Wreck

Over the past 30 years, the Hamada Wreck has transformed into a thriving habitat for marine life:

  • Glassfish clouds fill the cargo hold and engine room.

  • Lionfish, scorpionfish, and stonefish hide among the wreck’s nooks and coral overgrowth.

  • Turtles are frequently seen grazing in nearby seagrass beds or cruising past the wreck.

  • Reef fish such as butterflyfish, parrotfish, and groupers are commonly sighted.

  • Macro photographers will enjoy nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, and pipefish living among the coral and metal crevices.

This vibrant underwater ecosystem makes Abu Ghusun more than just a wreck dive—it’s a living reef with character and history.

🌤 Diving Conditions & Best Practices

Diving the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun is both easy and rewarding:

  • Visibility: Typically 20–30 meters with clear water and good light penetration.

  • Currents: Minimal to none—excellent for new divers or calm exploration.

  • Depth: Suitable for Open Water divers and up (wreck ranges from 5 to 18 meters).

  • Entry: Easy sandy shore access; a short swim to the wreck.

  • Best Time: Mornings are optimal for lighting and marine life activity.

  • Tips:

    • Bring a torch to explore darker wreck sections.

    • Maintain good buoyancy control inside and around the wreck.

    • Avoid touching the wreck or disturbing marine growth to protect the ecosystem.

With Deep South Divers, safety and preservation are top priorities. Our expert guides provide detailed briefings and ensure a safe, enjoyable dive experience.

Abu Ghusun (Hamada Wreck)

⭐ Why Choose the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun with Deep South Divers?

The Hamada Wreck offers a rare combination: easy access, shallow wreck penetration, rich marine life, and photogenic scenery—all just a short drive from Marsa Alam.

Reasons to Dive Abu Ghusun with Us:

  • ✅ Perfect for first-time wreck divers

  • ✅ Great for snorkeling and scuba diving alike

  • ✅ Excellent underwater photography location

  • ✅ Professional guides with wreck diving experience

  • ✅ Eco-conscious diving with marine protection focus

Whether you’re a curious beginner or an avid underwater explorer, the Hamada Wreck promises a memorable dive experience in the southern Red Sea.

🧭 Ready to Explore the Hamada Wreck?

📍 Book your Abu Ghusun dive trip today with Deep South Divers and unlock one of Marsa Alam’s hidden gems. Dive into history, beauty, and marine life—all in one unforgettable site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hamada Wreck at Abu Ghusun a good dive site for beginner divers?

Yes, Abu Ghusun’s Hamada Wreck is ideal for beginner divers.
The wreck lies in shallow water between 5 and 18 meters, making it easily accessible for Open Water certified divers. The calm conditions, good visibility, and easy shore entry provide a safe environment to explore a real shipwreck without requiring technical diving experience.

What marine life can I see at the Hamada Wreck in Marsa Alam?

The Hamada Wreck is home to a diverse and thriving marine ecosystem.
Divers can spot schools of glassfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, moray eels, and nudibranchs hiding among the coral-encrusted structure. In nearby seagrass beds, turtles are commonly seen grazing. The site also attracts butterflyfish, parrotfish, and groupers, making it an excellent spot for underwater photography and marine observation.

How was the Hamada Wreck in Abu Ghusun created and when did it sink?

The Hamada was a cargo freighter that sank in 1993 near the shore of Abu Ghusun.
After catching fire, the ship was intentionally grounded and ultimately sank in shallow water, where it became an artificial reef. Over the past three decades, it has developed into one of the most popular wreck diving sites in southern Egypt, favored for its accessibility and vibrant marine life.

Can snorkelers visit the Hamada Wreck dive site at Abu Ghusun?

Yes, snorkelers can also enjoy the Hamada Wreck thanks to its shallow depth.
Parts of the wreck reach up to just 5 meters below the surface, making it visible and accessible to snorkelers. While divers can explore the deeper sections and interior, snorkelers can still observe marine life and coral growth from above, making it a great shared activity for mixed-experience groups.

How do I get to the Hamada Wreck dive site from Marsa Alam?

The Hamada Wreck is about 85 km south of Marsa Alam and accessible by road.
You can arrange a dive trip through a local dive center like Deep South Divers, which typically includes transportation, dive guides, and equipment rental. The site is reached via a sandy beach entry, making logistics easy for both snorkelers and scuba divers.

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What Our Divers Say

Real stories from our community of passionate divers

4.9 / 5
from +744 Google Reviews

Excellente expérience pendant 4 jours avec l'équipe du Deep South Divers. Très pro et très sympa. Nos enfants 15 et 17 ans ont passé leur certificat Open Water SSI et nous avons pu les accompagner avec 5 plongées. La sécurité est prise très au sérieux et tout est fait pour que les plongeurs passent une journée magnifique. Merci!

Polecam z całego serca bazę nurkowa. Ich doświadczenie zaangażowanie jest niesamwite Przygotowanie do kursu oraz czas spędzony pod wodą coś wspaniałego.Bardzo chciałbym podziękować Monice za perfekcyjne przygotowanie mnie do nurkowania głębokiego Deep Diving.

I highly recommend Deep South Divers for my memorable dives in Marsa Alam. The dive masters are friendly and the owner, Mohammed is very accomodating. I especially recommend Hassan, who is not only an excellent dive master but someone who works tirelessly to bring satisfaction to his customers.

Mieliśmy przyjemność nurkować z Deep South Divers, nasze dzieci przeszły kurs OWD w tym centrum nurkowym. Wielki szacunek za podejście instruktorów do dzieci, za pokazanie nam cudownych raf i w pełni profesjonalne podejście na każdym etapie nurkowania. Zdecydowanie polecamy to centrum zarówno w zakresie podnoszenia kompetencji jak i nurkowania dla przyjemności!

Zdecydowanie jedno z najlepszych doświadczeń w życiu! Świetni instruktorzy - pełen profesjonalizm i dbałość o bezpieczeństwo, solidna dawka wiedzy. Pojęcie takie jak nuda, nie istnieje podczas szkolenia! Serdeczne podziękowania dla Moniki i Mohameda, za wprowadzenie nas w podwodny świat, w bardzo komfortowych warunkach 😉. Niebawem wracamy do was, nabierać kolejnych doświadczeń!

Wspaniali ludzie, świetnie lokalizację, niesamowite widoki i zwierzaczki, włączając rekiny. Chętnie Monia ponuram z Tobą i twoim teamem ponownie. Naprawdę udany urlop.

Wzdłuż wybrzeża Marsa Alam znajdziecie jedyną najlepszą bazę nurkową - Deep South Divers. Niewątpliwe to doskonałe miejsce dla miłośników nurkowania w Marsa Alam. Powody, dlaczego warto tam nurkować? 1. Profesjonalni instruktorzy, eksperci, którzy pomogą odkryć fascynujący podwodny świat. 2. Bezpieczeństwo., czyli poczucie komfortu pod wodą. 3. Przyjazna, rodzinna atmosfera. Ludzie w Deep South Divers są serdeczni i pomocni. Spotkasz tam pasjonatów nurkowania, co sprawi, że czujesz się jak w rodzinie. 4. Różnorodność miejsc nurkowych. Marsa Alam to raj dla nurków. W okolicy znajdują się piękne rafy koralowe, w które zabiorą instruktorzyJeśli szukasz niezapomnianych wrażeń pod wodą, tylko z Deep South Divers 🌊🐠🤿

Witam.Chciał bym serdecznie podziękować całej ekipie Deep South Divers za te wspaniałe kilka dni, które spędziliśmy razem. Daliście od siebie dużo więcej niż można oczekiwać. I to w mega rodzinnej atmosferze. I przede wszystkim spełniacie marzenia. Te Wielkie, i te malutkie. (coś o tym wiemy. prawda? 😊) Jeśli ktoś jeszcze się zastanawia, to nie ma na co czekać. Hassan z Tobą mogę iść nawet w najgłebsze wody z zamkniętymi oczami wiedząc że wróce bezpiecznie. Monika oraz Mudi zrobią wszystko, oraz sprawią że wiedza nabyta pozostanie w pamięcii na bardzo długo. Bardzo wysoki poziom nauczania połączony z praktyką sprawi że nie wyjdziesz z wody jako zwykły nurek. Przełamujecie wszystkie bariery,oraz obawy i strach. Poziom wyszkolenia personelu, przekazywania wiedzy, oraz humoru deklasuje wszystko i wszystkich w całym regionie, jeśli nie w całym Egipcie. W mojej i nie tylko mojej ocenie jesteście numer jeden. 10/10 kocich łapek. Moniczko dziękuję raz jeszcze. i do ZobaczeniaHello, I would like to thank the entire Deep South Divers team for the wonderful few days we spent together. You gave much more than could be expected. And in a great family atmosphere. And above all, you make your dreams come true. The big ones and the tiny ones. (we know something about this. right? 😊) If anyone is still wondering, there is nothing to wait for. Hassan, with you I can go even into the deepest waters with my eyes closed, knowing that I will return safely. Monika and Mudi will do everything and make sure that the acquired knowledge will remain in your memory for a very long time. A very high level of teaching combined with practice will prevent you from leaving the water as an ordinary diver. You break down all barriers, fear and anxiety. The level of staff training, knowledge transfer, and humor outclasses everything and everyone in the entire region, if not in all of Egypt. In my and not only my opinion, you are number one. 10/10 cat paws. Monika, thank you once again. And see you soon

I have dived at this center for 3 days, 2 dives each day. I can comfortably say it was one of the most amazing experiences i've had! The coral reefs here are in perfect conditions, and you can experience them with ease and tranquility thanks to the amazing personel, from whom i have learned a lot even in the short time i stayed. All the gear is in great conditions and all check have been made. This is my go-to center in Marsa Alam from now on.

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  • Head Office
    68 street, Downtown, Marsa Alam, Red Sea
  • Dive Center
    Dolphin Continental Hotel, El Quseir, Red Sea
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