Wreck Diving in the Red Sea

The Gubal Barge Wreck

The Gubal Barge is a site frequently dived by the northern Red Sea liveaboards since it is suitable for all levels of diver. It sits in around 15m of water and is located in a sheltered spot where boats commonly tie up for the night. As a result there is a strong chance you will experience it as a night dive.

While the Red Sea is famed for its large wrecks, this one is small at under 35m in length. Some wrecks here are wonderfully intact and feature several decks yet the Gubal Barge is little more than a decaying hull. However, it is popular more because of the marine life than any unique features of the wreck. It has been suggested that it is the popularity of the location as a mooring site, and the titbits thrown overboard that is chiefly responsible for the proliferation of fish.

The surrounding reef is as worthy of inspection as the wreck itself, and if there are too many divers around it is worth enjoying the relative peace of the reef where you can spot dorid nudibranchs, and perhaps even the magnificent Spanish Dancer. Lionfish lurk in wait for some passing prey, while various shrimps, including boxer shrimps, and anemone crabs seem to appear in every crevice.

Encrusting sponges and soft corals are all over the withering remains of the barge, as are well-disguised scorpionfish, some enormous resident giant moray eels and the occasional crocodilefish. You may also spot octopus both in the fissures of the wreck and on the surrounding reef, while a swirling silvery fishball dances this way and that in the water column above you.

While some night dive sites can be "hit and miss", the Red Sea's Gubal Barge always delivers.

The Gubal Barge Reef Basics: Red Sea wreck dive
Depth: 14 - 16m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Usually calm
Water temperature: 22 - 28°C
Experience level: Beginner
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 50 km (3 hrs) north of Hurghada, 45 km (3½ hrs) SW of Sharm El Sheikh
Access: Red Sea liveaboards

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