Red Sea Wreck Diving

The Ulysses Wreck

Built in 1871 in Newcastle, England, this 95m long cargo vessel was sunk after hitting the reef of Gobul Seghir in 1887. It now lies at a maximum depth of a little over 30m, making it the ideal depth for Red Sea wreck divers to explore. Having been submerged for such a long time the Ulysses has been well and truly 'marinated' and is now completely encrusted with hard corals, blending in with the natural substrate of the Red Sea.

You will begin this dive by back-rolling in from a zodiac and dropping down to the wreck which lies at a 30 degree angle with its more intact stern in deeper water and the fragmented bow lying shallower. Normally the dive will begin at the stern where it is possible to penetrate and carefully fin through below the grid-like beams of the main deck. The light may be limited here so it is worth bringing your torch for illuminating the occasional nudibranch, but especially the ball of glassfish you can often find behind the engine room.

As you make your way shallower you can cover the sandy slope where the mast funnel lies. Look out for ghost pipefish lurking around the small gorgonian here.

Further into the shallows you will find the wrecked remains of the bow where you might find moray eels and the occasional grouper. Here you will rejoin the reef and slowly make your way back to the boat. Look out for crocodilefish and seahorses in the gorgonian fans of this section of the reef. If you are lucky you might hear the unmistakable noises and then witness the unforgettable sight of dolphins, which are quite commonly sighted in this area.

The Ulysses Reef Basics: Red Sea wreck diving
Depth: 10 - 29m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Usually calm, can be rough
Water temperature: 22 - 28°C
Experience level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 50 km (3 hrs) north of Hurghada, 50 km (3¾ hrs) SW of Sharm El Sheikh
Access: Red Sea liveaboards

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