SS Thistlegorm (Wreck)

About this dive site

This dive site is the SS Thistlegorm, a famous wreck dive located in the Red Sea, Egypt. The wreck lies relatively intact on the seabed, offering divers the unique opportunity to explore the remains of a World War II British armed merchant cruiser, which sank in 1941. Navigation involves carefully moving through the wreck's various compartments, such as the cargo holds filled with military vehicles and equipment and the upper decks, which still have visible anti-aircraft guns and other deck machinery. The wreck itself is largely intact and provides a breathtaking underwater landscape.

Marine life abounds within and around the wreck. Shoals of fish, including fusiliers, snapper, and jacks, patrol the wreck's exterior and interior, making for excellent photographic opportunities. Divers may encounter moray eels hidden within the wreckage, and various invertebrates such as crustaceans and anemones colonize the metal structures.

The best time to visit the Thistlegorm is during the Red Sea's warmer months from March to November, when visibility is typically at its best. Divers should be prepared for moderate currents and ensure they have appropriate training and equipment (including EAN) as this dive requires appropriate dive experience. The maximum depth of 26 meters and the complexity of the wreck mean this is not a site for recreational divers, however experienced divers and underwater photographers will be suitably challenged and rewarded by the beauty and depth of the wreck.