moderate Diving Hurghada

Salem Express (Safaga)

Also known as: Salem Express Wreck MV Salem Express Safaga Wreck

Photo: Thomei08 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Depth Range

12–30m

Difficulty

moderate

Exposed to wind and swell off Safaga, possible current - Advanced Open Water recommended; a memorial wreck, dive with respect and stay outside

Sea conditions at Salem Express (Safaga) today

Good for diving

Sea

27.7°C

Waves

0.9 m

Wind

14 kn NW

Air

25°C

Today

1.0 m · 18 kn

Tue 6

1.2 m · 19 kn

Wed 7

1.0 m · 17 kn

Thu 8

1.0 m · 15 kn

Fri 9

1.1 m · 15 kn

Sat 10

1.0 m · 14 kn

Sun 11

0.7 m · 11 kn

Water is 27.7°C — 3 mm full wetsuit is the usual choice.

Updated 05:20 · Full conditions & 7-day outlook
Forecast data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). Model values for the area, not a reading at the reef — your skipper and guide make the call on the day.

The Salem Express is one of the best-known wrecks in the Red Sea: an Egyptian passenger ferry that sank on a reef off Safaga in December 1991 while returning from Saudi Arabia, and now lies on her side between about 12 and 30 m.

About 100 metres long, she rests with her hull covered in coral, home to glassfish and lionfish, with barracuda and jacks passing over the wreck. Because a large number of people lost their lives, the Salem Express is treated as a memorial, and divers are asked to stay outside, to touch and take nothing, and to photograph with respect. Guides brief every dive accordingly, and it is one of the most moving wreck dives in Egypt.

The wreck is in the Safaga area, roughly 60 km south of Hurghada, so it is usually a full-day trip with a road transfer. Advanced Open Water is recommended for the depth and possible current, and Nitrox extends bottom time. Weather can make the site inaccessible, and the dive centre decides on the day.

What You Might See

Glassfish & fusiliers Lionfish & scorpionfish Moray eels Barracuda & trevally Coral growth covering the hull

Suitable for

Divers with some experience
Advanced Open Water recommended
Deep-dive training useful

Best time to dive here

Divable all year — the Red Sea has no closed season. Water runs from about 22°C in February to 30°C in August, and March–May and September–November give the most comfortable mix of warm water, light wind and good visibility. Conditions at this site: Exposed to wind and swell off Safaga, possible current - Advanced Open Water recommended; a memorial wreck, dive with respect and stay outside

Sea temperature, wind and calm days month by month →

Where it is

This site is the highlighted pin; the others are the rest of the reefs around Hurghada. Boat times are from the main harbour and vary with sea conditions.