SS Thistlegorm

Overview

The SS Thistlegorm is one of the most widely recognized and frequently visited wreck dives globally. Sunk directly by German bombers in October 1941, this British armed merchant navy ship now sits upright on the flat, sandy seabed at roughly 30 meters deep. It was successfully rediscovered by Jacques Cousteau in 1955 and has since steadily become a major, sought-after destination for advanced divers exploring the Egyptian Red Sea.

What You’ll See

The massive, open cargo holds remain an incredibly well-preserved WWII time capsule. Qualified divers can swim directly over and around quantities of historical military equipment, packed tightly together on the decks and deeply inside the holds. The extensive military cargo primarily includes:

• Heavy Bedford trucks and armored transport vehicles
• Neatly parked rows of Norton 16H and BSA motorcycles
• Several robust Bren Gun carriers
• Numerous aircraft engine parts, heavy Wellington boots, and complex radio equipment
• Massive, unexploded munitions and heavy artillery shells still strapped to the decks

Beyond the historical metal structure, the sunken wreck acts as a successful artificial reef, teeming with dense, diverse marine life. Schools of silver batfish frequently congregate near the prominent anti-aircraft gun located firmly on the stern, while incredibly well-camouflaged crocodilefish rest quietly on the rusted, coral-encrusted decks. Fast-swimming trevallies, large snappers, and aggressive barracuda regularly hunt in the strong, sweeping currents completely surrounding the wreck.

The Dive Experience

Because the wreck is physically located directly in exposed open water in the busy Straits of Gubal, there can frequently be strong, unpredictable surface and underwater currents. For this primary safety reason, experienced dive guides use thick, permanent mooring lines attached directly to the main wreck, allowing divers to and efficiently pull themselves hand-over-hand directly down the line during descent and during their mandatory safety stops on the ascent.

Due to the significant maximum depth resting firmly at 30 meters (100 feet) and the frequently challenging physical conditions, you need a current Advanced Open Water certification to comfortably and dive the main decks and open cargo holds. Dedicated, specialized Wreck Diver certifications are recommended if you plan to penetrate the deeper, darker enclosed sections safely. It is recommended to complete at least two separate dives here: a first dive to explore the exterior, the prominent bow, and the rear propeller, and a focused second dive to explore the dense internal cargo holds with a reliable underwater torch.

Logistics and Getting There

Most divers visit the SS Thistlegorm via a comfortable, multi-day Liveaboard vessel departing directly from Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh. While some extremely long, exhausting day-trip hardboat charters do occasionally depart very early in the morning directly from Sharm El-Sheikh, the Liveaboard experience is generally considered vastly superior. Staying on a Liveaboard easily allows you to dive the wreck early in the morning at first light, completely before the massive, chaotic crowds of daily day-boats arrive from the mainland. If you are deeply considering where to learn to dive before visiting, you should complete your basic Open Water Course first, and gain significant dive experience before attempting this advanced wreck dive. Ensure you correctly manage your travel and packing when bringing heavy scuba gear directly to Egypt!

Sources & Further Reading

• Project AWARE (Wreck Conservation): https://www.projectaware.org