about Dunraven the dive

This British steamer wreck is located at the southern end of Sha’ab Mahmoud, also known as Beacon Rock, as the wreck lies directly under the South Cardinal Beacon. It takes about an hour by boat to pass Ras Mohammed and is subject to weather conditions. Once at the reef, there is some protection from the waves but it can still be a bit choppy.

The Dunraven was built in 1873 in Newcastle and hit the reef in 1876. It sank in 30 m of water just off the reef wall and is completely upside down in two sections. The length is about 80 m and the width about 10 m.

The back section is about 29 m from the sand and is open in places for those qualified to enter. This leads to swimming next to the ship’s boiler and the place where the wreck broke in two. The exit is usually filled with thousands of glass fish. The front section is in shallow water with many places to put your head, but nowhere to enter.

After the front section, the dive is usually done by refining the hull which is covered with coral, then moving on the reef wall and shallows to finish the dive.