Dive Site: Cable Wreck (Jeddah)

About Cable Wreck (Jeddah)

The Cable Wreck, originally known as the Staphonos, sank in 1978 near Jeddah while carrying a cargo of construction materials, including steel beams, cables, chain link fence, and asbestos sheets. These materials gave the wreck its current name. It rests on the seabed at a depth of 24 meters, with ambient light naturally illuminating its cargo holds, making it relatively easy for divers to swim through and explore. This wreck forms a substantial artificial reef, fostering a vibrant ecosystem. Its structure is heavily encrusted with corals and provides habitat for a diverse array of marine species. The clear Red Sea waters ensure good visibility, enhancing the exploration experience. Marine life around the Cable Wreck is abundant. You can frequently encounter a guitar shark near the bow and white-tip sharks patrolling along the reef ledge. Large schools of goatfish and blue-striped snappers are often found congregating around the mast. The wreck's accessibility and moderate depth make it suitable for a range of dive levels. On calm days, the wreck is greatly explored by divers of all experience levels, offering a relaxed and rewarding dive. However, during rougher conditions, the site becomes more challenging and is better suited for advanced divers due to potential currents or swell. It's a popular choice for day trips from Jeddah, providing a rich wreck diving experience.

Dive site facts: Cable Wreck (Jeddah)

Depth

24 m

Typical dive

15-24 m, 45-60 min

Current

Variable, mild to strong

Visibility

21–60 m

Water temperature

23–31°C

Entry

Tender / boat

Level

All levels (calm days), Advanced (rough days)

Dive type

Wreck, reef

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Jeddah

Coordinates

22.2714° N, 38.7499° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Cable Wreck are variable and can range from mild to strong, depending on tidal cycles and weather conditions. While often calm, particularly on tranquil days, rougher periods can introduce more significant water movement, necessitating greater experience for divers. Visibility generally ranges from 21 to 30 meters, and can occasionally extend up to 60 meters, providing clear views of the wreck and marine life. Water temperatures remain warm year-round, typically between 26°C and 31°C, with the coolest temperatures around 23°C from December to March. This consistent warmth means a 3mm wetsuit is usually sufficient. Entry is typically via tender boat from a larger dive vessel, with descent and ascent managed carefully to account for any prevailing currents. Divers should monitor conditions, stay close to their buddy, and be prepared for potential shifts in current strength

Marine life & sighting chances

Guitar Shark

occasional

White-tip shark

common

Goatfish

common

Blue-striped snapper

common

Blue spotted stingray

occasional

Moray eel

occasional

Tuna

occasional

Shellfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at the Cable Wreck typically begins with a boat entry, often using a tender for closer approach. Once in the water, a controlled descent follows a guide line or the wreck itself, aiming for the main deck at 24 meters. Navigation usually starts at the stern, exploring the structure and cargo holds where ambient light filters through, creating an inviting atmosphere. You can easily swim through parts of the cargo areas, observing the remaining steel beams and cables that gave the wreck its name. Divers often proceed towards the bow, keeping an eye out for the guitar shark that frequents this area. The route encourages observing the diverse marine life, such as schools of goatfish and blue-striped snappers, which congregate around the mast. The dive progresses along the wreck, maintaining a maximum depth of 24 meters, allowing for ample bottom time. Ascent is gradual, typically following the anchor line, with a safety stop conducted in the clear shallow waters above the wreck before returning to the dive boat.

Underwater photography

The Cable Wreck offers excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially when capturing the entirety of the wreck structure and its cargo. The natural light penetration into the cargo holds creates dramatic scenes, best utilized with a wide-angle lens to encompass the vast spaces. For macro enthusiasts, the heavily encrusted corals and smaller marine life provide ample close-up subjects; a macro lens will reveal intricate details of nudibranchs, small crabs, and reef fish hiding within the wreck. Good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing the silty bottom or the delicate wreck growth. Utilizing strobes with diffusers will help illuminate the darker sections and bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and fish, especially when shooting into the wreck's interior.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Ann Ann Wreck (Jeddah)

  Jeddah's largest and most challenging wreck, suitable for experienced divers.

• Boiler Wreck

  A man-made wreck overgrown with corals, considered a top dive in Jeddah.

• Jabal Al Lith Seamount

  Known for crystal-clear waters, large fish, and seasonal whale shark sightings.

• Farasan Banks

  Remote reefs known for diverse marine life, large pelagics, and untouched corals.

Getting there & logistics

Diving the Cable Wreck is typically done as a day trip from Jeddah, one of Saudi Arabia's primary diving hubs. Divers usually fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, which is well-connected internationally. Local dive operators in Jeddah offer boat excursions to the site, which is accessible within a couple of hours' boat ride. While multi-day liveaboards are emerging in Saudi waters, the Cable Wreck is commonly included in shorter day-boat itineraries. No specific permits beyond standard dive tourism requirements are generally needed, but divers should confirm with their chosen operator. The site is often combined with other nearby Jeddah wrecks or reef dives to create a full day of diving.

Safety & environment

While diving the Cable Wreck, adherence to safe diving practices is paramount. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Jeddah, and divers should be aware that evacuation in remote Red Sea areas can be complex, emphasizing the need for comprehensive dive insurance. Specific site hazards include potential for strong, variable currents, especially on rougher days, which requires good current management skills. Divers exploring the wreck's interior must maintain excellent buoyancy control to prevent disturbing silt or entanglement with cables and debris. Always dive with a reputable operator, follow your dive guide's instructions, and carry appropriate safety equipment, such as an SMB and dive computer. Given its depth, it is recommended that divers are comfortable with deeper dives and wreck penetration guidelines if planning to enter the wreck.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Cable Wreck (Jeddah) FAQ