Dive Site: SS Iona

About SS Iona

The SS Iona is a well-known British steamship wreck located off the coast of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. This historic vessel rests at a shallow depth, making it a popular and accessible dive site for both locals and tourists alike. Over the years, the wreck has become an artificial reef, attracting a rich variety of marine life that has settled on its structures. While the specific topography of the wreck itself is not detailed, it lies in an area known for healthy and colorful reefs, which act as a habitat for countless fish species, invertebrates, and corals. The surrounding region, including nearby Seven Sisters, features dramatic reef walls, coral plateaus, and unique underwater grottos and corridors. The dive site offers a glimpse into both maritime history and a thriving ecosystem. The Red Sea around Yanbu is characterized by warm waters and excellent visibility, allowing divers to clearly appreciate the wreck's features and the vibrant life it hosts. It represents a pristine diving experience within Saudi Arabia's less-explored Red Sea coastline. Diving the SS Iona is typically done from day boats operating out of Yanbu. Conditions often involve mild to moderate currents, which can necessitate drift diving techniques, but the shallow depth generally makes for a straightforward and enjoyable exploration of this accessible historical site.

Dive site facts: SS Iona

Depth

Shallow depths

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

15–60 m

Water temperature

26–32°C

Entry

Dayboat / tender

Level

All levels

Dive type

Wreck, reef

Region / port

Yanbu

Coordinates

22.2744° N, 38.6599° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents in the Red Sea, particularly around sites like the SS Iona, are described as generally mild to moderate. This often leads to drift diving being a common practice, where divers move with the current along the site. Divers should pay close attention to pre-dive briefings to understand current direction, strength, and planned entry and exit procedures, especially when the boat tracks and picks up divers downstream. While strong currents are not typically highlighted for this specific site, being prepared for varying flow is always prudent for safety and an enjoyable experience. Visibility is consistently excellent, often exceeding 15 meters and sometimes reaching up to 60 meters, ensuring good orientation even with currents.

Marine life & sighting chances

Red Sea clownfish

common

Bluespotted ribbontail ray

common

Barracuda

common

Turtle

Year-round, especially January–May · common

Dolphin

January to May, October–December · common

King Mackerel

occasional

Silky shark

January to May, September–October · occasional

Tiger shark

January to April, October · occasional

Hammerhead shark

occasional

Whale shark

February to May · occasional

Manta ray

January to May, October–December · occasional

Dogtooth Tuna

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving the SS Iona typically begins with a day boat trip from Yanbu, lasting approximately eight miles offshore. The wreck lies at shallow depths, making for a relatively straightforward descent. Divers will explore the structure of the British steamship, which has become heavily colonized by marine life over time. The dive generally involves circumnavigating or penetrating sections of the wreck, depending on conditions and diver certification. Due to mild to moderate currents, a drift dive technique might be employed, with the boat tracking divers for pickup downstream. Maintaining good buoyancy is essential to avoid disturbing the wreck or its delicate coral growth. The shallow nature of the site allows for extended bottom times. A safety stop is typically conducted at five meters, often near a shallower part of the reef or in the blue, before surfacing for boat retrieval.

Underwater photography

The SS Iona offers excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography, capturing the entire wreck structure and the surrounding reef scape, which is rich with corals. A wide rectilinear lens would be ideal for documenting the scale of the British steamship and schools of fish that inhabit it. Given the excellent visibility in the Red Sea, ambient light can be strong, but strobes are highly recommended to reveal the vibrant colors of the hard and soft corals that have encrusted the wreck. For divers interested in marine life details, a macro lens would be valuable for capturing the diverse invertebrates and smaller reef fish that reside on and around the Iona.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Five Corals

  Colorful reefs and pelagic life in the northern region near Yanbu.

• Seven Sisters

  Vibrant reef islands known for healthy corals and pelagic encounters, north of Yanbu.

• Suflani Reef

  Features recesses and cavities with light effects, located just south of Yanbu.

• Boiler Wreck

  A stern section wreck on Abu Madafi Reef near Yanbu, at 60 feet max depth.

Getting there & logistics

The SS Iona is conveniently located approximately eight miles offshore from Yanbu Harbor, making it easily accessible for day trips. Divers flying into Saudi Arabia would typically arrive at Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International Airport) or a regional airport, then travel to Yanbu. Day boat operators in Yanbu arrange excursions to the wreck. There are no specific permits mentioned for diving the Iona itself, but standard liveaboard or day trip fees would apply. Trips to the Iona are usually standalone day dives or part of shorter itineraries exploring the immediate Yanbu area, often combined with nearby reef systems like Five Corals or Seven Sisters.

Safety & environment

While specific safety information for the SS Iona is not detailed, general Red Sea diving safety applies. The nearest recompression chamber is typically located in major coastal cities like Jeddah. Evacuation in remote areas of Saudi Arabia could be complex, highlighting the importance of comprehensive dive insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation. Divers should always follow dive leader instructions, especially regarding drift diving procedures and current management, which are common in the region. Maintaining good buoyancy is crucial to prevent contact with the wreck and its marine life, ensuring both diver safety and preservation of the site. Adequate gas planning is also essential given the potential for currents.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

SS Iona FAQ