Dive Site: The Dunraven

About The Dunraven

The Dunraven is an 80-meter British steam-and-sail cargo vessel that sank in 1876 after striking Beacon Rock at Sha'ab Mahmoud, south of Ras Mohammed. Rediscovered in 1977, the wreck lies upside down, offering a unique dive experience where the keel points towards the surface. It serves as one of the oldest and most atmospheric wrecks in the Red Sea, often drawing comparisons to the more famous Thistlegorm but with a more intimate and less crowded feel. The vessel, built in 1873, was en route from India with a cargo of cotton, spices, and timber when it met its end. The wreck is broken into two main sections, spanning about 80 meters. Its deepest parts and the surrounding seabed are around 28-30 meters, with the shallowest sections of the hull at about 18 meters. Over time, the wreck has become heavily encrusted with soft corals, sponges, and stony coral colonies, making it appear as a natural reef. The Dunraven boasts a remarkably rich resident fish population. Divers can expect to find shimmering clouds of glassfish within the hull, giant moray eels in the engine room, and an abundance of lionfish, scorpionfish, and crocodile fish on the exterior. The surrounding reef also hosts larger pelagics such as Napoleon wrasse, batfish, groupers, and occasionally reef sharks, ensuring a diverse and vibrant underwater encounter. Accessibility is straightforward, often as a day trip from Sharm el-Sheikh or as an early stop on northern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries. The wreck's inverted position and natural breaks allow for easy, light-filled swim-throughs, making it suitable for divers with some wreck experience without requiring extensive penetration training. The dive typically involves following the reef down to the stern, exploring the hull, and finishing on the nearby vibrant coral reef.

Dive site facts: The Dunraven

Depth

18–30 m

Current

Moderate

Visibility

25–30 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced Open Water

Dive type

Wreck, Reef, Macro, Night

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Sharm El Sheikh / North Red Sea

Coordinates

27.7417, 34.2167

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Dunraven are generally moderate, making it a manageable site for advanced divers. While typically mild, conditions can vary depending on tides and prevailing weather, occasionally necessitating careful entry and exit planning. The sheltered location contributes to generally good diving conditions, with visibility consistently excellent, often between 25 to 30 meters. Divers should be mindful of potential surge, especially near the reef, and practice good buoyancy control to avoid disturbing silt inside the wreck or damaging delicate corals. Due to the proximity to other popular sites, boat traffic can sometimes be present, so divers should remain aware of their surroundings. Despite being generally straightforward, an awareness of current flow enhances the dive experience, especially for internal explorations.

Marine life & sighting chances

Glassfish

common

Moray Eel

common

Lionfish

common

Scorpionfish

common

Pipefish

occasional

Ghost Pipefish

rare

Nudibranch

common

Barracuda

occasional

Turtle

occasional

Batfish

common

Dolphin

rare

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Reef Shark

occasional

Crocodile fish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Divers typically begin by descending along the reef wall to the stern of the Dunraven, where the impressive rudder and propeller are visible at around 28-30 meters. From here, the dive progresses along the length of the inverted hull, which slopes gently shallower. You can navigate through the wreck's interior via large, light-filled openings and broken sections, exploring the engine room with its visible boilers and propeller shaft, while ambient light filters through cargo openings and stern windows. The maximum depth inside the hull is approximately 28 meters, with the upper sections rising to 18 meters. The route is designed as a swim-through, offering an enclosed experience without requiring deep penetration. After exploring the wreck, divers ascend to the nearby reef for the remainder of the dive, enjoying the vibrant coral gardens before performing a safety stop on the reef's shallower sections.

Underwater photography

The Dunraven offers unique photographic opportunities, particularly for wide-angle shots capturing the inverted hull and its intricate coral growth. The natural light filtering through the broken sections and portholes creates dramatic shafts of light within the wreck's interior, ideal for atmospheric compositions. Use a wide-angle lens to encompass the ship's scale and the schools of glassfish that often populate the interior. For macro enthusiasts, the wreck's encrusted surfaces host nudibranchs, pipefish, and various small critters, requiring a macro lens and good buoyancy to capture sharp details without disturbing the marine life or stirring up silt. External strobes are essential to bring out the vibrant colors of the soft corals and fish, especially in deeper areas or within the hull. Pay attention to your buoyancy to maintain a respectful distance from the wreck and its inhabitants, ensuring clear shots while protecting the delicate environment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• SS Thistlegorm

  Often combined in North Red Sea wreck itineraries

• Ras Mohammed

  Close by, offering vibrant reef dives

• Shaab Abu Nuhas (Carnatic)

  Another famous wreck often visited on liveaboards

• Jackfish Alley

  A popular reef site known for its marine life and topography

Getting there & logistics

Access to the Dunraven typically involves either a day trip from Sharm el-Sheikh, requiring about a two-hour boat journey, or as part of a northern Red Sea liveaboard itinerary. Liveaboards usually depart from Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada and commonly feature the Dunraven as one of the initial dives before proceeding to other iconic wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm. International flights usually arrive at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) or Hurghada International Airport (HRG), with transfers arranged by dive operators. Trip lengths for liveaboards exploring the northern Red Sea generally range from 7 to 8 days, offering comprehensive coverage of the region's wrecks and reefs. Permits and park fees are typically included in the liveaboard or day trip package.

Safety & environment

Diving the Dunraven requires advanced open water certification due to its depth and the overhead environment inside the wreck, even though penetration is largely light-filled. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control to prevent stirring up silt and to protect the fragile corals covering the wreck. Always dive with a reliable torch, even in seemingly well-lit areas, to illuminate darker corners and enhance colors. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Sharm el-Sheikh, approximately two hours away by boat, making a prompt evacuation potentially lengthy. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is essential. Always follow your dive guide's instructions and never exceed your training limits.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

The Dunraven FAQ

Liveaboards diving The Dunraven

These liveaboards may visit The Dunraven on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$155/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$173/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$173/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$97/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day