The North (including Rosalie Moller) – Brother Islands – Salem Express route combines some of the Red Sea’s most iconic wrecks with thrilling big fish encounters. Departing from Hurghada, divers explore the wrecks of Abu Nuhas, the Thistlegorm, and the remarkably intact Rosalie Moller, before heading to the Brother Islands for encounters with hammerheads, thresher sharks, grey reef sharks and oceanic whitetips. The itinerary concludes with the historic Salem Express, offering a powerful and memorable wreck diving experience.
SS Thistlegorm
A legendary Red Sea wreck, the SS Thistlegorm lies upright at around 30 metres and is renowned for its remarkable wartime cargo. Tanks, trucks, motorcycles, weapons, railway cars and a locomotive remain among the wreckage, while barracuda, tuna, snappers and abundant reef fish add to the experience.
Brother Island
The remote Big and Little Brother offer some of the Red Sea’s most spectacular diving, with steep walls covered in colourful hard and soft corals, sponges and anemones. Divers can encounter hammerheads, thresher sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertips and whitetips, while the Big Brother is also home to the historic Numidia and Aida wrecks. Strong currents and exposed conditions make the Brothers best suited to experienced divers.
Rosalie Moller
The Rosalie Moller is a historic 1941 cargo ship lying upright at around 50 metres, with the upper deck beginning at approximately 30 metres. Covered in hard and soft corals, the wreck attracts barracuda, tuna, jacks, trevallies and occasional reef sharks, while glassfish, lionfish and groupers inhabit the interior. Its depth, currents and challenging navigation make it suitable for experienced divers.
Salem Express
The Salem Express lies between 11 and 32 metres southeast of Safaga and is one of the Red Sea’s most significant and solemn wrecks. The ship sank in 1991 after striking Shaab Sheer reef during a storm and is officially recognised as a grave. Diving is limited to the exterior, with entry into the cabins prohibited.
Abu Nuhas / Carnatic
The historic Carnatic sank on Abu Nuhas Reef in 1869 and now rests on its side between 20 and 27 metres. Its bow and stern remain well preserved, while the wooden decks have largely disappeared, allowing divers to explore the interior. The hull is densely covered in hard and soft corals, creating an artificial reef rich with marine life.
Abu Nuhas / Chrisoula K
The Chrisoula K sank on Abu Nuhas Reef in 1981 while carrying a cargo of Italian floor tiles. Today, the wreck rests between 5 and 25 metres in a position well suited to divers, with the middle section heavily damaged from its impact with the reef. Its relatively shallow depth makes it an accessible wreck for exploration.
Abu Nuhas / Ghiannis D
The Ghiannis D lies on its port side with sections of the wreck remarkably well preserved, including the bridge, railing, winch and engine room. The deeper sections reveal impressive machinery, while the damaged middle section has become a habitat for crocodilefish, scorpionfish, parrotfish and groupers. The wreck offers an intriguing combination of history, structure and marine life.
Ras Mohammed / Jolanda & Shark Reef
Ras Mohammed is one of the Red Sea’s most famous diving areas, featuring dramatic walls, colourful corals and abundant marine life. Shark Reef offers a spectacular drift along a vertical wall before reaching Jolanda Reef, where the scattered remains of the Yolanda wreck have become completely integrated into the reef. Nearby Anemone City is filled with sea anemones and reef fish, adding another highlight to the dive.
Numidia
The Numidia is a spectacular 150 metre wreck resting along the northern reef of Big Brother, where it sank in the early 1900s after striking the island. Its position against the steep reef creates an impressive multi-level dive, with the wreck increasingly covered by corals as it becomes part of the reef. Its dramatic location and depth make it a particularly memorable wreck for experienced divers.
Aida
The Aida is an unusual wreck that rests almost upright along the sloping reef of Big Brother, with its highest point at around 25 metres and the propeller reaching approximately 57 metres. Despite its age, much of the ship remains intact and is increasingly covered in coral, blending naturally into the surrounding reef. The unusual position makes the Aida a fascinating dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts.