Giannis D Wreck

The Giannis D is the most popular wreck at Abu Nuhas reef and one of the most photographed wrecks in the Red Sea. This Greek cargo ship struck the reef in April 1983 while carrying a cargo of softwood timber. The 100-meter vessel broke into sections as it sank, and today the wreck lies on its port side on the reef slope at depths of 16 to 27 meters. The bow section is the star — it stands upright and intact, rising dramatically from the reef, its mast and rigging still recognisable and colonised by soft corals and sponges. Inside the bow, massive schools of glassfish create shimmering silver walls that part as divers swim through, only to close behind them. Lionfish hover at every entrance, waiting to hunt the glassfish. The bridge and engine room are accessible and contain gauges, controls, and machinery increasingly obscured by marine growth. The stern section is more broken up, spread across the reef slope with the propeller shaft visible. Crocodilefish rest on flat surfaces throughout the wreck, perfectly camouflaged. Large groupers and moray eels are resident, and batfish schools circle the mast area. Nudibranchs and flatworms can be found on the hull surfaces. The wreck is extensively documented and regularly visited, but its photogenic quality and rich marine colonisation ensure it never disappoints. The relatively shallow depth allows for long dive times, and the wreck is suitable for daytime exploration with good natural light penetration.

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