Levanzo Wreck

The SS Isola di Levanzo (renamed Levanzo in 1902) — an Italian cargo and passenger steamer that ran aground on Elba Reef in March 1923 and sank two weeks later when a salvage hawser snapped. One of the most remote wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea, lying inverted near the Egypt-Sudan border.

Overview

The full name of this vessel is SS Isola di Levanzo, built in 1901 by Fratelli Orlando (Orlando Brothers) in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy, 3,713 GRT. Sources disagree on her length: cassiopeiasafari.com reports 339.6 feet (approximately 103.5 metres); one other source reports 113 metres. She was renamed Levanzo in 1902 when sold to NGI (Navigazione Generale Italiana). She was damaged by a mine in November 1916 during WWI and later used on the Massawa (Red Sea) supply route. On March 14, 1923, she ran aground on Elba Reef while en route from Genoa to Durban with a cargo of salt and general cargo. On March 28, 1923, while under tow by a salvage vessel, the towing hawser snapped and she sank. The wreck lies inverted (upside down) with the stern and propeller at approximately 22 metres, sections extending to approximately 40 metres, and a maximum depth of approximately 65–80 metres. Access is remote — liveaboard only, near the Egypt-Sudan border.

Site Information

• Location: Elba Reef, southern Egyptian Red Sea, near Egypt-Sudan border (~21.99°N, 37.05°E)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wreck dive
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Note: The OSM-recorded depth of 20m appears to describe the shallowest accessible part only
• Typical Visibility: 20–35 meters
• Current: Variable; can be strong in open Red Sea conditions
• Best Time: October to April

Marine Life

Schooling trevally and barracuda, large groupers, black corals, soft corals, and moray eels have been confirmed at this site by multiple sources.

Entry and Exit

Accessed exclusively by liveaboard operating southern Red Sea itineraries. Egyptian permits required for this latitude zone. Open water conditions can be rougher than in sheltered coastal waters. Entry via giant stride; deploy SMB before ascending.

Safety Considerations

Open Red Sea dive site requiring greater self-sufficiency than coastal resort dives. The wreck is inverted, adding navigational complexity. Currents can be unpredictable. Always carry a fully charged SMB with oral inflation and an audible signal device. The deeper sections (40m+) are beyond recreational limits and require technical diving qualifications.

Sources: Sadko Safari Fleet, Royal Evolution, Cassiopeia Safari, Divescover, Diving Attitude. Last updated 2026-06-27.