SS Numidia Wreck

The SS Numidia is one of the most celebrated wreck dives in the Red Sea, resting on the northern reef slope of Big Brother Island after running aground in 1901.

Overview

Built at D. & W. Henderson & Co.’s Meadowside Shipyard in Glasgow for the Anchor Line, the Numidia was a steam cargo ship of 6,399 gross tons. On 6 July 1901 the vessel departed Liverpool bound for Calcutta carrying a general cargo of approximately 7,000 tons with a crew of 97. On 20 July 1901 she ran aground on the northern tip of Big Brother Island — directly below the island’s lighthouse. All attempts to refloat her failed, and the captain oversaw cargo salvage for approximately seven weeks before the ship finally sank. The cause of the grounding was never definitively established.

The wreck lies perpendicular to the reef, bow at approximately 8 metres and stern at roughly 80 metres — one of the deepest recreational and technical wreck profiles in Egyptian waters. The wooden superstructure has largely deteriorated over more than a century, leaving an iron skeleton heavily encrusted with soft and hard corals, sea fans, and sponges.

Wreck History

• Built: D. & W. Henderson & Co. Ltd., Meadowside, Glasgow, Scotland
• Operator: Anchor Line
• Gross tonnage: 6,399 GRT
• Departed: Liverpool, 6 July 1901, bound for Calcutta
• Grounded: 20 July 1901, northern plateau of Big Brother Island
• Cause: Navigational error (specific cause not determined)
• Crew: 97 — all survived

Dive Profile

Recreational divers typically work the upper sections between 8 and 30 m; advanced and technical divers follow the hull toward the stern near 80 m. Access is liveaboard only — Big Brother Island sits approximately 60 km from the Egyptian coast. The island’s lighthouse remains staffed by the Egyptian authorities and is visible from the dive site.

Marine Life

Dense soft corals, gorgonian fans, and sponges colonise the hull. In the blue water off the wreck divers regularly encounter oceanic whitetip sharks and grey reef sharks. Hammerhead and thresher sharks are seasonally possible at depth. Large humphead wrasse (napoleon) patrol the structure and schools of barracuda are common.

Tips

• Only accessible by liveaboard (Hurghada or Port Ghalib)
• Often combined with the SS Aida II wreck on Big Brother’s southern tip, also an Anchor Line vessel
• The shallow encrusted bow section (8–12 m) is suitable for wide-angle photography in good light

Safety

Wreck extends well beyond 40 m — plan gas carefully. Strong and unpredictable currents are possible at Big Brother Island. Ascend conservatively and follow your guide’s current briefing.

Sources: Red Sea Wreck Project — SS Numidia, MarsaAlam.com — SS Numidia Guide. Last updated 2026-05-17.