Wreck Gubal

The Wreck Gubal is most likely the barge at Bluff Point, located on the eastern side of Gubal Island in the Strait of Gubal. This steel-hulled barge of approximately 35 metres in length lies in 14 metres of water and is one of the most popular night dive sites in the northern Red Sea for liveaboard boats.

Overview

The barge’s origins remain uncertain. Local accounts variously suggest it was sunk during the Arab-Israeli War of 1973, lost while being towed, or represents the remains of a former dive charter vessel. No authoritative source has confirmed its identity. The vessel has deteriorated significantly — there is little superstructure remaining, and the collapsed hull sides expose an interior floor covered with fine sand.

What the site lacks in wreck structure it makes up for in marine life density, particularly after dark. The Bluff Point barge is a renowned night dive: the wreck and its surrounding sand play host to moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, crocodilefish, octopuses, and lobsters emerging from crevices, while cuttlefish hunt over the reef. Daytime dives bring dolphins and turtles in addition to the resident wreck fauna. Position: approximately 27°40′07″N, 33°48′32″E on the eastern side of Gubal Island — coordinates differ slightly from the OSM entry, consistent with database imprecision for this area.

Wreck History

• Identity: Unknown; possibly lost in tow, wartime casualty, or former dive boat — no confirmed source
• Type: Steel barge, approximately 35 m × 6 m
• Depth: 14 m
• Location: Bluff Point, eastern Gubal Island, Strait of Gubal (27°40′07″N, 33°48′32″E)
• Condition: Largely collapsed; no standing superstructure

Dive Profile

• Depth: 14 m maximum
• Entry: Boat only — Gubal Island is uninhabited and remote
• Currents: Mild occasional currents; check conditions
• Night dive: Excellent; one of the most popular liveaboard night dives in the Gubal area

Marine Life

Night: moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, crocodilefish, octopuses, lobsters, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, shrimp. Day: dolphins (occasional), sea turtles, moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, groupers, and reef fish in the surrounding area.

Photography

Night photography is the signature experience here — the wreck’s sand floor is illuminated by torch light to reveal macro life that is invisible during the day. Lionfish and cuttlefish make excellent subjects.

Site Information

• Location: Bluff Point, eastern Gubal Island, Strait of Gubal
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 14 metres

Sources: The Red Sea Wreck Project — Barge at Bluff Point, Bluff Point Wreck — Egypt Liveaboard, ScubaDiving.place — Gubal Barge/Bluff Point. Last updated 2026-05-17.