Salem Express

On 15 December 1991, the Salem Express hit the Hyndeman reef, south of Sha’ab Shehr. The Salem Express carried 960 pilgrims returning from Mecca.

Up to 1600 passengers were on board; only 180 survived.

Regardless of the human tragedy, recreational diving is allowed here. The wreck rests in 30 meters of Red Sea water. Diving this maritime grave is deemed controversial. Out of piety, sone divers do not enter the ship.

There’s not much flora and fauna here. Coral growth is not really significant. Still, moon groupers, common lionfish, crocodile fish and black surgeonfish can be seen here.

Finding site: easy

Visibility: good to excellent

Current: weak

Dive difficulty: easy

Photographic interest: high

Marine Life: medium

Type of wreck: ferry

Wreck position: south of Hyndman reef

Minimum depths: 10 meters

Maximum depth: 30 metres