Carnatic Wreck

The Carnatic is a heavily encrusted 19th-century wooden-hulled British steamship wreck resting on its port side on Sha'ab Abu Nuhas reef in the Gulf of Suez. Broken in two with recognizable bow and stern and a scattered midsection, the site offers an intact frame, rich soft corals and abundant marine life, including schooling glassfish, making it one of the most frequently visited wrecks in the area. Access is by boat using mooring buoys and shotlines; divers typically descend beside the wreck and follow it from stern to bow. Decks lie around 20–28 m with some structure rising toward the surface (site depths roughly 5–28 m). Visibility is generally high and water temperatures range from the low 20s °C in winter to the upper 20s °C in summer. Currents are usually mild on the reef though strong winds and surge on the exposed outside can sometimes suspend diving; the sandy bottom and reef top provide good light for photography. The site is accessible to Open Water certified divers for a standard dive; hull penetration is possible but should only be attempted by trained divers following safe wreck-diving procedures due to sharp and unstable wreckage (metal beams, cables and broken glass). The Carnatic struck Sha'ab Abu Nuhas in September 1869 and sank the next day while carrying wine, cotton, copper and bullion, earning the nickname 'the Wine Wreck.' Over time the wooden superstructure has decayed, exposing the steel frame; divers commonly explore the engine room and inner chambers and emerge through open holds onto the reef. No special permits or restrictions are normally required beyond standard Red Sea marine park regulations.