El Mina / El Minya

El Mina (El Minya) is a Soviet-built Type T-43 minesweeper wreck lying on its port side, roughly 60-70 m long, and is a popular artificial-reef wreck dive. The intact hull and deck machinery, including anti-aircraft guns, winches and minesweeping gear, form the primary features; sponges and resident fauna such as lionfish and glassfish often shelter in its openings. Dives typically run from about 17-18 m at the bomb-damaged bow to 30-32 m at the stern. Moderate to strong currents, often northerly, are common; visibility can reach 20-30 m in good conditions but is frequently reduced by nearby harbour sediments. Water temperatures are typically in the mid-20s °C year-round. Entry and exit are from a dive boat moored on the wreck’s shotline using a descent/ascent line, and the site is accessed by a short 10-15 minute boat ride from central Hurghada. Penetration is limited to a blast hole into a central passage and is generally not advised beyond that due to confined spaces, silt and low light. Significant hazards include sharp metal edges and live ordnance, and the combination of depth and potential currents makes the site best suited to advanced divers. The ship is a Soviet-built Type T-43 minesweeper that was bombed by Israeli aircraft in the late 1960s and now rests on a sandy-rocky bottom on its port side; a blast hole and scattered debris such as ammunition shells are notable features on and around the wreck.