WHERE ARE WE DIVING?
Today we are scuba diving in Saudi Arabia at the Georgios G Wreck!
HOW DO WE GET TO THE GEORGIOS WRECK?
To go diving in Saudi Arabia at the Georgios G Wreck, you should fly to Tabuk city then hire a driver (or rent a car). You will take the Haql-Tabuk highway and after that, you’ll have to head around 55km south of Haql city which will take about 3 hours.
The bay where the wreck lays is called Ras Al-Mashee. The wreck is known as the Saudi Titanic, or ‘Safinat Haql’ which stands for the ‘boat of Haql’ in Arabic.
WHY ARE WE GOING?
The Georgios G shipwreck (max. 25m) is best known for being one of the best places to dive in the northern parts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a half-sunken shipwreck with a stunning beach and mountain backdrop.
The ship was built in England and launched in 1958 before running into the reef in 1978, where it then caught on fire while technicians were trying to restart the engine. It was carrying a cargo of flour at the time of its sinking. This dive is very interesting because the Georgios G shipwreck is quite the hidden gem in the northern city of Haql in Saudi Arabia. The shipwreck is known as “The Titanic of Saudi Arabia” by the locals, where it rests on a drop-off.
TELL ME MORE
The wreck of the Georgios G is very close to the shore. You do not need a boat for this dive, and it is about a 20-meter swim to the wreck.
This area is famous for clear water, moray eels, lionfish, barracudas, sand tiger sharks, and garden eels.
DO I NEED ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT?
A rash guard/skin-suit or a 2mm suit should do the trick. It is handy to have a torch as it is dark inside the wreck. You should only go into the wreck if you are certified for this, and are carrying a reel.
Please note that you should respect the local culture here and dress appropriately even when swimming or snorkeling around here.
WHAT LEVEL CERTIFICATION SHOULD I BE?
To go diving Saudi Arabia at the Georgios G Wreck, you should be an Advanced level diver. I recommend this due to the depth of the wreck (past 18 meters). It is also good to have the Wreck Speciality certification so that you can go inside the wreck safely. I highly recommend you hire a local divemaster to guide you to the dive site and around it.
See what divers should always do for their own safety here.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?
Usually, the temperature is around 20°C + and there is no current. The visibility is awesome and usually over 30 meters!
I would recommend diving at the end of the summer but I have dived here all year round.
HOW MUCH WILL I SPEND?
Diving here at the Georgios G Wreck is free if you have all equipment. You should budget for a local guide however.
WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?
In the city of Haql you will find hostels and accommodation.
WHAT DO WE DO ON SURFACE INTERVALS?
Around here you can go fishing, enjoy the sunset, snorkel between dives or enjoy the desert.