Sudan Northern Route

Umbria wreck

The Umbria is said to be one of the most beautiful wrecks in the world and came to rest on her port side at Wingate Reef. She was an Italian freighter and rests at only 45 minutes sailing from Port Sudan.

In May 1940, the Umbria set sail from Naples with a cargo of 360,000 bombs in preparation for Italy joining the Second World War. On the 9th June, when close to Port Sudan, HMS Grimsby forced the Umbria to anchor close to shore for an inspection of her cargo. After the captain heard the news that Italy was now at war with Britain he scuttled the ship and she sank to the bottom of Wingate Reef where she is lying perfectly protected inside the reef.

This 150m wreck lies at a max 40m over on her port side, her starboard side just breaking the surface. Spanish Dancers, crabs, lobsters and small octopus have made their homes here and sharks are often seen prowling in open water. She is a beautiful wreck and hasn't been spoilt by divers or 'brass seekers'. You can dive into her cargo holds and marvel at the amount of wine and bombs she was carrying. You can also look at the huge coral encrusted brass propellers or you can swim through the engine rooms, corridors and cabins.The Umbria is a wreck that all levels of divers will enjoy

Sha'ab Rumi

Some 25 miles North East from Port Sudan the reef here has a plateau at 9metres and a steep drop-off.

This is where Jacques Cousteau and his team mounted an underwater base in order to study the effects of long term underwater stays of a diver once he was fully saturated with all the gases in his body. Hence the underwater expedition called 'Precontinent II' was set up in 1963.

The incredible outcome of this expedition was that once fully saturated, the diver could conceivably stay down forever given enough air to breath but what is truly incredible is that this experiment took place in 1963, by scientists who obviously had knowledge well beyond their years.

The remains of his expedition are still at this site and it is well worth a dive to take a look at the equipment which was left behind.

South of Sha'ab Rumi is a plateau which is about 23m deep. Here you will find numerous sharks, barracudas, jack fish, humphead parrot fish and almost anything else that you can imagine!

Sha'ab Rumi is a 'must' for all visitors!

Angarosh

Angarosh means 'Mother of Sharks' and is appropriately named because of the number of sharks to be found in this area. The reef has two plateaus, the shallower plateau going down to 25m and another plateau going down to 45m. It is a superb dive site to see and take pictures of sharks as they swim effortlessly around you , Also schooling of Barracuda may be seen here but the site is most famous for its Manta Ray.

Sanganeb

Sanganeb is found about one and a half hours north of the "Umbria". This reef rises from 800m depth to the surface.

The Sanganeb coral reef is truly a beautiful place to dive or snorkel. The reef itself, has one of the richest coral displays in the Red Sea.

The British built lighthouse is situated on the reef and close by there are caves and gullies for the avid diver to visit. There are two Sudanese men who take it in turns to live in the lighthouse (they rotate every 4/5 weeks) and love to welcome visitors. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse and look out over the coral reef which is crystal clear and an incredible sight to see.

The South plateau on Sanganeb is a fabulous dive and soft and hard corals with schooling Jack, Barracuda, Tuna and Snapper are abundant. Grey reef sharks cruise close by you with the occasional White Tip reef shark swimming past. There are sometimes Hammerheads, Silky and Oceanic White Tips here as well as occasional Manta rays.

The North plateau is an outstanding dive. This is a deep dive with a lower plateau at 45m where schooling Hammerheads are common. It is normal to see Grey Reef Sharks, Silvertips and White tips here. Where the boat anchors inside the lagoon there is often a huge pod of dolphins and it is normal to snorkel amongst them

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Merlo

1,2 mile south-west of Angarosh lies a reef called Merlo Reef. This reef is surrounded by soft and hard corals and the reef itself is above sea water sloping down to about 450 meters.

At the northern site of the reef is a plateau. Lovely hard and soft corals can be seen.

A wreck of a live aboard dive boat called "the Freedom" ran aground here. White tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks and hammerhead sharks can all be seen gliding around the reef waters.

Abington

Marked by a lighthouse this reef only just breaks the surface. The reef is rectangular with strong currents to be found.

If you like turtles then Abington reef is the place. They are truly delightful and seem to always enjoy having their photograph taken!

The reef is also well known to see schooling hammerhead sharks.

Mesharifa

Mesharifa is in shallow waters protected by two reefs.

It is here that you will see large groups of Manta Rays. To swim with these enormous friendly creatures is an experience that you will never forget.

About 25 miles south of here is the wreck of the Blue Bell, known affectionately as 'the wreck of the Toyota's'

The Blue Bell

The Blue Bell sailed from Jeddah for Port Sudan on December 1st, 1977 with a cargo of Japanese cars. She’s known by Toyota Wreck.

The next day the ship struck Sha'b Suadi Reef. Thankfully the crew were safely rescued but The Blue Bell was not and on December 5th, 1977 she slipped off the reef and sank along with her cargo.

It is believed that the ship crashed because of a navigational error in poor visibility.