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DIVING DESTINATIONS
there. The reef of Mesharifa is 800m long and
mainly orientated in northern direction, but
we did not dive here. Snorkeling the area off
the sand bar is really nice as it’s very shallow
and makes a nice change to see all the little life
within all the hard coral.
Simone also got a fun shot in from the yacht’s
mast to give a little perspective on our
surroundings. One must not fear heights in
order to attempt getting up there as you really
do get up very high, pulleyed up by what looks
to be like an oversized baby’s swing seat. You
can see his photo result on page 40.
9. QITA EL BANNA
Date: 14.06.13
Depths: 38.6m
Highlight: Tiger Shark
Back to Qita el Banna and on the first dive we
are met with a Tiger shark! Beautiful speciman,
but I have to say, this was my dive to hate. The
current was very strong on this one and for
reasons still unknown to us, we dove against it.
10. QITA EL BANNA
Date: 14.06.13
Depths: 41.8m
Highlight: 4 Tiger Sharks, 2 Hammerheads and
a Silky.
How is this not another epic dive? Not
one, two or three, but four Tiger sharks and
two Hammerheads on top of a Silky! Our
reputation for shark spotting is growing within
the diving community here. I dare say we
have surpassed our luck of spotting Tigers and
Hammers!
11. SANGANEB SOUTH
Date: 15.06.13
Depths: 45.3m
Highlight: 4 Hammerheads, Bumphead Parrotfish,
shoals of Bigeye Trevally and Black Snappers
to finish.
The Sanganeb reef lies 14 miles northeast
of Port Sudan. This is a very popular site
for divers and the most sought out part is
the southwestern point. There is a plateau
down at 30 meters full of life and colour.
Further below the plateau where the current
flows, there are chances of seeing Scalloped
Hammerheads here and we got to see and
spend time with 4 of them! We then stayed up
closer to the surface for a good time on this
dive photographing with Bumphead Parrotfish
and shoals of Bigeye Trevally and Snappers.
Golden Trevally hang out solo, closer to 5m.
It’s a beautiful site.
SANGANEB LIGHT HOUSE
After our first dive of the day and a hearty
breakfast, we made another land stop, this
time to the Sanganeb Light House which is 15
miles away from Port Sudan. The lighthouse
was built in 1906 by the British to signal to
passing ships of the dangerous reef as at that
time, Sudan was protectorate of the British
Empire. It had initially been a metal pyramid
55m high, then the metal tower was replaced
by the present concrete one.
There was a school visit on during our arrival,
but I don’t think you are often going to see
many visitors here as it is only accessible by
boat. This is worth the visit for the 360˚ view
you get from the top. Be mentally prepared to
climb the 260 steps of the spiral staircase up
to the top, it’s a sweaty climb.
12. UMBRIA – Port Sudan
Date: 15.06.13
Depths: 26.1m
Highlight: The entire wreck is awesome and
has a reputation for being one of the best in
the world!
The Umbria is an absolutely awesome wreck
to dive! She measures 153m long which is a
lot bigger in comparison to her competitor,
the Thistlegorm (128m). The cargo ship was
built in 1911 and could carry 2,000 passengers
and 9,000 tons of cargo. The ship sank as a
result to the Umbria’s Italian skipper, Captain
Lorenzo Muiesan, scuttling the ship to avoid it
falling into the hands of the British who were
stationed in Port Sudan. Italy had just declared
war and on the 10 th of June 1940, the crew
sunk the Umbria just outside Port Sudan by
the Windgate Reef to avoid the enemy seizing
their explosive cargo and using it against their
country. She lies on her portside with the
deepest depths being at 27m at the bow and
stern and rises to 5m around the bridge area.
The cargo holds are easily accessible and in
addition to all the munitions onboard, divers
can see storage jars, wine bottles, cement bags,
Fiat cars, pizza ovens and rolls of electrical
cables. This wreck is in great condition and we
only hope for it to stay that way. There is so
much to explore in and around this wreck and
the exterior is covered in soft coral making it a
must for photographers.
13. UMBRIA – Port Sudan
Date: 15.06.13
Depths: 12m
Highlight: Night dive.
First night dive of the trip. Lots of sleeping
Parrotfish about. This was also the first time
we came into contact with other divers.
14. UMBRIA – Port Sudan
Date: 16.06.13
Depths: 27m
Highlight: Penetration dive
As with all wreck dives, make sure you have
done a speciality course to give you the basics
and understanding of how to go about diving
a wreck as technique can be slightly different
and make sure to dive this one with someone
who knows it as it is huge. The Umbria has
had one fatality a year due to solo divers going
52 DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SEPTEMBER 2013
SEPTEMBER 2013, DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 53