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El Mina Wreck - Hurghada Dive Site
El Mina is one of the local wreck references in Hurghada and is better suited to divers already comfortable with wreck briefings, deeper profiles, and a more focused descent.
- Level: Advanced
- Depth range: 16m - 32m
- Travel time: Hurghada harbor wreck route
Dive profile at a glance
Advanced
16m - 32m
Hurghada harbor wreck route
Historic wreck profile
What divers usually notice
- Historic wreck
- Deeper profile
- Briefing-led dive
- Advanced route
Who this dive site suits
An advanced-level dive - recommended for Advanced Open Water divers with good buoyancy, air management and experience in similar profiles.
Dive route profile
El Mina is a former Egyptian minesweeper, sunk close to Hurghada harbour. It sits upright on sand at around 28 to 32 metres, with the main deck between 20 and 25 metres and the upper superstructure shallower. The dive descends a shot line to the bow, swims the length of the wreck along the deck, and returns along the opposite side before ascending for a blue-water safety stop. Penetration is possible for trained wreck divers, but the standard recreational dive is external.
Marine life you may encounter
The wreck has become an artificial reef - large grouper and giant moray live in the superstructure, lionfish are everywhere, and glassfish fill the partially intact corridors. Nudibranchs, scorpionfish and crocodile fish reward careful looking. Pelagics are less common than on offshore reefs, but the wreck itself is the attraction.
Best season to dive this site
Diveable year-round. Visibility can be lower than offshore reefs because of proximity to the harbour, typically 10 to 20 metres. Spring and autumn usually give the cleanest water.
Typical conditions
Current is usually mild but the site is deep, so bottom time is the real constraint. Expect a cooler thermocline near the sand. For non-Nitrox divers the no-decompression window is short; adding Nitrox 32 extends it noticeably.
Planning and practical notes
Diving Star confirms the dive plan on the morning of departure based on wind direction, current and the certification level of divers on board. Two dives per day is standard for daily diving, with a lunch break on board between dives. Equipment rental is EUR 20 per day for certified divers who are not travelling with their own set.
Practical diving tips
Plan your gas around depth, not time. Stay aware of orientation inside any overhang - silt can come up fast. Bring a torch even in daylight: the interior compartments and windows hide most of the marine life. This is a classic dive for anyone training towards PADI Wreck Diver speciality locally.
Other Hurghada dive sites to explore
Want this site on your dive day?
Send a daily diving request with your dates and group size. We confirm the plan within 24 hours - no payment until your booking is confirmed.