List of shipwreck sites which are popular amongst scuba divers for wreck diving, arranged by geographical distribution.
List of shipwreck sites which are popular amongst scuba divers for wreck diving, arranged by geographical distribution.
The Umbria Wreck ( Sudan) The Umbria wreck is considered one of the most famous wreck diving sites in the world, owing to its massive size, mysterious history, and fascinating cargo. This Italian vessel was constructed in Hamburg, Germany, in 1912. The circumstances of its sinking remain a matter of historical debate. Some accounts claim that the captain deliberately scuttled the ship to prevent it from falling into British hands, while other sources suggest it was under threat from a German submarine, leading to its sinking.
The ship sank—or was scuttled—on June 9, 1940, during the early days of Italy’s entry into World War II, while en route to East Africa. It was covertly carrying a large military cargo estimated at over 300,000 bombs, in addition to various weapons and supplies intended for Italian forces.
Today, the wreck lies in shallow waters off the Sudanese coast, specifically at Wingate Reef near Port Sudan, at depths ranging from 5 to 35 meters, making it accessible to most recreational divers. The site is renowned for its exceptional underwater visibility, which can reach up to 30 meters, providing stunning and unobstructed views of the ship’s structure. Fully exploring the wreck typically requires at least three dives, due to its immense size and the presence of five large cargo holds, many of which still contain original items such as bombs, timber, and crates of wine.
The Toyota Wreck (Blue Belt Wreck) - Sudan In 1977, the Blue Belt cargo ship collided with Sha’ab Suedi Reef, one of the most prominent dive sites along Sudan’s Red Sea coast, resulting in the vessel's sinking at the site. The accident caused its cargo—composed of Toyota-brand cars and trucks—to plunge to the seafloor, where the wreck remains to this day. The site is widely known among divers as The Toyota Wreck, and it is considered a unique dive location that combines historical intrigue with ecological richness.
On The Underwater and Diving Video Channel on YouTube, several daring divers explored and captured close-up footage of the remnants of the ship and its cargo. While the Japanese steel used in the vehicle bodies has long since corroded, the plastic components have surprisingly endured. Seats, dashboards, and front grills now encrusted with corals serve as lasting underwater monuments to the sunken vehicles.
Continental Shelf Station Two (Conshelf II)-Sudan Between 1962 and 1965, the renowned French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau constructed three underwater habitats as part of an ambitious project aimed at proving the feasibility of human habitation in underwater villages at varying depths. Although two of these structures were later dismantled, Continental Shelf Station Two—also known as Conshelf II—remains the only physical remnant of this pioneering experiment. It was established in 1963 near Sha’ab Rumi reef.
Cousteau documented this remarkable endeavor in his award-winning 1964 Oscar-winning documentary “World Without Sun”, which captured the experience of six aquanauts living for thirty days in a star-shaped underwater habitat located at a depth of ten meters. The mission was supported by a surface team that provided essential life support services, including air, water, food, and energy.
Despite the scientific and technical success of the project, Cousteau later chose not to pursue this path further, as he feared it would ultimately serve the interests of the oil industry. Instead, he devoted the rest of his life to the protection of the world’s oceans.
Today, divers can visit the remains of Conshelf II, where the six-meter-wide star-shaped metal structure still lies on the white sandy seabed at a depth of 13 meters. Coral and marine life have colonized the site, transforming it into a thriving artificial reef. Slightly deeper lie the old shark cages, which have likewise become rich habitats—silent witnesses to a groundbreaking scientific experiment that took place over half a century ago (Adil Sidahmed. Ahmed, 2025).