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Dive Site

Abu Galawa Kebir

  • Current: N/W in the morning, N/E at midday, O in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 20–30 m; M, J, J, A: 30–40 m; S, O, N, D: 30 m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 25–27°C; A, M, J: 27–29°C; J, A, S: 30–31°C; O, N, D: 31–27°C
  • Depth: 30 m
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Dive Site

Overview

The time has come for us to dive a wreck once again! The Chinese tugboat Tien Hsing sunk at Abu Galawa Kebir on 26 October 1943. Measuring approx. 34 metres in length, the stern of the wreck lies at a depth of 17 metres and the tip of the bow peaks above the waves at low tide. In addition, Abu Galawa Kebir is a popular and safe mooring point for many safari boats travelling around this area.

Description

We can discover the Red Sea in all its splendour at Abu Galawa Kebir – a great diving spot with some lagoons and neighbouring reefs. In addition to the Rosalie Moller and the Numidia, the Tien Hsing counts among the most lushly covered shipwrecks in the Red Sea. The harbour tugboat only served for a short period – built in 1935 in Shanghai, sank in 1943. We will find the Tien Hsing behind the channel of the west side of the reef.

Warning: The vegetation is so dense and full on the wreck's port side that we often don't even recognise it as being a wreck! 'Oops, that's a ship!' is the first thing that goes through our minds when on the starboard side. In addition to the Tien Hsing, there's also fascinating coral gardens with mountain coral and table coral for us to find at Abu Galawa Kebir. A great location for night dives during which we can also see blue-ringed octopus. They´re just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful creatures!

Hotspots

  • Blue-ringed octopus: With a little luck, we will discover these creatures on our night dive, namely in the coral garden.
  • Wreck: The Tien Hsing doesn't like revealing itself, but sadly it can't really disguise itself as a 'normal reef' anymore on the starboard side.
  • Blue staghorn coral: During our dive, we see this coral over and over again. This coral's wonderful reflections of light are caused by larger polyps at the branch tips.

map Dive Plans

The west

When the weather is good and there are not many waves, it is best to dive straight from the boat towards the lagoon. Inside there is a small hole in the wall that leads into the almost mystically overgrown lagoon. In the back there is an erg with a circular "hat". To the west comes a beautifully overgrown canal at a depth of 4m. Halfway you have to go over a small increase. In the first lagoon on the left you have to go over the corals after 50m and you are almost back at the boat.

The Thien Hsing

The wreck is in excellent condition. The time and the water have so far hardly harmed him. Take a look at everything and be amazed at the diversity of life in this wreck!

Night dive

At night, Abu Galawa Kebir is a very easy dive site. Simply dive west on the south side of the northern reef to the coral gardens. Over a distance of 30m you will find everything you need for a leisurely night dive - with a lot of luck even exotic species such as blue-spotted octopus that are just 6cm tall. Definitely prawns, crabs, sleeping parrot fish and snails.