Scuba Diving in Giannis D

The Giannis D started its career as the Shoyo Maru, built in Japan in 1969, and sailed under that name until 1975 when it was sold and renamed as the Markos. In 1980, the ship was sold to a Greek shipping company and renamed the Giannis D. Its final, fateful journey began in Croatia in 1983. En route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with a load of timber, the Giannis D sailed through the Suez Canal and along the Sinai Peninsula, heading for the Red Sea. With engines set to full speed, it suddenly struck Sha’ab Abu Nuhas, a treacherous reef, which just barely reaches the surface. The reef is well known and marked on most nautical maps, but can still be difficult to spot, especially in strong sunlight. 

The entire wreck can be seen from either end because of good visibility. It is broken up in the Center, but the bow and stern remain intact. At the stern on the sea floor there is a point where penetration allows you to travel up towards the top of the wreck to a pocket of trapped air. You will need to leave by the same hole which you entered. At the bow you can see where the boat had been renamed, with the old name just visible under a layer of paint. Expect to see glassfish, scorpionfish, angelfish, bumphead wrasse and a napoleon fish. The dive can be finished by traversing the reef, or by climbing up the mast, which rises up to only four metres below the surface.