SS Turkia Wreck — A Hidden Gem of the Northern Red Sea

The SS Turkia is one of the most unusual and rarely visited shipwrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea. Lying far north of the traditional liveaboard routes, in the Gulf of Suez near Zafarana, this historic World War II cargo ship offers a completely different wreck diving experience from the better-known sites of the Northern Red Sea. At around 91 metres long, the SS Turkia is an impressive sight underwater. The wreck lies upright on a sandy seabed, with the shallowest parts beginning at approximately 10 metres and the bottom reaching around 24 metres. Its relatively shallow position allows divers to spend considerable time exploring the ship, while the remote location gives the dive a genuine feeling of exploration.

The History of SS Turkia

The ship was built in 1909 at Earles Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. in Hull, England, originally entering service as the SS Livorno. She was a 1,671-ton steam cargo ship measuring approximately 91.5 metres in length and 13 metres in beam, powered by a triple-expansion steam engine and a single propeller. During her early career, Livorno operated on European routes and survived the First World War. In 1935 the vessel was sold to Greek owners and renamed Turkia. Her final voyage began in New York in May 1941, during the Second World War. The ship was carrying a mixed cargo that included industrial materials, vehicles, tyres, metal products, ammunition and explosives. Because the Mediterranean route was unavailable, she travelled around the Cape of Good Hope and entered the Red Sea on her way to Piraeus, Greece. On 17 May 1941, while in the northern Red Sea near Zafarana lighthouse, a fire broke out in one of the cargo holds. The crew abandoned the ship, and shortly afterwards the cargo exploded. The SS Turkia sank rapidly and came to rest on the seabed in the Gulf of Suez.

Diving the SS Turkia

The wreck is particularly interesting because much of its overall structure remains recognisable. Divers can explore the bow, stern, cargo holds, superstructure and accommodation areas, while the surrounding seabed contains numerous pieces of the ship's original cargo and debris. Among the most interesting features reported on the wreck are coils of wire, vehicle tyres and remains of vehicles, as well as other cargo associated with her wartime voyage. Some areas of the wreck can be penetrated by suitably trained and experienced divers, although penetration should always be approached conservatively and according to current conditions and the diver's training. The relatively shallow maximum depth of approximately 24 metres makes the SS Turkia accessible to appropriately certified recreational divers, while its size and interior areas provide plenty to explore over several dives. Underwater, the wreck has become an artificial reef supporting marine life typical of the northern Red Sea. Divers may encounter schools of reef fish, groupers, barracuda and other species around the hull and structure, with marine growth gradually covering parts of the ship.

SS Turkia vs. SS Thistlegorm

The SS Turkia is sometimes compared with the legendary SS Thistlegorm, and there are good reasons for the comparison: both are historic steam cargo ships lost during World War II while carrying wartime supplies, and both preserve fascinating traces of their original cargo. However, the two wrecks offer very different experiences. Thistlegorm is considerably more famous and receives regular visits from liveaboards, while SS Turkia remains remote and rarely visited. The absence of the usual crowds is one of the major attractions of the site. For divers who have already explored the classic Northern Red Sea wrecks and are looking for something genuinely different, SS Turkia offers a much stronger sense of adventure and discovery.

Why SS Turkia Is So Special

The location is a major part of the experience. SS Turkia is well outside the standard Hurghada liveaboard routes, and reaching the wreck requires a significant northbound expedition. There are no regular crowds of dive boats around the site, making every visit feel more like a dedicated wreck expedition than a conventional safari dive. The site is also strongly dependent on weather and sea conditions. Strong northerly winds can make the journey from Hurghada impractical, while the remote location and lack of permanent moorings or markers require careful navigation and local knowledge. For this reason, SS Turkia is not included in ordinary weekly liveaboard itineraries. At Sadko, we visit the wreck as part of our special The Ultimate North expedition, a signature route operated only once or twice a year.

SS Turkia Diving with Sadko

Our The Ultimate North safari is designed specifically to combine SS Turkia with the major highlights of the Northern Red Sea, including Northern Wrecks, Ras Mohammed, the Straits of Tiran, Dahab, Safaga, Thistlegorm and Salem Express. The SS Turkia section of the expedition is subject to suitable weather and sea conditions. The captain makes the final decision regarding the passage and the dive site based on navigation and safety considerations. If conditions are unsuitable, the itinerary may need to be changed. This is precisely what makes a visit to SS Turkia different from an ordinary wreck dive: it is an expedition to one of the Red Sea's most remote recreational-diving wrecks, rather than simply another stop on a standard safari route.