The History and Sinking of the SS Thistlegorm
The SS Thistlegorm was a British Merchant Navy armed freighter, launched in 1940 and built for one purpose: keeping Allied forces supplied during World War II. At 128 metres (420 feet) long, she was loaded to capacity at Glasgow and sent on a long route to Alexandria — south around the Cape of Good Hope and back up through the Red Sea, because the Mediterranean was too dangerous. She never made it.
In October 1941, while anchored at “Safe Anchorage F” near the entrance of the Gulf of Suez, waiting for the Suez Canal to clear, she was spotted by German Heinkel He-111 bombers operating out of Crete. On the night of October 6th, two bombs struck cargo hold No. 4 — packed with ammunition. The blast ripped the stern off the ship.
She went down in minutes, taking nine crew members with her.
Rediscovery by Jacques Cousteau
The wreck sat undisturbed until 1955, when Jacques Cousteau located it with help from local fishermen. He recovered several artefacts — including a motorcycle and the captain’s safe — for his documentary The Silent World. What he didn’t do was publish the coordinates.
The Thistlegorm was lost again for nearly 40 years, until the liveaboard diving boom out of Sharm El Sheikh in the early 1990s brought her back to the surface of the diving world’s consciousness. She’s been one of the most dived wrecks on the planet ever since.
Wreck Specifications and Layout
Before you plan a trip diving the ss thistlegorm, understand what you’re dealing with.
- Length: 128 metres (420 feet)
- Maximum depth: 30–32 metres (100–105 feet)
- Shallowest point: Bridge, approximately 12–15 metres (40–50 feet)
- Orientation: Upright on a sandy bottom — with the exception of the blast-damaged stern, which created a debris field of twisted metal
- Visibility: Typically 15–30 metres
- Currents: Significant. The wreck sits in the Strait of Gubal, exposed to open water current. Serious mid-water; the wreck itself provides shelter once you’re down.
- Water temperature: 22°C (72°F) in winter to 29°C (84°F) in late summer
What You Will See diving the ss thistlegorm: The Cargo
The primary reason divers flock to the Thistlegorm is its “time capsule” cargo. Unlike many wrecks that were stripped or salvaged, the Thistlegorm remains packed with World War II equipment:
- BSA M20 and Norton 16H Motorcycles: Found in the upper and lower holds, often still lined up in rows.
- Bedford and Ford WOT Trucks: Massive vehicles stacked on top of one another.
- Bren Gun Carriers: Small armored tracked vehicles.
- Rifles: Crates of Lee-Enfield rifles are visible in the holds.
- Aircraft Parts: Two Bristol Blenheim bomber wings and spare parts.
- Locomotives: Two LMS Stanier Class 8F steam locomotives were blown off the deck during the explosion and lie on the seabed on either side of the ship.
- Personal Items: Wellington Boots (wellies) and spare tires are scattered throughout.
The Diving Experience
Because of the distance from Sharm El Sheikh (about 3-4 hours by boat), most day-trip boats depart very early, often at 4:00 AM or 5:00 AM. Liveaboards are the preferred method for many, as they allow for multiple dives on the wreck, including night dives for the highly experienced.
First Dive: The Orientation
The first dive is typically an orientation dive where you explore the outside of the wreck. This dive sets your bearings for the penetration dives that follow. Don’t rush it — knowing where the hatches are, where the anchor line is, and how the current while diving the ss thistlegorm is time well spent.
Second Dive: The Penetration
The second dive focuses on the holds. Divers enter through the hatches into Hold No. 1 and No. 2. Because the ship is so large, these holds are cavernous and generally safe for those with Advanced Open Water training, provided they have good buoyancy. Navigating through the rows of trucks and motorcycles is a surreal experience that feels like walking through a flooded museum. Torch essential.
Marine Life While Diving The SS Thistlegorm
While the metal and history are the stars, the Thistlegorm has become a thriving artificial reef.
- Schooling Fish: Massive schools of batfish, barracuda, and jacks often hang in the current above the wreck.
- Resident Giants: Large Malabar groupers are often seen hiding in the engine room or under the hull.
- Macro Life: Nudibranchs and pipefish cling to the rusted railings.
- Predators: It is common to see crocodilefish on the decks and occasional reef sharks cruising the perimeter.
Getting Down: The Anchor Line
There’s no other practical way to dive the Thistlegorm. The wreck sits in the Strait of Gubal, exposed to open-water current, and mid-water there is no structure to shelter you. The descent line is your lifeline — thick, fixed, and non-negotiable. Use it going down, use it going up, and plan your safety stop around it because the mid-water current can be punishing at 5 metres without a reference point. On a liveaboard, the boat typically tries to moor on the stern side.
Once you’re on the wreck, the superstructure shelters you from the current. You can move between the helm, the engine room, and the cargo holds with relative ease. Stray above the deck in open water and you’re working against the current again.
Day Trips vs Liveaboard
Day boats from Sharm El Sheikh take roughly 3–4 hours to reach the Thistlegorm, meaning first entry is typically around 8:00–10:00 AM. By that point, on a busy day, there can be multiple boats moored on the site simultaneously. The holds get crowded. Visibility inside the holds drops as silt gets disturbed. Liveaboards are on site earlier — before the day boats arrive. This is not a small advantage. An early morning dive on the Thistlegorm before the crowds is a fundamentally different experience.
You also get the surface interval aboard a stable vessel rather than a small day boat, and the return journey doesn’t cut into your dive time. For a wreck of this complexity and depth, a Northern Red Sea liveaboard itinerary is the right platform. Check out our full guide if you want to compare Red Sea shore vs liveaboard.
What Certification and Experience Do You Actually Need
- Minimum: PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent). This gets you to the depth and gives you the navigation and deep diving training you need.
- Recommended: 30+ logged dives, with at least some experience diving in current and ideally some previous wreck experience. A PADI Wreck Diver specialty is not required to dive the Thistlegorm — most operators will take you into the forward holds with a guide even without it — but understanding wreck diving principles before you get in the water is not optional.
- Nitrox: Strongly recommended. Diving at 28–32 metres on air gives you a compressed bottom time. Nitrox 32% extends your no-deco limit meaningfully and reduces post-dive fatigue across multiple dives in a day. If your liveaboard offers EANx fills, use them.
Skills You Need Before You Get on That Boat
This is where most guides go quiet. They tell you what certification you need. They don’t tell you what skills you need. The difference matters on the Thistlegorm. I’ve watched groups move through those holds and turn them into sandstorms. Divers hovering slightly above the deck, getting swept by current because the wreck isn’t sheltering them anymore. Divers running low on air because they’ve been working hard and burning through it.
A diver separated from their group in the hold, unsure which hatch leads back to the anchor line. These are not beginner mistakes. These happen to certified divers who just haven’t refined their fundamentals.
Before you dive the Thistlegorm, genuinely nail these:
Buoyancy and trim
Horizontal body position is non-negotiable in the holds. Fins close to the ceiling inside a cargo hold will destroy visibility for everyone behind you and risk damaging structure that’s been sitting there since 1941. If you’re still using your hands or arching your back to stay level, do a buoyancy dive before this trip.
Fin technique
The frog kick and back kick are your tools inside a wreck. Frog kick for forward momentum without disturbing silt. Back kick to stop or reverse. Practise both until they’re automatic — not something you have to think about while you’re also navigating a hold full of trucks.
Air consumption and awareness
At 28–32 metres you burn through air faster than you expect, especially if you’re excited or working against any current. Know your personal air consumption rate. Turn the dive at the agreed pressure — not after. Running low on air before the rest of the group can complicate things, so make sure you are prepared for the dive. Not to put any pressure on you, just being honest here.
Ascent & descent discipline
The anchor line ascent from this depth, with potential mid-water current, requires calm and control. Review controlled ascent rates and safety stop procedure before this dive. Our scuba diving ascents and descents guide walks through the full technique.
Torch use while diving the ss thistlegorm
Bring your own if you have one, and know how to use it without blinding your buddy or shining it directly at the cargo. Directed light into the rows of bikes and trucks is what makes the holds come alive.
How to Reach the Wreck
– From Sharm El Sheikh: The most common departure point. Long day trips often include breakfast and lunch.
– From Hurghada: Some day boats operate from here, but it is a longer and potentially rougher crossing across the Strait of Gubal.
– Red Sea Liveaboards: This is the gold standard. Most “Northern Red Sea” itineraries spend a full day or more at the Thistlegorm, allowing for a night dive when the wreck takes on a haunting, ethereal atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit
Diving is possible year-round, but spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the best balance of comfortable air temperatures and warm water. During the peak summer months, it can be extremely hot on the deck of the boat, while winter months can see choppy seas that make the crossing difficult. Here is our Best Time to Dive the Red Sea: A Month-by-Month Guide.
Conservation and Ethics
The SS Thistlegorm is a war grave. Hundreds of divers visit every day, which has led to significant wear and tear. To preserve this site for future generations:
- Never take souvenirs.
- Practice perfect buoyancy to avoid kicking up silt or hitting the wreck.
- Follow the “Look but don’t touch” rule strictly.
- Support operators who use permanent moorings rather than dropping anchors, which can smash the wooden decks.
In conclusion before diving the ss thistlegorm
The SS Thistlegorm is one of those dives that justifies a long-haul flight on its own. Two bombs on the night of October 6th, 1941 created an underwater museum that still has the power to stop experienced divers in their tracks.
But it rewards preparation.
- Get your buoyancy dialled in.
- Learn your fin techniques.
- Book a liveaboard itinerary that gives you more than one dive on the site.
- Arrive knowing roughly where the holds are and what you’re looking for.
Do that, and you’ll come back up the anchor line understanding exactly why divers have been making this trip for thirty years.
