Blue Belt Wreck – Sha'ab Suedi Dive Site
Site Overview
Blue Belt Wreck is a 90-metre cargo ship wrecked in 1974, lying on its starboard side at 5 to 40 metres with massive hydraulic hatch, huge groupers, batfish, lionfish, and penetrable stern holds creating one of the most dramatic wreck dives in the Sudanese Red Sea dive site in the Sha'ab Suedi region of Sudan's Red Sea, situated among the pristine offshore reef systems that make this one of the world's most exclusive and untouched diving destinations. The site features depths from 5 to 40 meters with an average depth of 22 meters, offering an extraordinary underwater experience showcasing the exceptional coral health and dramatic geological formations that Sudan's Red Sea is celebrated for among experienced divers worldwide. Renowned for its exceptional encounters with Giant Grouper, Batfish, Lionfish and other remarkable marine species, Blue Belt Wreck attracts divers seeking thrilling underwater adventures in one of the planet's last great frontier diving destinations. The Sudanese Red Sea creates a stunning underwater landscape of sheer coral walls, isolated seamounts, pristine lagoons, and historic wrecks that provide habitat for incredibly diverse marine communities in waters virtually untouched by mass tourism. The Red Sea's unique geology with its deep rift valley creates dramatic underwater topography with walls descending thousands of metres and pinnacles rising from abyssal depths. These conditions bring nutrient-rich water supporting abundant marine life including schooling hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, manta rays, and vast coral gardens found in few other places on Earth. Visibility typically ranges between 20 and 40 metres with consistently excellent conditions throughout the diving season. Water temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius depending on season making a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit standard equipment. Blue Belt Wreck consistently ranks among the top dive sites in the Sha'ab Suedi region, drawing dedicated liveaboard divers who seek exceptional diving experiences in one of the Red Sea's most pristine and thrilling marine environments combining dramatic underwater landscapes with extraordinary wildlife encounters.
Dive Briefing
"A typical dive at Blue Belt Wreck begins with entry from the liveaboard vessel, descending to the main reef formation at approximately 22 meters while orienting yourself and equalizing before exploring the remarkable Sudanese Red Sea underwater landscape. Once established on the main formation, divers should swim along the reef wall or plateau exploring diverse habitats, moving between coral bommies, overhangs, and sandy channels while maintaining excellent buoyancy control to protect the pristine reef ecosystem below. The most productive depth zone is between 12 and 30 meters where the highest concentration of reef fish species and photographic opportunities are abundant. Navigate along the reef edge watching for pelagic species in the deep blue, and check the overhangs and ledges where grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and larger reef fish shelter from the current. The Red Sea environment requires careful current awareness at exposed pinnacles and reef points, as conditions can change rapidly with tidal shifts. Monitor depth and NDL particularly near 40 meters on the deep walls, and always maintain a conservative approach to dive planning given the remote location and distances to hyperbaric facilities. Scan the blue water for approaching pelagic species including hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and tuna that patrol the reef edges. Conclude the dive with a slow ascent and a generous safety stop at 5 meters, deploying your DSMB before surfacing and signaling the liveaboard crew for pickup."
Signature Marine Life
Giant Grouper
Epinephelus lanceolatus
Best: November, December, January
Batfish
Platax orbicularis
Best: November, December, January
Lionfish
Pterois miles
Best: November, December, January
Moray Eel
Gymnothorax sp.
Best: November, December, January
Gorgonian Sea Fan
Muricella sp.
Best: November, December, January
Soft Coral
Dendronephthya sp.
Best: November, December, January
Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
Best: November, December, January
Napoleon Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Best: November, December, January
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents at offshore pinnacles and reef points requiring DSMB deployment and drift diving experience
- Remote offshore locations with limited emergency medical facilities and extended evacuation times to nearest hyperbaric chamber
- Large predatory sharks including oceanic whitetips and silvertips requiring respectful behaviour and adherence to operator briefings
- Deep wall diving with depths exceeding 40 metres requiring careful depth management and conservative dive planning
- Liveaboard-only access to most sites requiring comfort with extended boat living and open ocean conditions
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Blue Belt Wreck is best suited for Advanced Open Water certified divers with deep diving experience and comfort in open ocean environments with potential strong currents and deep wall diving around exposed formations. The site rewards experienced divers with dramatic deep walls, complex reef systems, and encounters with large pelagic species including schooling hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and seasonal manta rays in one of the Red Sea's most dynamic marine environments. Technical divers will appreciate the depth range and pristine geological formations that showcase the full majesty of the Sudanese underwater landscape. Given the remote liveaboard-only access and distances to hyperbaric facilities, thorough equipment checks, conservative dive planning with extended safety stops, and comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage are essential prerequisites for diving at this advanced site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- M/V Don Questo
- M/V Royal Evolution
- M/V Odyssey
- M/V Sea Serpent
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, wreck
Nearby Stay
Coral Port Sudan Hotel
Port Sudan • 2km away
Red Sea Palace Hotel
Port Sudan • 3km away