Umbria Wreck: WWII History You Can Dive in Port Sudan

In June 1940, as Italy prepared to enter the Second World War, the captain of an Italian liner anchored off Port Sudan made a decision that sealed her fate: he opened her seacocks and sank his own ship rather than hand her to the British. Today the Umbria wreck lies on her port side in water no deeper than 36 meters, is consistently ranked among the best wreck dives in the world — and sits less than an hour by boat from Port Sudan's harbor.

The Story of the 1940 Scuttling

The Umbria was a 150-meter Italian passenger and cargo liner, loaded on her final voyage with a full wartime cargo: hundreds of thousands of bombs and rounds of ammunition, brand-new Fiat cars, and sacks of cement, bound for Italy's East African colonies. When Italy declared war on 10 June 1940, she was anchored at Wingate Reef inside Port Sudan's harbor, and the British demanded her surrender. Captain Lorenzo Muiesa chose the most dramatic option available: he ordered the seacocks opened and scuttled his own ship, even as British sailors prepared to board her.

The irony is that the ammunition never went off. The ship settled quietly on her side, and her cargo — bombs, cars, cement — was preserved underwater exactly as it was loaded more than eighty years ago, turning the wreck into a war museum visited by divers instead of historians.

What Will You See Inside the Wreck?

• The Fiat cars: Fiat 1100s still standing in the cargo holds, tires and seats intact — one of the most famous underwater sights anywhere.
• The ammunition: crates and bombs stacked in the forward holds (strictly look, never touch).
• Cement sacks: hardened by seawater into strange, sculpted blocks.
• Kitchenware and bottles: everyday traces of the crew scattered through the ship's rooms.
• Engine and boiler rooms: the vast engine spaces are penetrable for properly trained wreck divers.

Penetrating the holds is relatively straightforward — the ship lies on her side and the corridors are wide — but it is still a genuine wreck penetration: discipline, a good light, and a guide are essential.

Depths and Experience Level

One of the Umbria's greatest virtues is how accessible she is. The top of the wreck (her raised starboard side) begins at just 5 meters, and the sandy bottom sits at around 36. In practice:

• Open Water divers can enjoy the upper structure between 10 and 25 meters.
• Advanced divers can drop to the propeller and stern at the seabed.
• Hold penetrations are best done with a guide and at least intermediate experience.

Visibility is usually good and currents mild inside the anchorage, making this a comfortable dive even on days when exposed sites like Sanganeb are choppy.

Why the Umbria Ranks Among the World's Best Wreck Dives

Dive magazines and site-ranking platforms consistently place the Umbria in the global top tier — not just in the Red Sea. The secret is a rare combination: a huge, structurally intact wreck; depths open to every certification level; warm water and good visibility most of the year; a documented historical cargo; and almost no crowds. While divers queue up at famous Egyptian wrecks, you may well have the entire Umbria to yourselves.

Snorkeling Over the Wreck

Because the top of the ship lies only a few meters down, snorkelers can take in the whole wreck from the surface: the mast, the ventilation shafts and the coral-encrusted hull all show clearly in good visibility. That makes an Umbria trip perfect for mixed groups — divers and snorkelers on the same boat, each seeing their own version of history.

Marine Life Around the Wreck

Eighty years underwater have turned the Umbria into a thriving artificial reef. The hull is wrapped in soft and hard corals, clouds of fusiliers, sweepers and snapper move through her openings, and large jacks hunt off the bow. Lionfish and scorpionfish hide among the debris — watch your hands. In season, turtles and rays pass through the surrounding flats.

How to Visit the Umbria on a Day Trip

The wreck lies practically inside Port Sudan's harbor area, and the boat ride takes no more than 30–45 minutes. A typical day trip includes two dives on the wreck (or one on the Umbria and one on a nearby reef), with gear and a guide included. See our Umbria trip page for details and schedules. Not certified yet? Start with our diving courses in Port Sudan — the Umbria is one of the finest rewards waiting for you after your first certification.

Umbria Wreck FAQ

Can beginners dive the Umbria?

Yes. The upper sections between 5 and 18 meters suit Open Water divers with a guide — it is one of the safest wreck dives in the world.

How deep is the Umbria wreck?

The wreck starts about 5 meters below the surface and its lower side rests on sand at roughly 36 meters.

How long is the trip from Port Sudan?

Just 30 to 45 minutes by boat — the wreck lies inside the harbor area at Wingate Reef.

Why did the crew sink their own ship?

To keep the vessel and her wartime cargo out of British hands when Italy entered WWII in June 1940.

Is the ammunition on board dangerous?

The bombs are real and still in the holds, but stable after eight decades. The golden rule: look, don't touch, and always follow your guide.

Few dive sites anywhere combine a true war story, effortless access, and an intact wreck with its full cargo aboard. Blue Shark Diving & Marine Services runs regular trips to the Umbria with guides who know every hold and passageway. Contact us to book your dive on the Red Sea's most famous wreck.