The Barge

A little sailboat, about 10 meters long and ringed by imposing anchors, awaits you on a stunning bed of black basaltic sand for an out-of-the-ordinary excursion. Beautiful torpedo rays frequent this small oasis of life in the middle of a vast dark desert. Stone fish, antennaries, fish drivers, leaf fish, and other reef fish are all likely to be encountered. You can even cruise dolphins with a little luck while diving in Reunion. The location is brimming with activity. In addition, it is well-known in Reunion for night diving. Amateurs, take note.

The Barge diving site is located north of Hurghada, on the little island of Gubal. It is known for the Gubal Barge wreck, also known as the Bluff Point wreck. It ranks as one of the best diving sites in Reunion. The wreck's history is unknown, however locals claim it was a barge that sank during the Arab-Israeli War in 1973. The wreck itself is only partially covered with brown, gritty sand, with barely a few sections of the hull remaining. The appeal of this dive site, however, is that it offers fantastic night diving chances with a diverse assortment of marine life that has made this wreck their home.

It is possible to dive during the day, but it is not particularly interesting. The entire dive scene changes dramatically at night. Cuttlefish and octopi, as well as an incredible number of shrimp that are easily recognized at night because their eyes reflect torch lights, are frequent visitors. Divers will be able to see the larger fish that seek their prey around the barge's remains as the region becomes heavily covered with shoals of reef fish.

Region: Saint Paul’s Bay
Type of diving: Wreck diving
Geographical situation: Directly in the bay
Recommended dive level: Advanced Open Water
Depth of the diving spot: 25 meters
Distance from the coast by boat: 30 minutes