Alexandria’s maritime tradition is ancient, indeed. Over the millennia, many ships have gone down off its shores, and some still lie on the seafloor waiting to be explored. While Egypt’s other dive centre on the Red Sea is better known for its coral reefs and marine life, the area offshore of Alexandria is famous for its wreck sites.
Diving into the Mediterranean is like plunging into submerged maritime museum. These waters hold more than shipwrecks. Entire palaces and even ancient cities were rocked by earthquakes and ultimately slid into the sea, to the extent that thousands of Pharaonic and Roman monuments are now preserved underwater. Sphinxes, Roman columns, ancient wine presses and even remains of the Pharos Lighthouse – one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World – litter the seafloor.
The best ancient ruins are found in Abu Keer Gulf, some of the wrecks and submerged cities date back to 300 BCE. These are a few of the most famous dive sites near Alexandria:
Aminotheese City
This was an entire city, complete with temples, monuments and houses. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis, and many handmade artefacts remain.
Heraliqueon City (the Sins City):
Pilgrims once travelled to worship Isis. The city was active in the time of the Pharaohs, and continued into the Byzantine era before it was swallowed by the sea. No one is sure why it’s called the ‘Sins City’.
Cleopatra’s City
Built by Alexander the Great in 300 BC, this royal city with palaces and monuments went on to even greater fame under Cleopatra. There are also shipwrecks to explore in this area.
Cleopatra’s Palace
Found in the Western Port of Alexandria, this royal district includes debris from Cleopatra’s sun boat and a statue of Mark Antony.
Quaitabay Fort
This is actually a collection of three dive sites that include a Roman shipwreck along with other sunken vessels that sailed during the reign of Cleopatra.