Cousteau's Conshelf II (Precontinent II)

In 1963 Jacques Cousteau built the underwater village Conshelf II (Precontinent II) on the Sha'ab Rumi reef; five oceanauts lived there for a month, as shown in the film World Without Sun. The remains of the Starfish House, the submersible hangar, shark cages and a tool shed lie on the reef near a west passage, at about 9–10 m, and the reef around them has fine hard and soft corals. A real piece of diving history, often combined with a night dive.

Facts

• Region: Sudan Red Sea (Port Sudan & north)
• Area: Sha'ab Rumi
• Depth: 5–40 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: moderate
• Type: reef, wreck
• Coordinates: 19.9402, 37.408 (approximate)
• Highlights: Starfish House remains, submersible hangar, shark cage, soft coral, grey reef shark, hammerhead
• Tips: Only experienced wreck divers should enter the confined spaces of the structures. One diver rates nearby Sha'ab Rumi South as more interesting. Permit/fees: no separate dive permit from an official Sudanese source could be found. Operators collect a combined government/port/marine-park charge in cash on arrival (DUNE lists EUR 187 per 7-night trip; Blue Force listed EUR 220 + 70 service tax, now historical), so ask the operator what is included.

Sources

• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Africa/Sudan/Port_Sudan/Roman_Reef/index.html
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-sudan.php
• https://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/destination/sudan-diving
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Shelf_Station_Two
• https://liveaboard.dune-world.com/trip/south-suakin-a-taste-of-adventure/