Dive into shipwrecks and maritime secrets at the Red Sea Museum
Sunken Treasures invites visitors to discover how shipwrecks became archives of history and eventually transformed into living coral reefs
If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of the Red Sea, this new exhibition at the Red Sea Museum could be your sign to find out.
Welcome to Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea, a major temporary exhibition running from Wednesday February 25 to Friday May 29. Housed in the historic Bab Al Bunt building in Historic Jeddah, a Unesco World Heritage Site, the show explores centuries of trade, navigation, and human connection across one of the world’s most storied waterways.
Curated by Eman Zidan, Director of the Red Sea Museum, and Dr Solène Marion de Procé, Chief of the French-Saudi Archeological Mission in Farasân Islands, the exhibition unfolds across four immersive sections.
It begins with The Red Sea Passage, tracing how seasonal winds and navigation patterns shaped ancient trade routes linking the Mediterranean, southern Arabia, East Africa and the Indian Ocean.
From there, Life Aboard the Ship transports visitors into the world of historic seafarers. Pottery, coins, glass, and ceramic objects tell stories of movement and exchange, revealing how ships once served as floating worlds of crew, cargo, and hard-earned maritime knowledge.
Shipwrecks: From a Voyage to a Memory explores what happens when a journey is cut short. Lost to storms and waves, or to collisions with coral reefs, they remain beneath the sea as preserved pieces of history. But that’s only part of the story.
In Exploring for Tomorrow, visitors learn how underwater archaeology and conservation efforts are turning these wrecks into scientific archives – and even into flourishing coral habitats.
Interactive displays and immersive experiences make it more than just a history lesson. It’s a reminder that the Red Sea’s submerged heritage isn’t only about the past; it’s a shared responsibility for the future.
So, the next time you’re wandering the Historic Jeddah, be sure to pop this on your list.
Location: Red Sea Museum, Al Balad District, Jeddah 22233
Ramadan timings: Tue to Sun 3pm to 5pm, 8pm to 2am
