Visit to the Catalina seaplane wreck

Somewhere along the shores of the Saudi Arabian coast of NEOM, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea, lies the wreckage of a Catalina seaplane. Being an aviation enthusiast, I had to visit this relic, which has rested for over 60 years on the beach of Ras Alsheikh Hamid.

The Catalina seaplane is now split in two. You can still see graffiti on it.

For almost four years of working with NEOM, I visited the Catalina seaplane wreck a good six times, maybe more. Each visit was unique, the light, the shores, and the journey itself changed (especially the time we ran out of fuel… a story I’ll share later). I loved telling the history of the wreck to those coming with me. I can still recall what the tourism team once told me: “You’re making it sound so much more interesting than the wreck actually is.”

To me, seaplanes are majestic. The fact that a plane can fly is incredible in itself, but seaplanes add another layer of complexity with their ability to land on water. While many are drawn to fighter jets, I’ve always been captivated by seaplanes, and the Catalina holds a special place in my heart. A few months ago, I visited Sydney, Australia. There, I found a seaplane fleet and a restaurant named The Catalina. I wonder how many passersby realise the significance of that name. I sat and watched the seaplanes take off and land most of the afternoon.

I approached the wreck of the Catalina seaplane, but not too close...

A sad fate

The plane is a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, an American military seaplane from the 1930s. These planes were used during World War II for missions such as anti-submarine warfare, escort, sea rescues, and reconnaissance.

The story begins when Thomas W. Kendall, a retired businessman, bought the plane and converted it into a luxury flying yacht. In 1960, Kendall took his family on a world tour, accompanied by a photographer from LIFE magazine to document the journey.

Catalina seaplane in 2021

On March 22, 1960, Kendall left Egypt and made an unauthorised landing near the beach of Ras Al-Sheikh Humaid. The following day, the Catalina seaplane came under fire from a local tribe, who mistook it for an enemy aircraft. Thankfully, Kendall and his family were unharmed, but the same couldn’t be said for the Catalina, it sustained heavy damage. You can still see the shots on the wreck. The Kendalls were captured and taken to Jeddah for questioning. After some time, they were released and allowed to return to the United States, though the Catalina remained behind, left to its fate.

one of the engines of the Catalina seaplane
Inside the wings of the Catalina seaplane

The wreck of the Catalina seaplane

In 1995, photos taken by American photographer Donald Curtis showed the wreck of the Catalina seaplane still in one piece. The interior had already long since deteriorated. 35 years after the incident, the seaplane was already showing the effects of the corrosive environment. The plane is in 2 parts. The tail is resting a few meters away, while the front is still close to the sea.

View from the cockpit of the Catalina seaplane
The wreck of the Catalina seaplane seen from the inside

In later photos, the wreck is seen covered in graffiti. During my visit, the Catalina seaplane wreck was in very poor condition. The tail of the plane is now detached from the rest. Fortunately, a fence has been built around the wreck to protect it and deter people from climbing on it. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t prevent people from moving parts of it. It’s hard to visualise how the plane used to look like before!

The tail of the Catalina seaplane
The landing gear of the Catalina seaplane was extended at the time of the attack.

I walked a bit further along the coast and noticed some fossilised corals. In the distance, I could see the car of the coast guards, making sure people didn’t venture too far out.

Fossilized corals near the Catalina seaplane
Starfish a few minutes from the Catalina seaplane

My last visit to the Catalina

My last visit to the Catalina wreck turned into an unforgettable adventure. I’d brought a few colleagues along for the trip, and we knew we were cutting it close with our fuel levels. We’d planned to refuel at one of the nearby petrol stations, but of course, that day, it was closed.

We made it to the Catalina seaplane on time for sunset. But driving back didn’t go as planned. We sputtered to a halt just shy of the main road, completely out of petrol. What could’ve been a disaster, though, became one of the best team-building moments. Instead of panicking, we laughed at it and to this day, I still smile thinking about it.

So, what happened? Stranded in the middle of nowhere, we parked behind… wait for it… a parked petrol truck. The catch? Our car ran on diesel. After running out of luck with other trucks, a security guard on patrol helped us, driving to the petrol station using a water bottle to fill in. While we couldn’t find anything to help us push the fuel cap, I remembered that I had a Starbucks straw. Yes, you read that right…a Starbucks straw.

The next day, I pitched the team: “Let’s add a ‘petrol station’ feature to the app for anyone navigating NEOM.” Because sometimes, the best ideas come from the most silly situations.

Update about visiting the Catalina Seaplane in NEOM

Since May 2024, the wreck of the Catalina seaplane has become harder to access. This is due to nearby construction related to The Line (the 170 km city) in NEOM as well as various developments around the Gulf of Aqaba. Over the past three years and during my many visits, the seaplane has deteriorated due to human activity. I hope that the wreck will be protected in the future to prevent further damage.