Snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea

Saudi Arabia is home to some of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving sites you can imagine, with beautiful untouched colorful coral and crystal clear waters. Join us for snorkeling and diving in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia is blessed with stunning turquoise waters teeming with marine life and still largely undiscovered. Saudi Arabia has a coastline on the Red Sea of some 1,700 kilometers that offers countless opportunities for snorkeling and diving and thus enjoying a rich underwater world. The city of Jeddah is not only known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Al Balad, but it is also the gateway to one of the most beautiful diving areas in the world. We would like to tell you more about the many wonderful places to snorkel and dive.

Obhur

North of Jeddah it is possible to dive in the Obhur inlet or creek. By the sea, some beach resorts are located on the edge of the coral reef, where you can snorkel and dive from the beach. Each resort has its own dive shop with the necessary equipment, as well as instructors for those who want to get their diving license. All levels and experiences are served, such is the range and quality.

Boats for those wishing to explore the coral reefs and shipwrecks at sea can be accessed through the small marina in Obhur inlet. All boats visit the coast guard station before entering the open sea to show identification and be registered as being at sea.

The Red Sea is warm enough year-round for snorkeling and diving; in the winter months, a thin wetsuit is required for scuba diving.

Snorkeling and diving from north Obhur is nothing short of spectacular. From the moment you enter the water, you are surrounded by fish and marine life of all shapes and sizes. Snorkeling from above, you can see the fish frolicking around an array of corals. Divers go beyond these spectacular shapes and colors where you will see an ever-changing selection of marine life, be it scorpion fish, anemone fish or moray eels, there is always something new to discover.

Snorkeling and diving at Bayada is very rewarding. It is an area of shallow water and coral banks not far from shore. Another option is to visit one of the many dive sites in the area. There is even a company that takes people to an area known for sharks, where you can watch them from the safety of a cage. Dolphins are also regularly spotted.

Discover the Cable Wreck

Another very famous site is the Cable Wreck, named after the load of cables, fences and steel beams that fell from the ship when it sank in 1978. The Staphonos rests on the seabed southwest of Jeddah (near Abu Tair Island) and at a depth of 24 meters is impressively illuminated by ambient light from the surface of the water. Colorful corals in fantastic shapes cover almost every surface and it is common to see blue-spotted rays wriggling through the sand beside the wreck, while the occasional whitetip shark swims by. On calm days, it is easily accessible to divers of all levels, but when the current is strong, it becomes an advanced dive.

Take a wreck dive and explore the Great Coral Reef at Abu Faramish

Two hours by boat from Djedda, on the Abu Faramish reef, lies the largest wreck diving area in the area: the Ann Ann, which sank in 1977. With a stunning display of corals adorning the deck railings at a depth of 14 meters, and a wide variety of fish making their home there, this wreck has a set of features that make it special for experienced divers. The wreck lies at about 30 meters deep with the propeller, captain's cabin and cargo area still intact, around which divers swim past snappers, blue-spotted rays and schools of barracuda. It is also possible to enter the captain's cabin and cargo area, but only with a qualified instructor.

Experience Jabal Al-Lith

Two hours south of Jeddah by car is the small town of Jabal Al-Lith, where boats take you to the star attraction of Jabal Al-Lith (Al Lith Island). The island is a combination of sandy beaches and mountainous terrain, only 4.5 by 2 km wide. Snorkeling and diving is popular and you can enjoy the clear blue waters here. The months between March and June are the best time to see whale sharks gliding majestically through the water.

Al-Lith is also the starting point for boats going to the Farasan Islands , a vast archipelago of small islands. The fine coral sand is an ideal habitat for turtles, and colonies of birds nest in the low vegetation. The water in this area is so crystal clear that it amazes even the most experienced divers. Coral walls explode with small fish and large rays swim around in the sandy bottom of the coral gorges.

Yanbu, the pearl of the Red Sea

Yanbu is described as "The Pearl of the Red Sea" and "The Capital" for snorkeling and diving, as it offers some of the finest diving in all of Saudi Arabia. Located 330 km north of Jeddah, it has a rich diversity of marine life, pristine reefs and crystal clear waters. Seven Sisters Reef is probably the most famous, with its numerous dive sites offering it's a a haven for divers. Sightings of barracuda, red snapper and even sharks are possible here. One of the most beloved residents of the Red Sea is the turtle, which can often be seen in the waters around Yanbu. Located on the Seven Sisters reef, Abu Galawa is probably one of the most beautiful places, with underwater caves, steep chasms and amazing marine life. The Iona is a famous wreck that sank in the 1980s and is home to an amazing diversity of aquatic life. The fate of the Iona is a mystery: the divers who discovered the ship found evidence that it had run aground at full speed, and the wreck was still littered with champagne bottles. It is suspected that it was either hit by a German torpedo or captured and later passed on to the Ottomans, who then stranded it. Yanbu has its own old town that has been restored, as well as some of the best seafood restaurants in the area.

More information?

The ideal period for snorkeling and diving in Saudi Arabia is from October to May. During these months, temperatures are pleasant, both above and below water, and underwater visibility is optimal - often up to 30 meters or more. The calm seas and mild conditions make it the perfect time for divers to explore the spectacular coral reefs, colorful marine life and mysterious wrecks of the Red Sea.

For experienced divers seeking the most spectacular and remote dive sites, a liveaboard is the ultimate choice. These floating hotels offer not only comfort and convenience, but also the unique opportunity to make several dives a day at the most beautiful sites - without having to return to the mainland.

Ask us about snorkeling and diving opportunities in the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia.