Red Sea Wildlife
RED SEA TECHNICAL DIVE DIRECTORY

Scuba Diving the Untouched Saudi Red Sea

Pristine oceanic atolls, hammerhead cleaning stations, and vertical wall drop-offs along 1,800 km of coastline.

The Saudi Red Sea coastline represents one of the least commercially exploited marine frontiers in the world. With zero mass dive tourism, deep oceanic drop-offs, and healthy shark populations, Saudi waters provide exceptional pelagic, wall, and technical diving.

Saudi Red Sea Dive Regions Compared

At a glance: comparing pricing bands, locations, and ideal guest profiles.

Dive RegionRecommended LevelAccess ModeWater VisibilityNotable SpeciesPeak Season
Farasan BanksAdvanced (30–50+ dives)Liveaboard Only30 to 45 metresScalloped Hammerhead, Silky, MantaOctober to May
Yanbu (Seven Sisters)Intermediate / AdvancedDay Boat & Liveaboard25 to 40 metresHammerhead, Grey Reef, BarracudaMarch to June
Jeddah Outer ReefsOpen Water to AdvancedDay Boat Charters20 to 35 metresWhitetip Reef Shark, Rays, MoraysYear-round
Umluj / Red Sea CoastAll Experience LevelsDay Boats25 to 40 metresDolphins, Turtles, DugongsOctober to April
Oceanic Pinnacles & Pelagics Advanced (Liveaboard Only: $2,200 – $3,800 / week)

The Farasan Banks (Marmar, Dohra & Shib Ammar)

30–50 nautical miles offshore from Al Lith

Best for: Advanced divers, drift dive enthusiasts, and wide-angle underwater photographers.

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An offshore archipelago of uninhabited sand cays and coral pinnacles rising from open water. Strong currents deliver nutrient-dense water along vertical drop-offs, attracting schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and barracuda vortexes.

Vertical drop-offs exceeding 500 metresScalloped hammerhead & silky shark encountersLarge gorgonian sea fans & manta rays
✓ Highlights & Pros

Virtually no other dive vessels in sight; dense hard and soft coral cover; regular apex predator encounters.

— Considerations

Strong currents require Advanced Open Water certification and at least 30 to 50 logged open-water dives; accessible only by liveaboard.

Hammerhead Cleaning Stations Intermediate to Advanced ($180 – $280 / day-boat)

Yanbu: The Seven Sisters & Marker 32

Offshore from Yanbu Commercial Port

Best for: Shark enthusiasts, reef divers, and photographers operating from land bases or liveaboards.

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A chain of barrier reefs running parallel to the Yanbu coastline. Between March and May, scalloped hammerhead sharks regularly ascend along the outer plateaus to visit reef cleaning stations.

Spring hammerhead shark cleaning stationsWell-preserved barrier reef plateausThe Iona historical cargo shipwreck
✓ Highlights & Pros

Accessible via day-boat charters from Yanbu or full liveaboard circuits; excellent coral health.

— Considerations

Afternoon surface chop can build with northwest trade winds; requires negative-entry descents on exposed sites.

Historical Wreck & Pelagic Wall Advanced Day Charter (SAR 650 – 950)

The Boiler Wreck (Abu Madafi Reef)

Jeddah Offshore Barrier Reef (40 km north)

Best for: Wreck divers and deep ocean divers.

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Lying between 15 and 45 metres on the exposed outer reef of Abu Madafi, this historical steamship was wrecked over a century ago. Its large propulsion machinery and boilers are heavily encrusted with soft corals and frequented by pelagic species.

Late 19th-century coal steamshipMassive boiler structures encrusted with black coralPelagic jacks and reef sharks in blue water
✓ Highlights & Pros

Combines historical shipwreck exploration with open-ocean wall diving.

— Considerations

Exposed to open ocean swell; surge can be significant along shallow upper sections.

Water Temperatures, Exposure Protection & Safety Infrastructure

Water temperatures across the Saudi Red Sea range from 24°C (75°F) in January and February to 31°C (88°F) in August and September. For winter and spring diving, a 5mm full wetsuit (with an optional 3mm hooded vest) is recommended for repetitive daily diving.

Underwater visibility is consistently high—frequently surpassing 30 to 40 metres—owing to the absence of river runoff along the arid Saudi coast. Currents along outer reef walls can be strong, making surface marker buoys (SMB) and reel deployment mandatory.

For liveaboard vessel specifications and route options, read our liveaboard expeditions guide, or consult our marine life field guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification level is required for Farasan Banks liveaboards?
Most liveaboard operators require PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) with a minimum of 30 to 50 logged open-water dives, including recent drift-diving experience.
Are liveaboard vessels operational in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Commercial steel-hull liveaboard yachts operate officially from Al Lith, Yanbu, and Jeddah ports with full Saudi Border Guard maritime clearance.
Saudi Red Sea Marine Life Field Guide Home to over 1,200 fish species, 300 scleractinian hard corals, and resilient reef ecosystems. Red Sea Liveaboard Expeditions 7-day offshore dive expeditions exploring unpressured atolls, pinnacles, and marine reserves. Jeddah Concierge Luxury Experiences in Jeddah Private Red Sea motor yacht charters, private beach club days, and historic rooftop dining along the western coast. Riyadh Concierge VIP Experiences in Riyadh Privileged historical access, desert escarpment expeditions, and culinary reservations across the capital. Riyadh Villa Luxury Villa Rentals in Riyadh High-security private compounds, contemporary residences, and executive retreats in the Saudi capital.

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