Scuba diving in
Arabia and Horn of AfricaDiving Highlights
Encompassing often overlooked destinations - including the tiny African nation of Djibouti, and Oman on the southeast tip of Arabia - this region is both rugged and remote, but offers several simply stunning dive destinations. Receiving far fewer visitors than neighbouring countries like Egypt, these less-explored gems of Arabia and the Horn of Africa offer some of the finest frontier dive exploration. With access to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman - as well as the open Arabian Sea - the diversity on offer here is almost unparalleled, and offers plenty of opportunity for both liveaboard and day-trip exploration.
The many gulfs and interesting geography of this region has given birth to a stunning variety of sites - with pristine fringing reefs, plummeting walls, shipwrecks, and dramatic offshore islands, as well as a diveable tectonic rift, where two sections of the earth’s crust meet. Plus, with sites to suit divers of all skill and comfort levels and outstanding opportunities for seasonal encounters with whale sharks, manta rays, hammerheads, and more, Arabia and the Horn of Africa offers a bit of something for everyone. And, best of all, you can guarantee that this region’s sites will remain blissfully uncrowded - even during peak season!
Destinations in Arabia and Horn of Africa
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Top Arabia and Horn of Africa experiences
Snorkel with whale sharks, The Gulf of Tadjoura
At the mouth of the Red Sea, whale sharks gather in great numbers along side manta rays, all feeding on the vast plankton blooms. Keep in mind; these encounters are conducted while snorkelling - not scuba diving.
Explore the ocean’s depths, The Seven Brothers Islands
Not to be confused with Egypt’s Brothers Islands, Djibouti’s Sawabi Islands are just as impressive. This offshore area is renowned for its dramatic near-vertical walls completely encrusted in hard and soft coral.
Dive between two tectonic plates, Ghoubbet al Kharab
The Djibouti Crack is a fissure between two tectonic plates. Swim down into the rift to find yourself amid fascinating geology, complete with the faint rumble of earthquakes and tiny bubbles of natural gas.
Drift over colourful coral gardens, The Gulf of Tadjoura
Kaleidoscopic hard corals, billowing sea fans and sponges, swaying sea whips - the list goes on! Djibouti is home to the Red Sea’s most pristine reefs, with incredible growth fueled by the region’s nutrient-dense water.
Spot dolphins, whales and mantas in Oman
Encounter dolphins, humpback whales, and oceanic manta rays in the Hallaniyat Islands – Oman’s remote southern dive frontier in the Arabian Sea.
Diving seasons and weather
The climate of Arabia and the Horn of Africa is almost always hot and dry, with year-round sunshine and frequently soaring temperatures. While inland areas and northern mountain regions can experience frigid nights and sometimes even snow, the coastal areas tend to offer a steady sultry climate.
The year is split into two main seasons, with the hottest time of year running from May to September, and October to April offering more comfortable cooler weather. Between May and September, temperatures can soar, with averages between 30-40°C and beyond, particularly in the south. The temperate season, from October to April, sees the mercury fall between 20-30°C, or perhaps a little further, but still offering perfect conditions for a holiday.
While conditions throughout much of this region allow for year-round diving, the intense summer heat in the south is simply too much for most visitors. For that reason, the months from October through April are often considered the best time to visit, particularly if you’re heading south. Heading north from the Musandam Islands, these seasonal variations are often less noticeable.
