Scuba diving in

Saudi Arabia

Home to some of the least-explored areas of the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’ scuba scene is every bit as good as its neighbours, if not better, due to the infancy of its dive travel industry. Most of the extensive coral reef systems here remain untouched, offering exciting encounters with exceptional marine life of all kinds – from clownfish, turtles, and stingrays to dugongs, sailfish, and numerous species of shark. And then, there’s the wrecks…

Diving in Tabuk Province

Out of all of Saudi Arabia’s provinces, Tabuk boasts the longest Red Sea coastline, stretching for more than 500-kilometres south from the Gulf of Aqaba. Despite this, and its proximity to the bustling dive industry of Egypt, Tabuk Province is one of Saudi Arabia’s lesser-known dive destinations. As a result, visitors can explore pristine coral reefs set within warm, glassy waters just a few fin kicks from the shore – everything you’d dreamt Red Sea diving would deliver. But, with investment endeavouring to put this province on the map, it won’t stay secret for long.

Diving in Al Madinah Province

Further south, Al Madinah is a large province with a relatively small stretch of coastline, yet what little coast it has, is home to some of the best diving in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea. From the ancient port city of Yanbu, divers can head out to the Seven Sisters – a stunning reef system which holds numerous secrets. Beneath the surface, divers can explore swaying sea fan forests, the WWI-era Iona shipwreck, and Abu Galawa, a coral grotto that attracts schools of several shark species, including hammerheads. Chance encounters with manta rays are also on the cards here.

Diving in Jeddah and Makkah Province

Focused around the large coastal city of Jeddah, Makkah Province is Saudi Arabia’s most popular Red Sea diving destination. Over 100-kilometres south of Seven Reefs, the Five Corals of Rabigh – sometimes known as the Five Sisters – are known for their steep walls, peaceful coral plateaus, and abundance of sizable fish such as tuna, barracuda and jacks. Closer to Jeddah, Abhur Bay is said to offer pleasant shore diving along with possible bull shark encounters. 

The city of Al Lith, within Makkah Province, also acts as the gateway to some of the country’s most spectacular diving. While the Farasan Islands lie off the coast of Jazan in the south, the famed Farasan Banks actually begin further north, making Al Lith the ideal departure point. With a mix of light-filled shallows and plummeting walls, this wild region delivers incredible diversity, and is well suited to both beginners and experienced technical divers. On the plateaus, divers can find clownfish, morays, ghost pipefish, and more, while depths of up to 500-metres elsewhere beckon bigger species from the open ocean, including grey reef sharks and silkies. But, it's the hammerhead that often steal the show here, with large schools of 50 or more making remarkably regular appearances.

Wreck diving in Jeddah

Closer to the port town of Jeddah, wrecks become one of the primary underwater attractions, the largest of which is the Ann Ann. This wreck stands upright at a depth of 32-metres at the stern and five-metres at the bow, which is firmly embedded in the Abu Faramesh reef. The power supply room, captain’s quarters, and empty cargo room can be explored by confident wreck divers, but the most popular features are the coral-covered propeller and a toilet, which makes for some entertaining underwater images.

The Boiler Wreck is another of Jeddah’s iconic sites. This coal-powered vessel lies on its side at around 18-metres, but little is left intact other than a small section of the stern and the two boilers. Thankfully, divers can also explore caves, a tunnel, and wall carpeted in beautiful pink and red corals. Other notable wrecks on offer around Jeddah include the Miss Marie Wreck, Marble Wreck, and Staphonos Wreck, also known as the Cable Wreck.