Diving Spots

SHOAIBA COAST

Beautiful reefs with huge table corals about 150 km south of Jeddah; take the new road towards the south until you see the Shoaiba desalination plant, turn right at the checkpoint and follow the power lines till the desalination plant. Diving on eather side of the plant is possible. It is required to register at the coastguard station (along the beach, south of the desalination plant) before diving. Camping is possible.

FARASAN BANKS

Fantastic dive spots some 200km south of Jeddah, only accessible by boat. Dream Divers organizes 3-7 days trips. Usually people drive down by car until Al Lith and get on board at Dream Diver's own marina in Al Lith. Reefs are in pristine conditions and rays, huge green turtles and sharks are common. Dream Divers opened a resort from where now day trips are conducted too. Resort with 60 rooms, swimming pool, dive shop, supermarket, recreation area etc.

RABIGH

Beautiful reefs with huge table corals about 150 km south of Jeddah; take the new Yanbu road towards the north until you see the Rabigh desalination plant, turn left and follow the power lines till the desalination plant. Diving on the northern side of the plant is possible. It is required to register at the coast guard station (just north of the desalination plant, when you reach the coast line) before diving. Camping is possible.

YANBU

Fantastic dive spots with lots of little reef atolls, only accessible by boat. organizes 3-7 days trips (Liveabord, max. 20 passengers, hire from SR 10.000,-- per day). Departure from their own marina. It is possible too to hire smaller (fishing) boats from the southern marina (near Royal Commission). There are 3-4 fishermen used to take out divers. Best to arrange the day before. There is a Holiday Inn Hotel where one could stay overnight between day-trips (which are much cheaper - like SR 1000,-/day for the whole boat which fits 4-6 people - than the Dream Diver Liveaboard - which of course is 10times more comfortable). Reefs are in very good conditions and rays, green turtles and a variety of (oceanic) sharks (especially hammerheads) are common. Some tiger sharks on my last trip (June 2009). Highly recommended!