Best Dives in Saudi Arabia: Jeddah , Yanbu , Al Lith

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline is opening up as one of the most exciting destinations for scuba diving in the region. With over 1,800 kilometers of largely untouched coastline, divers now have access to a wide range of sites for Best dives in Saudi Arabia —from coral plateaus and steep drop-offs to wrecks and pelagic-rich zones.

This guide highlights the best diving areas around Jeddah, Yanbu, and Al Lith, covering marine conditions, dive site access, and how to reach the region’s top underwater spots.

Year-Round Diving Conditions

One of the main advantages of diving in Saudi Arabia is the stable marine environment.

• Water temperatures remain warm all year, with an average low of 23°C in February, and warmer months easily reaching above 28°C.
• The heaviest rainfall is between November and January, but it typically has limited impact on diving activities.
• From June to September, expect very high air temperatures (above 35°C on average), so proper sun protection is essential between dives.

Jeddah – Accessible Dives and Wrecks

Jeddah is one of the most convenient entry points for diving in Saudi Arabia.

• Shore dives near the city center are accessible but can be impacted by overfishing and coastal development.
• Further south, outer reefs offer healthier coral systems and interesting wreck sites.
• Jeddah is often used as a jumping-off point for longer dive safaris heading toward untouched regions.

Yanbu – Remote Reefs and Coral Columns

Roughly 300 km north of Jeddah, Yanbu offers access to a cluster of isolated coral reefs known as the Seven Sisters.
This region features:

• Coral plateaus and vertical madreporic reef columns
• Regular sightings of hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and silvertips
• Reefs such as Marker 32, Abu Galawa, Marker 42 (Mansi) and Sha’ab Suflani, with walls plunging over 300 meters into the deep

The Seven Sisters and Five Corals itinerary departs from Yanbu and offers access to some of the most pristine diving in the country, including remote atolls off Rabigh where marine life is dense and undisturbed.

Al Lith – Gateway to Farasan Banks

Al Lith, located about 210 km south of Jeddah, is the primary launch point for diving the Farasan Banks—a large archipelago known for its unspoiled reefs and pelagic encounters.

• Dive sites include vertical walls, deep drop-offs, and coral-covered plateaus
• Possible sightings include whale sharks (seasonal), tiger sharks, hammerheads, reef sharks, and manta rays
• The Farasan Banks itinerary is ideal for Advanced divers looking for liveaboard access to deep, remote sites
• This area is recognized as one of the most ecologically rich diving zones in the entire Red Sea region

Choosing the Right Trip

For serious divers seeking healthy reefs and pelagic action, Saudi Arabia offers liveaboard routes that explore beyond the impacted coastal zones. Both the:

• Seven Sisters and Five Corals itinerary from Yanbu
• and the
• Farasan Banks itinerary from Al Lith

are top choices for year-round access to deep reefs, shark encounters, and marine biodiversity.

Why Dive Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of accessibility, remoteness, and marine richness.

• Less-explored dive zones mean healthier reefs and lower diver traffic
• Old wrecks and steep drop-offs add variety to reef dives
• Marine biodiversity spans from macro life to large pelagics
• Liveaboard trips offer access to areas unreachable by day boats
• Great for adventurous beginners and advanced divers alike