An extensive Saudi Arabian coastline unveiling pristine waters, plentiful biodiversity and a penchant for conservation
Historic Shipwrecks
For thousands of years, ancient dhows
and merchant ships journeyed along
the legendary maritime trade route.
Most arrived at their destination safely,
but some were not so lucky. Today,
various wrecks found along Saudi
Arabia’s coastline offer thrilling – if
not spine-tingling – opportunities for
adventure diving. In Umluj there’s the
Greek vessel Argonaftis which has
remained undisturbed for years –
existing as just one of the Red Sea’s
living museums. The vessel now serves
a different purpose as it coexists with
the reef to host a tremendous amount of
marine life.
Sail to Secluded
Hideaways
For the adventurous at heart, a
liveaboard (where you can eat, sleep,
dive, repeat), or a fully crewed private
yacht (complete with hot tubs and fine
dining) means access to secluded,
harder-to-reach sites. It’s a great way to
meet fellow divers, with all the gear,
a bespoke itinerary and seasoned
experts on hand.
Red Sea Sharks
There are 44 species of shark present in the Red Sea, ranging from whitetip and blacktip reef sharks to hammerheads, tiger sharks, “silkies” and the pigeye shark – a small, rare species in the Red Sea. The warmer summer months from May to August are the best for spotting sharks visiting remote offshore reefs.
Majestic Whale Sharks
In April and May, whale sharks make their visit to the Red Sea. The largest fish in the world, these graceful, harmless creatures predominantly consume plankton. Studied by a joint team of researchers from Saudi Arabia and the US, it was discovered that the Red Sea is an aggregation site for these gentle giants.
Untouched Reefs
Fascinating underwater adventures await divers with truly spectacular coral reefs that fringe the entire Red Sea coastline and offshore islands, with several distinct areas of similar habitats and species composition. Home to the world’s fourth largest barrier reef, divers can observe over 250 species of coral in the waters of the Red Sea. Unlike corals elsewhere in the world, the corals of the Red Sea are bountiful, colourful and healthy.
Vibrant Reef Fish
Red Sea fish are renowned for their extravagant colours, with the most colourful fish found around coral reefs, as anyone who has ever snorkelled or scuba dived in the Red Sea’s warm waters can readily attest. Just a few of the many colourful fish found in the Red Sea’s waters include the multicoloured parrotfish, Anthias, triggerfish, the Red Sea clownfish, the Klunziner’s wrasse, the bluespotted ribbontail ray and the coral grouper.
