Dive Site: Farasan Banks

About Farasan Banks

The Farasan Banks are an extensive volcanic archipelago located in the southern Red Sea, recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's premier diving destinations. This remote area offers untouched, healthy reef systems that have seen minimal human impact due to Saudi Arabia's recent opening to tourism. Jacques Cousteau once described the Farasan Banks as one of the most fascinating areas on the planet, highlighting its pristine condition and rich biodiversity. Divers explore vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and underwater pinnacles, often finding cleaning stations on overhangs at depths between 30 to 35 meters. Unique topographical features include impressive rock formations and specific sites like Choppy Reef, renowned for its peculiar red, yellow, and white sponges that create a striking visual spectacle between 15 to 20 meters. Many sites also feature plateaus where juvenile whitetip sharks are commonly observed resting on the sand. The marine life in the Farasan Banks is exceptionally rich, with frequent sightings of large pelagics, including hammerhead, silky, gray, and white-tip reef sharks, as well as occasional whale sharks. The area hosts a wide variety of fish, turtles, and rays, thriving in the clear, warm waters. With very few other liveaboards operating in the area, divers often experience these sites without crowds, allowing for intimate encounters with the abundant sea life. Entry is typically from liveaboards that ply this vast region, with itineraries often dedicating days to exploring the deep south. Currents can range from gentle to substantial, with stronger flows often attracting a richer array of pelagic species. The diving is suitable for experienced divers, with some itineraries requiring a minimum of 50 logged dives.

Dive site facts: Farasan Banks

Depth

5–500 m

Typical dive

15–40 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to strong, drift dives common

Visibility

15–60 m

Water temperature

20–32°C

Entry

Liveaboard / tender

Level

AOWD recommended, experience with current and depth helpful

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic, coral garden, pinnacles

Night dive

Possible at selected sites

Region / port

Jizan Province / Al Lith Port

Coordinates

17, 41.5

Conditions & Currents

Currents in the Farasan Banks vary from gentle to substantial, with stronger flows typically found along deep outer reef walls. These robust currents play a significant role in attracting the rich pelagic life for which the area is known. Divers should be prepared for varying conditions, as currents can dictate drift dives and influence marine life encounters.

Marine life & sighting chances

Scalloped hammerhead shark

November–May · common

Whale shark

December–May · common

Grey reef shark

Year-round · common

Barracuda

Year-round · common

Green turtle

Year-round · common

Manta ray

February–April, December · occasional

Moray eel

Year-round · common

Clownfish

Year-round · common

Snapper

Year-round · common

Silky shark

January–May, November · occasional

Tiger shark

January–April · occasional

Bigeye jack

Year-round · common

Tuna

Year-round · common

Dolphin

January–May, November, December · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Farasan Banks typically involves liveaboard operations, offering multiple dives per day at various sites. Entries are usually from a tender boat, often as drift dives at sites with moderate to strong currents like Dohra Nord or Long Reef. Initial descent often targets 25-40 meters, particularly when seeking pelagic encounters such as hammerhead sharks along plateau edges. Divers will explore coral formations, reef walls, and pinnacles, maintaining good buoyancy to avoid contact with pristine corals. Safety stops are performed in the shallower sections of the reef or in the open water after surfacing from a drift, with the liveaboard crew tracking and picking up divers downcurrent. Specific profiles vary greatly by site, from shallow coral gardens accessible to all levels to deep pelagic drop-offs reserved for advanced divers.

Underwater photography

The Farasan Banks offer exceptional photographic opportunities, especially for wide-angle and portrait shots of pelagic species. For hammerhead encounters at sites like Dohra Nord, a wide-angle lens is essential, as these sharks often approach divers in groups. Visibility typically exceeds 30 meters, allowing for natural light photography at shallower depths, but strobes are highly recommended for vibrant coral colors and to illuminate subjects in deeper water or overcast conditions. When photographing juvenile whale sharks at Shib Habil, a wide-angle lens is also ideal, and patience is key, as the sharks are curious but should not be approached aggressively. For macro photography, sites with rich coral gardens and numerous invertebrates will require a macro lens and careful buoyancy to avoid disturbing delicate life. Given the remote nature of the Banks, bringing spare batteries and charging equipment is crucial. Prioritize buoyancy control to protect the untouched reefs and ensure you capture clear, unobstructed shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Shib Habil Reef

  Famous for whale shark aggregations

• Dohra Nord

  Reliable site for hammerhead shark encounters

• Long Reef

  Known for large barracuda schools and pelagic life

• Mar Mar Island

  Popular for night mooring and vibrant corals

• Mubarak Reef

  Rich in marine life, multiple dive opportunities

• Canyon Reef

  Offers an extraordinary dive experience

Getting there & logistics

Accessing the Farasan Banks primarily involves liveaboard trips, with most itineraries departing from Al Lith Port. Al Lith is approximately 210 km south of Jeddah, requiring an internal transfer from Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED). Liveaboard durations typically range from 7 to 10 nights. Due to the vast and remote nature of the Farasan Banks, liveaboards are the only practical way to explore its pristine reefs and islands. There are currently no specific park fees mentioned, but all trip costs are generally inclusive of diving permits and operations. Itineraries often combine various sectors of the Banks, covering remote atolls, pinnacles, and specific sites known for pelagic encounters, offering a comprehensive Red Sea experience.

Safety & environment

Diving the remote Farasan Banks requires a high level of preparedness. The nearest recompression chamber is likely in Jeddah, which is several hours away by boat and road from Al Lith Port. Emergency evacuation can be complex and time-consuming, necessitating robust dive insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation, and hyperbaric treatment. Site-specific hazards include strong currents at certain locations, deep dive profiles, and encounters with large pelagic species, which require adherence to dive guide instructions. Divers should have a minimum of Advanced Open Water certification and experience with drift diving and managing deeper profiles. All divers must carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and know how to deploy it. Responsible diving practices, including strict buoyancy control and no touching of marine life or corals, are mandatory to preserve this pristine environment.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Farasan Banks FAQ