Dive Sites in Saudi Arabia
39 dive sites11 liveaboard-only sites

Dive Sites in Saudi Arabia

Diving in Saudi Arabia means pristine coral reefs and legendary wrecks — from Farasan Banks to Abu Galawa. Every dive site in Saudi Arabia with depth, current, certification level and best season, plus the liveaboard itineraries that actually dive them.

Diving in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's great liveaboard destinations, with 39 mapped dive sites covering reefs, walls, drifts, channels and wrecks.

Every site below shows depth range, certification level, current, access and the best season, so you can judge at a glance whether it fits your experience. Start with the full site list, then explore dive sites by type, the nearest decompression chambers and the marine life you can expect in Saudi Arabia.

All 39 dive sites in Saudi Arabia

All 39 dive sites in Saudi Arabia

Depth range, certification level, dive type, access and current at a glance.

Open any site for its full profile, best season and the liveaboards that dive it in Saudi Arabia.

39 dive sites

© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Boiler Wreck

Saudi Arabia

The Boiler Wreck, located on Abu Madafi Reef near Jeddah, offers a diverse diving experience suitable for both novice and experienced divers.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Mild
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
4–45 m
Theme
Cave & cavern / Wall
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Duba Coral Forest

Saudi Arabia

Duba Coral Forest is a spectacular dive site located along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastline, an area recently opened to international divers.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
8–28 m
Theme
Reef / Wall
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Farasan Banks

Saudi Arabia

The Farasan Banks are an extensive volcanic archipelago located in the southern Red Sea, recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's premier diving destinations.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
5–35 m
Theme
Reef / Wall
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Yanbu Coral Gardens, nestled off Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, stands as a premier dive destination, celebrated for its remarkably healthy and extensive coral systems.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
3–18 m
Theme
Drift / Reef

Dive sites by type

Wrecks, walls, drifts, caves and pinnacles in this area.
Reef diving31 dive sites
Reef diving
Wall diving24 dive sites
Wall diving
Drift diving14 dive sites
Drift diving
Wreck diving9 dive sites
Wreck diving
Cave diving1 dive sites
Cave diving
Channel diving1 dive sites
Channel diving
Seamount diving1 dive sites
Seamount diving

Decompression chambers in Saudi Arabia

Verified hyperbaric facilities that cover the diving areas of in Saudi Arabia. Always confirm availability locally before a trip and dive with valid insurance.

LocationFacilityRelevant for
JeddahHyperbaric Oxygen Service, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh HospitalJeddah and the central Saudi Red Sea coast

Marine life you can see in Saudi Arabia

The species most often logged on Saudi Arabia's dive sites.
21 dive sites
Barracuda
11 dive sites
Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
8 dive sites
Bottlenose Dolphin
7 dive sites
Clownfish
5 dive sites
Coral
4 dive sites
Blacktip Reef Shark
2 dive sites
Dugong
2 dive sites
Angelfish
2 dive sites
Butterflyfish
1 dive sites
Batfish
1 dive sites
Anthias
1 dive sites
Green Turtle

Conditions & practicalities

Diving in Saudi Arabia: seasons, conditions and logistics

39 dive sites in Saudi Arabia — here is what the season data says about the best months, water temperature, visibility and currents, plus how divers usually get there and which fees to budget for.

Best months
Oct–May
Water temperature
23–31 °C
Visibility
12–30 m
Currents
Mild — Most reefs can be dived without drift skills; water only picks up around channels and exposed corners. Newly certified divers with decent buoyancy are comfortable here.
Getting there
Most divers fly into the nearest international airport and continue by transfer or domestic flight to the departure port; liveaboards usually leave the evening before day one.
Permits & fees
Marine park fees, port taxes and nitrox are rarely included in the trip price — budget a few hundred dollars extra and check the visa rules before booking.

FAQ

Diving in Saudi Arabia FAQ

When is the best time to dive in Saudi Arabia?
Diving conditions in Saudi Arabia change throughout the year. Check our month-by-month best-time-to-dive guides to plan around peak visibility, weather and marine life encounters.
Do I need a liveaboard to dive in Saudi Arabia?
A liveaboard gives you access to remote dive sites in Saudi Arabia that day boats cannot reach, plus 3–5 dives per day in maximum comfort. For the best dives in Saudi Arabia, a liveaboard is the recommended choice.
What certification do I need to dive in Saudi Arabia?
Most Saudi Arabia liveaboards require Open Water as a minimum, with Advanced Open Water and 30+ logged dives recommended for currents and deeper sites. Some expert routes require Tech or 100+ dives.
How much does a Saudi Arabia liveaboard cost?
Liveaboard prices in Saudi Arabia typically range from €1,500 to €6,000+ per week depending on vessel category, route length and season. Browse the boats below for live pricing.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Visa requirements vary by your nationality. Always check the latest entry rules with the destination's official government source before booking flights.
Is diving in Saudi Arabia safe for beginners?
Many Saudi Arabia sites are beginner-friendly, but some routes feature strong currents or deep walls suited only to experienced divers. Check each vessel's recommended experience level.
Plan your trip

Ready to dive in Saudi Arabia?

Explore the Saudi Arabia destination guide or search liveaboards that visit these sites.