Dive Site: Farasan South Wall

About Farasan South Wall

The Farasan South Wall is an integral part of the vast Farasan archipelago, located approximately 40 kilometers off the Jizan coast in Saudi Arabia’s southern Red Sea. This area is recognized as Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, boasting some of the healthiest reefs in the entire Red Sea basin with minimal human impact. Its deep reef walls offer dramatic underwater topography and serve as a highway for large pelagic species. This specific dive site is characterized by its sheer drop-offs and excellent visibility, often exceeding 30 meters, providing a clear view of the vibrant coral ecosystems. The currents here can range from mild to strong, dictating different drift dive experiences depending on the day and specific location along the wall. The Farasan South Wall is predominantly explored via liveaboard, allowing access to its remote, untouched stretches. Marine life at the Farasan South Wall is exceptionally rich and diverse. Divers can expect encounters with schooling hammerhead sharks, whale sharks during seasonal migrations, oceanic whitetips, and various reef sharks. The area also hosts manta rays and a profusion of reef fish. For macro enthusiasts, the healthy corals conceal nudibranchs and seahorses, while shallow seagrass beds are home to rare dugongs. The practical dive experience typically involves drift diving along the impressive wall, with guides managing entry and exit based on current conditions. Due to its remote nature and the potential for strong currents, it is best suited for experienced divers comfortable with advanced conditions and liveaboard itineraries.

Dive site facts: Farasan South Wall

Depth

5–40 m+

Typical dive

15–35 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong, variable

Visibility

30–60 m

Water temperature

24–32°C

Entry

Liveaboard tender / drift entry

Level

Advanced (AOWD) recommended, current experience essential

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Possible in sheltered areas

Region / port

Farasan Banks, Southern Red Sea

Coordinates

16.65, 42.08

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Farasan South Wall can vary significantly, ranging from gentle flows that allow for relaxed exploration to strong drifts requiring active finning and precise buoyancy control. Due to its exposed location along a deep wall, divers should be prepared for potential upwellings and downwellings, particularly near points and corners. Dive plans are highly dependent on daily conditions; guides will brief for drift dives, potentially incorporating negative entries if currents are strong. Maintaining a tight group and deploying an SMB for ascent are crucial safety practices. While moderate currents facilitate exhilarating drift dives, exceptionally strong currents may lead to adjustments in the dive plan, potentially shifting to more sheltered sections of the wall. Understanding and respecting current dynamics are paramount for a safe and enjoyable dive experience here.

Marine life & sighting chances

Whale Shark

December to March · occasional

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

December to May · occasional

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

occasional

Manta Ray

Cooler months · occasional

Dugong

rare

Green Sea Turtle

common

Hawksbill Turtle

common

Whitetip Reef Shark

common

Blacktip Reef Shark

common

Grey Reef Shark

common

Eagle Ray

occasional

Humphead Wrasse

common

Red Sea Clownfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Farasan South Wall typically involves a drift dive along the extensive reef face. Entry is usually via tender, with divers descending quickly into the blue to a planned depth, often between 15-25 meters, to explore the vibrant wall and keep an eye out for pelagic encounters. The dive proceeds with the current, allowing divers to effortlessly glide past coral formations and observe marine life. Deeper sections of the wall extend beyond recreational limits, so careful depth management is crucial. The turnaround point is determined by air consumption and current conditions, after which the group makes a controlled ascent, performing a safety stop in the shallower, current-protected zone if possible, before surfacing and being picked up by the tender.

Underwater photography

The Farasan South Wall offers outstanding opportunities for wide-angle photography, capturing the dramatic wall topography, vast coral gardens, and abundant pelagic life. A fisheye or wide rectilinear lens is ideal for showcasing the sheer scale and clarity of the site. For capturing distant pelagics like sharks and mantas, a fast-focusing camera system is beneficial. Strobes are essential to bring out the true colors of the corals and marine inhabitants, especially as you descend deeper. Due to potential currents, good buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing delicate corals and to maintain stable shots. For macro subjects found within coral crevices, a dedicated macro lens can yield stunning results, but prioritizing the site's unique wide-angle appeal is often more rewarding.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Farasan Channel

  Offers diverse marine life and current-swept reefs.

• Farasan Banks

  A large area of remote reefs known for pelagic sightings and pristine corals.

• Shib Nazar

  Part of the extensive reef system within the Farasan region.

• Shib Al Banat

  Known for healthy coral formations and marine biodiversity.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Farasan South Wall is almost exclusively via liveaboard, typically departing from Al Lith, which is accessible by internal transfer from Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED). Liveaboard trips to the Farasan Banks generally last 7 to 10 nights, offering comprehensive exploration of this remote region. Divers usually need a tourist e-visa for Saudi Arabia. Given the pristine nature of the marine sanctuary, adherence to strict environmental guidelines is expected. These itineraries are designed for serious divers seeking untouched reefs and substantial pelagic encounters, often combining several dive sites within the broader Farasan Banks area over the course of the trip.

Safety & environment

Diving at Farasan South Wall demands a high level of preparedness due to its remote location and potential for strong currents. The nearest recompression chamber is in Jeddah, implying significant evacuation times in case of an emergency. Comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency medical treatment and evacuation is absolutely mandatory. Divers must be proficient in drift diving techniques, including quick descents, maintaining group integrity, and deploying SMBs. Always dive with a well-maintained dive computer and adequate air supply. Given the limited accessibility, divers should be self-reliant and strictly follow the dive guide's instructions. Night dives, if offered, should be conducted only in exceptionally sheltered conditions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Farasan South Wall FAQ