About Sawabi Islands
The Sawabi Islands, also known as the Seven Brothers Islands, are a remote volcanic archipelago situated in the Bab el Mandab Strait, marking the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This area is considered a prime diving location in Djibouti, offering a wild and adventurous experience. The islands feature remarkable deep diving spots, as well as thriving coral gardens and walls that descend into great depths. The topography is characterized by volcanic formations and extensive reef systems. Tidal shifts occur twice daily, creating strong currents that can sometimes affect visibility. These powerful currents, however, also bring a rich supply of nutrient-dense water to the reefs and rocky plateaus, fostering an abundance of marine life. While some sites are challenging due to currents and depth, making them suitable for experienced divers, there are also numerous options for Open Water certified divers. Liveaboards frequently visit this region, offering access to its diverse underwater landscapes. The dive sites around the Sawabi Islands are known for their exceptional biodiversity, showcasing pristine soft and hard corals. The currents attract large schools of fish and pelagic species, making each dive an encounter with vibrant marine activity. Despite the potential for reduced visibility due to plankton stirred up by currents, the overall health and richness of the ecosystem here are outstanding, drawing divers eager to explore a less-touched part of the Red Sea.
Highlights
Remote volcanic archipelagoRemarkable deep diving spotsVibrant coral gardens and wallsStrong currents with rich nutrientsHigh marine biodiversity
Dive site facts: Sawabi Islands
- Current
- Strong
- Entry
- Liveaboard only
- Level
- Advanced
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef
- Region / port
- Djibouti
- Coordinates
- 12.4433° N, 43.3442° E
Conditions & Currents
Strong currents are common; drift-diving experience and an SMB or reef hook are recommended. It is usually briefed as a dive for advanced divers. The site is reached by liveaboard, so entries are run from the tender or straight off the back deck. Because the flow can pick up quickly, drift profiles, a surface marker buoy and a tight group are standard practice here, and the crew's briefing always overrides any general description.
Why dive Sawabi Islands from a liveaboard?
Sawabi Islands is one of Djibouti's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Sawabi Islands on their Djibouti itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Sawabi Islands
These liveaboards may visit Sawabi Islands on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Elegante
Djibouti
14 guests25 m
$209/day
Felicidad II
Djibouti
18 guests30 m
$210/day
Dive sites similar to Sawabi Islands
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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Cape Rouge
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- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
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- Access
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La Vierge Rouge
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La Vierge Rouge is situated in Djibouti, a unique diving destination where the Red Sea converges with the Indian Ocean.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
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- Liveaboard only
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Le Sec Aux Boutres
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Le Sec Aux Boutres is a distinguished dive site located near Arta, Djibouti, celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity and stunning underwater scenery.
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- Current
- Mild
- Access
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- Depth
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