Dive Site: Jabal Al Lith Seamount

Dive site facts: Jabal Al Lith Seamount

Depth

15 m (summit) to deep water

Current

Moderate to strong

Visibility

15–60 m

Water temperature

24–32°C

Entry

Negative entry from liveaboard tender

Level

Advanced recommended

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Possible on liveaboard

Region / port

Al Lith, Southern Red Sea

Coordinates

20.05, 40.15

Conditions & Currents

Jabal Al Lith Seamount often experiences significant currents, making it an ideal location for drift diving. Divers should anticipate moderate to strong water movement, especially around the seamount, which attracts large pelagics. A negative entry is typically used to ensure groups descend together and avoid being swept away from the site. Guides will emphasize maintaining streamlined body positions to conserve air and reduce effort while drifting. Staying close to the reef structure or at shallower depths can sometimes offer a respite from stronger currents. Due to the dynamic nature of drift dives, meticulous attention to the pre-dive briefing is crucial, covering entry, descent, buddy procedures, and boat pickup protocols, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Marine life & sighting chances

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Jabal Al Lith Seamount begins with a negative entry from a liveaboard tender, allowing divers to quickly descend and stay together in potentially strong currents. The dive plan usually involves exploring the seamount's summit, which begins around 15 meters and is covered in soft corals. Divers will drift along the reef, often hugging the wall or exploring various pinnacles and overhangs. The route is largely dictated by the current, which carries divers past vibrant coral gardens and into deeper sections where pelagic encounters are more likely. Turnaround points are determined by air consumption and current direction, ensuring divers can ascend safely. Safety stops are often conducted in the blue, deploying an SMB, as the boat tracks and picks up divers down-current.

Underwater photography

Jabal Al Lith Seamount offers fantastic opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, though wide-angle is often preferred due to the abundance of pelagic life and expansive coral formations. For wide-angle, a fisheye or rectilinear wide-angle lens is ideal to capture schooling sharks, mantas, and the majestic seamount structure. External strobes are highly recommended to bring out the true colors of the soft corals and reef fish, especially at deeper sections. For macro, focus on the intricate details of the soft corals and smaller reef inhabitants found among the pinnacle. Buoyancy control is paramount, particularly in currents, to avoid contact with the pristine corals and maintain stable shots. Always be mindful of your fin kicks and position to capture the dynamic marine action without disturbing the environment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Farasan South Wall
• Farasan Banks

  A collection of remote reefs and islands attracting large pelagics.

• Al Lith Mangrove Reef

Getting there & logistics

Access to Jabal Al Lith Seamount is primarily via liveaboard departing from Al Lith, a coastal city in Saudi Arabia. Divers typically fly into King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, then travel south to Al Lith for embarkation. Liveaboard itineraries usually span 5 to 7 days, combining dives at Jabal Al Lith Seamount with other remote sites in the Farasan Banks region, which are renowned for their untouched reefs and pelagic encounters. Due to the remote nature of these dive sites and minimal infrastructure, liveaboard operations provide a comprehensive experience, including accommodation, meals, and multiple daily guided dives, including early morning and night dives. No specific national park fees are widely reported, but always confirm with your liveaboard operator for any local charges or permits.

Safety & environment

Diving at Jabal Al Lith Seamount requires adherence to rigorous safety protocols due to its remote location and potential for strong currents. All divers should have valid dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation, as the nearest recompression chamber or advanced medical facility would be in Jeddah. Liveaboard crews are trained in emergency first aid and oxygen administration. Divers must be proficient in drift diving techniques and comfortable with negative entries. Maintaining good buoyancy control is essential to prevent damage to the delicate coral ecosystems and avoid uncontrolled ascents or descents in currents. Always dive with a surface marker buoy (SMB) and a dive computer, and strictly follow your dive guide’s instructions, especially regarding buddy procedures and surface pickup protocols. Satellite communication is generally available on liveaboards for emergencies.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

FAQ

Jabal Al Lith Seamount FAQ