Dive Site: Rhounda Khomaytou

About Rhounda Khomaytou

Rhounda Khomaytou is a prominent dive site within the volcanic chain of the Seven Brothers Islands, also known as the Sawabi Islands, located in the Bab El Mandab strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. This region, where the Red Sea meets the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its adventurous diving, featuring unique underwater landscapes and substantial pelagic encounters. The site is characterized by impressive drop-offs, which plunge into deeper waters. These dramatic walls are often enveloped by clouds of colorful reef fish and serve as a highway for large schools of jacks and barracuda. The general topography includes thriving coral gardens and coral-encrusted walls, typical of the Seven Brothers archipelago. Marine life here is abundant and diverse, benefiting from the nutrient-rich waters. Whale sharks are known to pass through, particularly during the October to February season, alongside other pelagics and large schools of reef fish. The healthy coral ecosystems support a vibrant array of species year-round. Diving at Rhounda Khomaytou often involves drift diving due to the strong currents prevalent in the Seven Brothers region. These tidal shifts bring in significant volumes of water, influencing visibility and requiring advanced dive planning. Divers can expect dynamic conditions that offer thrilling encounters with large marine animals.

Dive site facts: Rhounda Khomaytou

Depth

15–40 m+

Current

Strong

Visibility

10–35 m+

Water temperature

24–33°C

Entry

Liveaboard / Tender

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic

Region / port

Seven Brothers Islands

Coordinates

12.4433° N, 43.3442° E

Conditions & Currents

The Seven Brothers Islands, including Rhounda Khomaytou, are known for stronger currents. These currents result from massive tidal shifts occurring twice daily, forcing incredible volumes of water across the reefs and rocky plateaus. Divers should anticipate dynamic conditions, requiring experience with drift diving techniques. Entry procedures, descent timing, and buoyancy control are crucial to navigate the flow effectively. While the currents can reduce visibility at times, they are also responsible for attracting large marine animals and nourishing the vibrant ecosystem. Boat tracking and pick-up procedures must be thoroughly understood for safety during these exhilarating dives.

Marine life & sighting chances

Whale shark

October to February · occasional

Jack

common

Barracuda

common

Reef fish

common

Manta ray

October to February · occasional

Pilot whale

occasional

Dolphin

occasional

Grey reef shark

occasional

Nurse shark

occasional

Marine turtle

Year round · occasional

Tiger shark

rare

Beaked whale

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Rhounda Khomaytou typically involves a liveaboard excursion to the Seven Brothers Islands, often necessitating a tender for entry. Due to strong currents, this is generally a drift dive, meaning divers enter and allow the current to carry them along the site's extensive drop-offs and walls. Descent should be swift and controlled to avoid being swept past the intended starting point. The route follows the contours of the reef, keeping the wall to one side, exploring the dense schools of jacks and barracuda, and scanning the blue for pelagic encounters. Depth progression will vary but often involves deeper sections along the drop-off, gradually ascending as the dive progresses. The turn point is determined by air consumption and bottom time rather than a fixed location. Safety stops are often conducted in the blue while ascending, with the liveaboard or tender following the divers and retrieving them once they surface, sometimes quite a distance from the entry point.

Underwater photography

For photography at Rhounda Khomaytou, wide-angle lenses are essential to capture the expansive drop-offs, massive schools of jacks and barracuda, and potential whale shark encounters. Strobe lighting will help bring out the vibrant colors of reef fish and corals on the walls. Due to strong currents, maintaining excellent buoyancy control is paramount to avoid collisions and keep your camera stable. Be mindful of subject etiquette, especially with large pelagics like whale sharks; maintain a respectful distance and avoid flash photography directly at them to minimize disturbance. Situational awareness is key, as currents can change, and you'll want to be ready for fast-moving subjects.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• La Dame Blanche

  A well-preserved shipwreck at 25 meters

• Japanese Gardens

  Excellent for macro creatures like nudibranchs

• Les Sept Frères (Seven Brothers Islands)

  The broader archipelago known for deep dives and thriving corals

Getting there & logistics

Access to Rhounda Khomaytou and the Seven Brothers Islands is primarily via liveaboard trips departing from Djibouti City. Travelers typically fly into Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB). Liveaboard itineraries to the Seven Brothers generally run from January to May, though diving in Djibouti is possible year-round, with the peak season for whale sharks and favorable conditions from October to February. Trips are often 7-10 days, combining the Seven Brothers with other prominent Djibouti dive areas like the Gulf of Tadjoura. There are no specific park fees mentioned for this site, but liveaboard costs cover permits and all diving activities.

Safety & environment

Diving at Rhounda Khomaytou, especially within the Seven Brothers Islands, requires preparedness for strong currents. All divers should have experience with drift diving and excellent buoyancy control. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for emergency evacuation and recompression, is highly recommended. The nearest recompression chamber is likely in Djibouti City, but evacuation from the remote Seven Brothers Islands could be challenging and time-consuming. Always follow the dive brief carefully, stay with your buddy, and be proficient in deploying a surface marker buoy. Given the potential for deeper dives and strong currents, advanced certifications are advisable, and maintaining adequate gas reserves is critical.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Rhounda Khomaytou FAQ

Liveaboards diving Rhounda Khomaytou

These liveaboards may visit Rhounda Khomaytou 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

$188/day