Dive Site: Sharm Yanbu

About Sharm Yanbu

Sharm Yanbu is a well-regarded dive site situated north of Yanbu City, offering easy shore access to a shallow, sheltered bay. This location is particularly suitable for beginner divers, training, and discovery scuba experiences, thanks to its generally calm conditions and maximum depth of 12 meters. The site presents a unique underwater landscape, combining small wrecks with vibrant coral reef habitats. The topography includes expansive sandy bottom areas that gently transition into lively reef systems. These structures and natural reefs provide diverse niches for a variety of marine species. Visibility here is consistently good, often reaching 25 meters, allowing for clear views of the abundant aquatic life. Divers can anticipate encountering green turtles, lionfish, stonefish, and a wide array of reef fish. Occasional sightings of dolphins add to the excitement. The site is also an excellent choice for night dives, where the sheltered bay makes it easy to observe nocturnal marine behaviors close to shore. Sharm Yanbu serves as a foundational Red Sea diving destination, perfect for building confidence and advancing skills in a controlled environment. Its accessibility and calm nature make it a year-round diving option, though calmer weather outside of November and December is often preferred.

Dive site facts: Sharm Yanbu

Depth

0–12 m

Typical dive

5–10 m, 45–60 min

Current

Light

Visibility

25 m

Water temperature

25–30 °C

Entry

Shore

Level

All levels, beginner-friendly

Dive type

Reef, wreck, night dive

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Yanbu, Red Sea

Coordinates

22.3214° N, 38.6399° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Sharm Yanbu are typically light, contributing to the site's reputation as a calm and sheltered dive location. The bay's natural protection means surge is usually flat, ensuring stable conditions underwater. This lack of strong currents makes for easy entry and exit from the shore, suitable for divers of all levels. Visibility averages around 25 meters, though it can fluctuate with weather conditions. Water temperatures are warm year-round, ranging from 25°C to 30°C. Divers should maintain awareness of their surroundings, particularly over reef areas, and practice good buoyancy control to avoid contact with the fragile coral and potential dangerous wildlife like stonefish.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green Turtle

Year-round, especially Jan–May · common

Lionfish

common

Stonefish

common

Dolphin

Jan–May, Oct–Dec · occasional

Bottlenose Dolphin

occasional

Reef Fish

common

Starfish

common

Barracuda

occasional

Hard Coral

common

Soft Gingerbread Hem Star

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Accessing Sharm Yanbu involves an easy shore entry directly from the beach, typically on a sandy bottom. Divers then proceed into the sheltered bay, where depths gradually increase. The dive often involves exploring the shallow coral reef habitats, which extend from near the shore. A small wreck is also a key feature of the site, providing an interesting point of exploration amidst the reef. Divers usually navigate between the reef structures and sandy areas, maintaining a maximum depth of 12 meters. The calm conditions allow for a relaxed exploration, suitable for beginners to practice skills. The turn point is determined by air consumption and dive time, with the entire dive typically remaining shallow. The safety stop can be comfortably performed in the very shallow areas near the shore, utilizing the abundant reef for orientation.

Underwater photography

Sharm Yanbu's shallow depths and clear visibility make it an excellent location for wide-angle photography, capturing the small wreck and expansive coral reef gardens. A wide-angle lens is recommended to frame the underwater landscape and the diverse mix of reef fish. For macro subjects like stonefish or lionfish, a macro lens will be beneficial. Given the site's suitability for night dives, bringing a powerful focus light and strobes is advised to highlight colors and details in the darker conditions. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the sandy bottom or damaging delicate corals, especially when positioning for shots. Always maintain respectful distances from marine life, particularly venomous species like lionfish and stonefish.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• alfasma

  A shallow reef with clear water and coral gardens, located just over 1 km away.

• Aiona Wreck

  A larger wreck located 13.5 km away, with shallow and deep sections suitable for various experience levels.

• 7 sisters

  A remote cluster of seven reefs offering clear visibility and pelagic life, located 36.9 km away.

• Marker 32

  A site known for advanced and technical diving with depths over 40 meters, suitable for experienced divers.

Getting there & logistics

Sharm Yanbu is located in the Yanbu region of Saudi Arabia. Divers typically arrive via King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, then travel north to Yanbu, which is a major departure point for Red Sea diving. The site is easily accessible via shore entry from Sharm Yanbu Beach. It is often combined with other local Yanbu dive sites, making it a good option for day trips or as part of a longer liveaboard itinerary exploring the northern Red Sea. As a shore dive, permits or fees are generally associated with beach access or local regulations, though specific costs are not consistently published. Trip lengths can vary from single-day excursions to multi-day dive packages that explore the broader Yanbu region.

Safety & environment

Safety at Sharm Yanbu primarily revolves around maintaining vigilance for marine life and practicing excellent buoyancy control. Divers should watch the bottom carefully for stonefish, which can be camouflaged, and avoid touching any coral or marine organisms. For night dives, clear awareness and proper lighting are crucial due to the change in marine activity. The nearest recompression chamber is likely in Jeddah, implying that evacuation in case of a serious dive incident could involve significant travel time. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering medical evacuation and treatment is highly recommended. Always adhere to local beach and marine rules, and never rest on the bottom to protect the fragile ecosystem.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Sharm Yanbu FAQ