Dive Site: Shib Al Banat

About Shib Al Banat

Shib Al Banat is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's most significant dive sites, an untouched gem in the Red Sea. Its remote location ensures pristine conditions, far removed from coastal development, allowing coral ecosystems to flourish in their natural state. This site promises exceptional clarity and consistent water temperatures, making it an ideal destination for exploring vibrant underwater landscapes. The topography features a sheltered inner reef, where conditions are typically calm, contrasting with the outer walls that expose divers to exhilarating currents. These dynamic environments attract a diverse array of marine life, from schooling fish to larger pelagic species. Depths can vary, offering rich exploration opportunities for various certification levels, from shallower reef tops to deeper wall dives. Marine encounters here are spectacular, boasting a healthy population of sharks and over 1,200 fish species among abundant coral gardens. While the southern Red Sea experiences warmer waters during summer, making diving in the north more comfortable, Shib Al Banat generally maintains agreeable temperatures year-round. This site is predominantly visited via liveaboard, which maximizes dive time and allows access to its most pristine areas, including morning and night dives rarely available from day boats. Divers can expect a dive experience defined by spectacular biodiversity and tranquil exploration inside the reef, transitioning to exciting drift dives along the outer walls. The site's relative undiscovered status means less crowded waters, offering an intimate interaction with the marine environment. Its inclusion on liveaboard itineraries highlights its importance as a Red Sea diving highlight.

Dive site facts: Shib Al Banat

Depth

5–30 m+

Typical dive

15–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Calm inside, strong on outer walls

Visibility

15–60 m

Water temperature

20–31°C

Entry

Tender / Negative entry

Level

Advanced Open Water Diver recommended

Dive type

Reef, drift, wall, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Saudi Arabia Red Sea

Coordinates

21.78, 38.72

Conditions & Currents

At Shib Al Banat, conditions vary significantly between the inner and outer reef sections. Inside the reef, divers typically encounter calm waters, providing a serene environment for exploration and photography. Conversely, the outer walls are characterized by notable currents, necessitating good buoyancy control and drift diving techniques. These currents can be moderate to strong, depending on lunar phases and local weather, influencing the direction and pace of the drift. Visibility is generally excellent, often exceeding 30 meters, though plankton blooms, particularly in summer months, may occasionally reduce clarity. Divers should be prepared for varying conditions, especially when transitioning from sheltered areas to exposed walls. Entry to the outer wall dives is often a negative entry, ensuring divers descend quickly to the target depth to avoid being swept away by surface curr

Marine life & sighting chances

Oceanic whitetip shark

June–November · occasional

Grey reef shark

occasional

Scalloped hammerhead shark

June–November · rare

Moray eel

common

Lionfish

common

Barracuda

common

Green turtle

occasional

Humphead wrasse

occasional

Bluespotted ribbontail ray

common

King mackerel

occasional

Red Sea clownfish

common

Coral trout

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Shib Al Banat often begin with a negative entry on the outer reef, allowing divers to quickly descend and latch onto the reef structure to avoid strong surface currents. The typical route involves drifting along the vibrant outer wall, where the currents guide you past abundant coral formations and pelagic activity. Maintain a keen eye on your depth, as the wall descends beyond recreational limits, and depths can change quickly in a drift. The dive typically progresses at depths between 15-25 meters, conserving air while maximizing bottom time and marine encounters. Turn points are usually dictated by air consumption or reaching a designated area, at which point the dive leader will initiate a controlled ascent. Safety stops are conducted in the blue, often while continuing to drift, with SMBs deployed to signal your position to the liveaboard for pickup. The calm inner reef can also be explored as a separate, more relaxed dive.

Underwater photography

Shib Al Banat offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For the expansive reefscapes and schooling fish on the outer wall, a wide-angle lens is ideal. Consider using dual strobes to balance exposure and bring out the vibrant colors of the corals, especially at greater depths. When drifting, good buoyancy control is paramount to avoid collisions with the reef and to maintain stable shots. For macro subjects in the calmer inner reef, a dedicated macro lens will capture the intricate details of smaller inhabitants like nudibranchs, gobies, and blennies. Patience and a steady hand are essential when currents are present, as subjects can move quickly. Always respect marine life by maintaining a safe distance and never disturbing the environment to get a shot.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Farasan Banks

  Known for remote reefs and pelagic encounters, often combined in liveaboard itineraries.

• Jeddah Wreck Valley

  Offers access to various wrecks and reefs, a popular area for dive expeditions.

• Yanbu Coral Gardens

  Features pristine coral formations and rich biodiversity, south of Shib Al Banat.

• Shib Nazar

  Another reef system in the Saudi Red Sea, offering diverse diving experiences.

Getting there & logistics

Diving Shib Al Banat is primarily facilitated through liveaboard trips, as its remote nature makes day trips impractical. These liveaboards typically depart from ports like Jeddah or Yanbu, providing multi-day itineraries that include Shib Al Banat alongside other premier Saudi Red Sea sites. Divers usually fly into international airports such as King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, from where transfers to the liveaboard departure point are arranged. Trips often range from 7 to 10 nights, offering multiple dives per day, including night dives. There are currently no specific park fees mentioned, but all-inclusive liveaboard packages usually cover diving permits and logistics. Booking well in advance is advisable due to limited liveaboard availability in this emerging dive destination.

Safety & environment

Safety at Shib Al Banat demands awareness of current conditions, especially on the outer reef walls. Divers should be proficient in drift diving techniques and comfortable with negative entries. Always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) for deployment at the end of a drift dive, ensuring the liveaboard crew can easily spot and retrieve you. Maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging corals or expending unnecessary energy fighting currents. The nearest recompression chamber would typically be in major cities like Jeddah, meaning evacuation could take several hours in an emergency. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation, is highly recommended. Always adhere to your dive guide's instructions and maintain buddy contact, particularly in stronger currents, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Shib Al Banat FAQ