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Explore Makkah Region

The Makkah Region offers a unique diving experience along the stunning Red Sea coastline, with its rich marine biodiversity and intriguing underwater landscapes. Diving here reveals vibrant coral reefs teeming with a kaleidoscope of marine life, from playful dolphins to schools of colorful fish and graceful sea turtles. The region is dotted with exceptional dive sites, particularly in Jeddah, where both beginners and experienced divers can explore a range of environments, including mesmerizing reefs, intriguing shipwrecks, and even the remains of a 17th-century Portuguese fleet. Jeddah, often regarded as the diving capital of Saudi Arabia, is an ideal base for exploring the underwater wonders of the Makkah Region. The city's dive spots offer a mix of shore and boat dives, catering to various skill levels. Rabigh is another must-visit location, known for the almost untouched Five Sisters Reef, which promises breathtaking underwater vistas. The region's warm waters, ranging from 23°C–30°C/73°F–86°F year-round, ensure a comfortable diving experience, making it a prime destination for divers seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.

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Diving in Makkah Region

The Makkah Region offers diverse diving experiences that attract both novice and seasoned divers. Notable dive sites include the Boiler Wreck, an intriguing site teeming with marine life, which provides a fascinating glimpse into history for wreck enthusiasts. For those interested in shore dives, Al Lith is a popular choice, known for its vibrant coral reefs and rich biodiversity. The region also boasts unique underwater experiences like night dives, where divers can witness nocturnal marine life behaviors. Options are well-balanced between shore and liveaboard diving, allowing divers to tailor their adventures to personal preferences. The blend of historical wrecks and thriving marine ecosystems makes the Makkah Region a must-visit for dive travelers seeking diverse underwater exploration.

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Dive Sites

The best Months to Dive in Makkah Region

The Makkah Region offers year-round diving opportunities, with its coastal proximity to the Red Sea. Water temperatures range from 24°C–30°C/75°F–86°F, providing comfortable conditions for divers. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 20 meters/66 feet, allowing for clear views of the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.

While diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions are found between October and May, when water temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower. During the summer months, higher temperatures and occasional strong winds may affect surface conditions and visibility. However, currents remain generally mild, making it suitable for divers of varying experience levels.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Makkah Region

The Makkah Region, located along the Red Sea coast, offers vibrant marine life, featuring coral reefs teeming with diverse species. Common reef fish include butterflyfish, angelfish, and parrotfish, which are frequently spotted by divers throughout the year. These colorful species contribute to the dynamic underwater ecosystem, providing an enjoyable experience for those exploring the reefs.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of larger marine creatures such as sharks, turtles, and rays. Hammerhead sharks are occasionally spotted during cooler months, while green sea turtles are more commonly seen in warmer waters. Stingrays, including the blue-spotted ribbontail ray, are often encountered near sandy bottoms. The likelihood of encountering these species varies with the season and specific dive locations, with certain areas known for more frequent sightings during peak times.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

2k Sightings
J
142
F
96
M
129
A
127
M
227
J
284
J
245
A
162
S
154
O
173
N
163
D
146
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

955 Sightings
J
62
F
44
M
52
A
57
M
73
J
145
J
137
A
81
S
80
O
74
N
94
D
56

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

879 Sightings
J
60
F
34
M
34
A
83
M
103
J
117
J
128
A
50
S
71
O
101
N
52
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

868 Sightings
J
33
F
56
M
47
A
80
M
109
J
123
J
80
A
79
S
101
O
48
N
69
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

4.1k Sightings
J
267
F
233
M
224
A
277
M
457
J
439
J
514
A
377
S
355
O
378
N
334
D
267

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

2.5k Sightings
J
184
F
151
M
172
A
190
M
213
J
297
J
286
A
219
S
220
O
199
N
190
D
154

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

2.1k Sightings
J
92
F
112
M
113
A
126
M
238
J
246
J
238
A
200
S
207
O
217
N
178
D
124

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

2k Sightings
J
125
F
145
M
105
A
103
M
244
J
235
J
264
A
219
S
199
O
140
N
162
D
94

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

1.8k Sightings
J
94
F
91
M
93
A
84
M
225
J
224
J
234
A
165
S
150
O
151
N
164
D
103

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

1.6k Sightings
J
119
F
97
M
99
A
90
M
156
J
209
J
163
A
145
S
138
O
105
N
124
D
122

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

1.3k Sightings
J
117
F
54
M
58
A
103
M
145
J
171
J
166
A
127
S
105
O
87
N
104
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

767 Sightings
J
39
F
54
M
28
A
49
M
91
J
83
J
86
A
81
S
67
O
74
N
86
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

554 Sightings
J
36
F
34
M
11
A
30
M
77
J
66
J
54
A
45
S
54
O
38
N
72
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

537 Sightings
J
41
F
21
M
2
A
22
M
94
J
69
J
63
A
72
S
30
O
35
N
72
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

531 Sightings
J
31
F
13
M
18
A
23
M
71
J
63
J
47
A
72
S
51
O
55
N
66
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

393 Sightings
J
22
F
2
M
30
A
23
M
55
J
38
J
30
A
65
S
39
O
25
N
52
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

366 Sightings
J
27
F
18
M
1
A
18
M
54
J
45
J
42
A
38
S
28
O
32
N
59
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

308 Sightings
J
15
F
13
M
3
A
16
M
62
J
41
J
29
A
25
S
30
O
26
N
47
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

244 Sightings
J
11
F
4
M
1
A
11
M
18
J
60
J
36
A
51
S
15
O
14
N
22
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

181 Sightings
J
17
F
3
M
0
A
1
M
27
J
32
J
17
A
23
S
2
O
19
N
38
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

169 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
2
A
15
M
11
J
26
J
31
A
30
S
3
O
20
N
21
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

157 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
20
A
22
M
16
J
25
J
11
A
11
S
10
O
17
N
24
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

150 Sightings
J
5
F
21
M
0
A
15
M
27
J
16
J
25
A
19
S
0
O
1
N
17
D
4
Silky Shark

Silky Shark

143 Sightings
J
2
F
19
M
12
A
41
M
42
J
7
J
0
A
0
S
7
O
0
N
9
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

137 Sightings
J
15
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
31
J
12
J
25
A
27
S
2
O
2
N
20
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

119 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
20
J
13
J
13
A
25
S
13
O
13
N
21
D
1