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Djibouti

Courses

Courses

Dive Sites

Dive Sites

Wildlife

Wildlife

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Dive Trips

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Events

© iStock-Vadim Nefedov

Explore Djibouti

Djibouti only recently began growing as a scuba diving destination, meaning many sites remain untouched.

Diving in Djibouti is quite unique, as many of the sites are suited for more experienced divers. Whilst there are plenty of opportunities for beginner divers too, the country’s geographical location at the Horn of Africa and the opening between the Red Sea and where Indian Ocean currents are stronger means that many dive sites are better for advanced divers. These specific currents are good news for those who love seeing big stuff, like dolphins, manta rays, sharks and the elusive whale shark, as these creatures travel along them.

There are plenty of dive centers, dive resorts that visit dive sites daily, but the most advised option is to take a liveaboard trip around Djibouti’s exceptional dive spots. Some sites are too far for land based dive operators to go to, whereas liveaboards are not limited by distance. Many of the best sites are more remote, which is another reason to opt for a liveaboard.

As for dive courses, Djibouti is a great place to obtain an advanced certification due to its challenging conditions.

Power Plug Type
C, E
Payment Method
VISA, MC
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff / Tipping appreciated but not mandatory; amount may vary based on service quality
Currency
DJF
Dial Code
+253
Electricity
220V 50Hz
Time
UTC+3 (EAT)

Dive Sites

Mares, Janez Kranjc
La Passe <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

La Passe (★4.2)

The pass separates the Gulf of Tadjourah and the Ghoubbet al-Kharab cove. It is a channel with a strong current and very variable visibility. The depth is between 5m and 55m. The anchorage area is quite far from the dive site and is exposed to the wind.
Mares
La Faille <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

La Faille (★4.1)

The site is located in Ghoubbet al-Kharab, a Djiboutian cove separated from the Gulf of Tadjourah by a channel with strong currents. The anchorage area is protected, visibility is excellent and currents are variable.
Mares
Ras Eiro <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.8)</span>

Ras Eiro (★3.8)

Ras Eiro is a cape that points east of Arta beach in the Gulf of Tadjourah. Visibility varies, the water is sometimes full of plankton, which reduces visibility. With a depth of 7m to 45m, the currents are weak and the anchorage area is sheltered.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Le Canyon <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Le Canyon (★4.4)

Sailing at 45mins from Djibouti towards and close to Musha Island. The area is sheltered, weak current. Visibility 10 to 15m depending on weather conditions.

Top Wildlife Sightings Djibouti

The highlight of diving in Djibouti is the gentle giant of the sea - the whale shark. From November to February, these spotted pelagics come to the Gulf of Tadjourah to feed on plankton that live close to Ghoubet Al Kharab. The bay here is a confined space for baby whale sharks that stay for over four months in their early developmental stage, and offers a unique opportunity to see these adorable juveniles.

Furthermore, divers can often spot dolphins that cruise alongside diving boats, playfully jumping out of the water. Other creatures include grey and nurse sharks, tiger and blue sharks, manta rays and occasionally pilot whales.

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

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
45 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
4
A
6
M
2
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
2
D
15
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
3
D
6

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
12 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
9 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
1
iStock/Extreme Photographer
Whale Shark

Whale Shark
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
4 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
1
Show More

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
40 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
2
A
6
M
0
J
2
J
3
A
0
S
3
O
1
N
3
D
17

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
40 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
2
A
4
M
2
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
17

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
39 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
2
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
17

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
38 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
2
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
18

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
38 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
2
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
3
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
2
D
11

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
35 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
2
A
4
M
1
J
2
J
4
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
2
D
11

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
31 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
6
M
4
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
2
D
14

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
31 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
2
A
6
M
2
J
2
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
8

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

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
30 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
1
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
11

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
27 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
5
M
1
J
1
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
11

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
24 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
1
A
5
M
1
J
1
J
5
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
1
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

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
19 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
5
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
8

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
17 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
8
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
5

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
15 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
5
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
4
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
13 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
11 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
7 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
6

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
Cornetfish

Cornetfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock-bearacreative
Emperor

Emperor
5 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
5 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
AdobeStock_cherylvb
Garibaldi Damselfish

Garibaldi Damselfish
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
4 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Alamy-Nature Photographers Ltd
Skate Fish

Skate Fish
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
3 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Stonefish

Stonefish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
3 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1