Makkah Region
Diving in Makkah Province offers a unique blend of spectacular Red Sea marine life, fascinating culture, and delicious cuisine.
Explore Saudi Arabia
Diving in Saudi Arabia offers an unparalleled experience, nestled within the rich historical tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula. The country’s coastal waters, particularly along the Red Sea, are teeming with vibrant marine life and offer diverse dive environments that captivate both novice and seasoned divers. The Red Sea is renowned for its stunning coral reefs, home to an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional dolphin. This makes it a spectacular location for underwater photography and exploration.
From the majestic drop-offs and walls to the intriguing shipwrecks scattered along the seabed, divers can enjoy a variety of dive styles in Saudi Arabia. Shore dives provide easy access to some of the most beautiful, unspoiled reefs, while boat dives allow exploration of more remote locations. For those seeking an extended diving adventure, liveaboard trips offer the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into the marine wonders of the region. Seasonal changes bring about different marine life interactions, making every dive a unique experience throughout the year.
Interesting facts about diving in Saudi Arabia include the relatively unexplored nature of its dive sites, offering a pristine underwater environment that feels like a hidden gem. The country's commitment to marine conservation provides a hopeful outlook for sustainable diving experiences. As you plan your diving holiday, remember to respect the local culture, which is rooted in deep historical and religious significance, adding an extra layer of fascination to your trip.
Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, DC, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
0–10% / Service Staff & Hotel Staff / Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; service charges may be included in some restaurant bills.
Currency
SAR
Dial Code
+966
Electricity
230 V / 60 Hz
Time
UTC+3 (AST)
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast is home to a diverse array of marine life, renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and rich biodiversity. Divers can commonly encounter an array of reef fish such as the striking lionfish, colorful parrotfish, and the elusive moray eel. These species are abundant year-round, providing a colorful spectacle across the various diving spots along the coast.
Seasonal highlights include encounters with larger marine creatures. Sharks, such as the hammerhead and reef shark, are often spotted from April to October, particularly around the Farasan Islands. Sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green turtles, are frequently seen nesting or swimming near coral reefs during the summer months. Rays, including the majestic manta ray, can often be observed gliding through the waters, especially during the plankton blooms from March to June. These seasonal patterns make Saudi Arabia a fascinating destination for divers who wish to explore its marine wonders.
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
3.5k Sightings
J
187
F
118
M
206
A
216
M
290
J
351
J
418
A
366
S
346
O
429
N
303
D
241
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
1.7k Sightings
J
67
F
55
M
93
A
106
M
127
J
196
J
251
A
262
S
183
O
176
N
134
D
86
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
1.4k Sightings
J
51
F
59
M
60
A
91
M
120
J
136
J
189
A
160
S
132
O
141
N
138
D
88
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
1.1k Sightings
J
30
F
27
M
72
A
90
M
77
J
67
J
137
A
161
S
101
O
163
N
105
D
78
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
834 Sightings
J
60
F
35
M
36
A
80
M
79
J
105
J
107
A
49
S
83
O
101
N
52
D
47
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
359 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
16
A
19
M
19
J
19
J
67
A
74
S
53
O
36
N
29
D
21
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
6.1k Sightings
J
307
F
264
M
370
A
454
M
507
J
526
J
740
A
668
S
614
O
749
N
517
D
420
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
5.1k Sightings
J
178
F
161
M
266
A
344
M
386
J
476
J
638
A
640
S
547
O
670
N
468
D
327
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
4.4k Sightings
J
241
F
181
M
281
A
342
M
319
J
379
J
505
A
482
S
458
O
508
N
372
D
307
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
4k Sightings
J
184
F
177
M
257
A
277
M
338
J
306
J
482
A
505
S
412
O
478
N
355
D
253
