Saudi Arabia boasts huge stretches of unspoilt coastline, miles of vibrant and diverse coral (you’ll find more than 265 different species here), and marine life including stingray, sharks, lionfish and clownfish. The excellent visibility and varied dive sites (from wrecks to shallow reefs) are putting the Kingdom firmly on the map for divers. Although Tabuk is one of the lesser-known sites in the dive world, it has the longest stretch of Red Sea coastline in the country and uncrowded turquoise waters.
When is the best time to dive in Tabuk?
You can dive all year round in the Red Sea off the coast of the Tabuk region, thanks to warm waters with excellent visibility (up to 30 metres if you’re lucky). However, there are times of year when the diving is particularly spectacular. February to May is the best time to spot gigantic whale sharks, while manta rays are more likely to be seen from June to October. If you take a dive in the afternoon, the sun gives a great illumination of the red coral reef. The diverse marine life in the Red Sea can be enjoyed in any month but it’s worth considering that the summer months do make the water feel a bit like a clammy, warm bath – which isn’t for everyone.
1. Duba
Abu Ghad, off the coast of Duba, is a very decent spot for snorkelling (and for beginner drivers) thanks to its crystal clear and calm waters, which make for a very mellow experience. The biodiverse coral at this sandy-bottomed dive site in the Red Sea are home to numerous species of fish and sea creatures.
You’ll find small reef sharks, beautiful multi-coloured coral gardens and tropical fish and plenty of this is at snorkel-depth, so for smaller children or those not keen on diving, it is still well worth the trip. You can hire equipment from Dive Time.
2. Al Wahj
The Ummahat Islands look more like a snapshot of the Maldives than what you’d expect to find off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Located below Al Wajh, here you’ll find the Galaxea Dive Centre, which leads trips to the numerous dive sites dotted around the 12-mile-long Al Jadir reef. Here you’ll find 30-metre visibility, blasts of bright blue giant clams popping out from pristine coral, stingray, various species of fish, as well as larger sharks such as hammerheads and tiger sharks – which are typically found at dive sites in and below Jeddah. The area is still being explored as the authorities expand their tourism strategy but right now the uncrowded waters are ripe for exploration.
3. Georgios G Shipwreck
The best-known wreck in Tabuk is the Georgios G, a partially submerged vessel that sits just off the coast of Epicon beach. The Greek ship ran aground on the coral reef in 1978, and has since become known as the Saudi Titanic. It’s a short swim to the wreck, which is just 20 metres offshore, so is a great site for both snorkelling and diving. While you can snorkel the wreck independently, it’s best to hire a guide to go diving here (and you will need to hold an advanced Padi certificate to wreck dive).
Whether you’re hovering on the surface or exploring the submerged ship, you’ll find lionfish, sharks and other marine life that have made the wreck their home. NEOM developments have restricted access to the wreck, but this is temporary.
Note that there is plenty of wreck diving to be found in the Red Sea – if you can travel further from Tabuk, close to Jeddah you’ll find an underwater scavenger hunt at the Cable Wreck at Abu Tair Reef, while the trickier Ann Ann Wreck is a great spot for more experienced divers.
4. Al-Wasl Island
The waters around Haql are well known for night dives, with Al-Wasl Island (around 500 metres off the coast of Haql) boasting a huge variety of coral reef – along with the beautiful marine creatures that live there. Night dives give you the chance to spot nocturnal creatures and to observe the wild sight of coral tentacles feeding. Contact DiveTime Tabuk to arrange it, as you’ll need a guide as well as the right equipment, such as dive lights, compass and slate (a Padi certificate isn’t required to night dive with a guide).
5. Al Harrah Beach
Accessing the dive and snorkel sites off Al Harrah Beach isn’t the easiest task, thanks in large part to the fossilised lava that has made the shore entry rather rocky. That said, once you’re in, the water has great visibility (up to 7 metres) and the shallow depths (around 16 metres) are home to marine life including graceful rays, clownfish (yes, that’s Nemo to Disney fans), vibrant coral and shrimp. You can dive here year round, but March is a great time for visibility and marine life. You can rent snorkel and scuba gear or arrange dive tours with Tabuk Divers.
