Almonda – Farasan Banks – Saudi Arabia
Travel period
Features
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Discover the Splendor of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
The Red Sea in Egypt, but as it was some 30 years ago. Here’s what to expect on a diving vacation in Saudi Arabia. The stretch of Red Sea that belongs to Saudi Arabia is still completely unspoiled and full of surprises. Here, large schools of hammerhead sharks swim, thresher sharks are sometimes spotted and the coral is so colorful you would think you had landed in Raja Ampat. We offer a great liveaboard trip with the Almonda Liveaboard, departing from Jeddah and exploring the beautiful Farasan Banks route, among others.
Discover Farasan Banks in the Red Sea
Farasan Banks is an area of completely untouched reefs and pristine islands, where ospreys and gannets reign supreme and turtles lay their eggs. Undisturbed sea floors inhabited by all kinds of marine animals and vertical walls rising from the depths form the backdrop when you dive at Farasan Banks. Here you can see and encounter whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, reef white tip sharks, reef black tip sharks, turtles and a variety of hard and soft corals.
Aboard the Almonda Liveaboard
You will stay this diving vacation aboard the Almonda Liveaboard. A spacious yacht measuring 39.9 meters by 8.57 meters wide with room for 24 guests. Choose from 12 comfortable cabins, including 8 deluxe cabins with twin beds, 2 twin cabins with queen beds and 2 master suites with queen beds.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Saudi Arabia
You can go to Saudi Arabia on diving vacations year-round, but like Egypt and Oman, it is really hot during the summer months.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in Saudi Arabia
It can get very hot in Saudi Arabia, the water temperature reaching about 31C at its peak. Therefore, you certainly almost always have enough with a 3mm or rash guard at this diving destination.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 | Travel to Jeddah
Today you will travel to Jeddah. There are several direct flights from Europe, including from Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris, and the flight time is about 6 hours. If you travel with a stopover, for example from Dusseldorf, you will spend between 10 and 15 hours on the road.
Once you arrive at Jeddah, you will be picked up by the crew of the Almonda and taken to the port of Al Lith. This port is still about a 2.5-hour drive south of Jeddah. Along the way, you get a good impression already of the landscape of Saudi Arabia.
Upon arrival at the port of Al Lith, you will board the Almonda and settle into your cabin. The real diving adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2 to 7 | Diving at Farasan Banks
On day 2 the boat leaves early in the morning towards the dive sites of Farasan Banks.
After about 3 hours of navigation you will reach the first dive sites.
Dive spots that immediately give you the feeling of being in an untouched world.
Mar Mar Island is not only a beautiful dive spot, but also an excellent night anchorage where we stay.
Not far away are the islands of Dohra, Jadir and Malathu and the beautiful outcropping reefs of Gorgonia.
Bandu and Long Reef.
Cruising 25 miles south, you encounter a second reef area with Sha’ab Ammar, a large horseshoe-shaped reef also used as a night anchor.
Further south you will discover the islets of Danak, Jabbara, Eagle and the coral atolls of Mudarr, Fantasy and Choppytadia, where the diving is still truly spectacular.
A common feature of all these dive sites is the incredible variety of hard and soft corals found on the plateaus, as well as the sheer volume of passing fish.
Diving on the falls of the plateaus, generally oriented north and south, you can witness large pelagic fish, including schools of hammerhead sharks and the tiger shark which is admired several times at different dive points.
You will also pass Mubarak Reef and Marbat AlKhail, remarkably healthy and pristine dive sites.
The final dive at Canyon Reef concludes this wonderful itinerary.
Day 8 | End of the diving vacation in Saudi Arabia
Unfortunately, you have already arrived at the end of this beautiful liveaboard diving vacation in Saudi Arabia. Around 9 a.m., after breakfast, you will leave the boat and be taken back to Jeddah.
Somewhat depending on how your flights connect, you can fly straight home or stay a night (or two) in Jeddah and finish your diving vacation with a little cultural city trip. A tourist visit to Jeddah offers a mix of ancient charm and modern splendor. Explore historical sites such as Al-Balad and the floating mosques. Enjoy the bustling souks, sample local cuisine and admire contemporary works of art along the Corniche.
The liveaboard
The boat and cabins
Liveaboard Almonda
Join us on an adventurous voyage on the Red Sea with the Almonda, a 40-meter-plus liveaboard vessel. This comfortable boat accommodates 24 guests in modern, air-conditioned cabins. As you step aboard, you are greeted by an elegant salon with stunning views of the Red Sea. Relax on the sun deck with Jacuzzi or enjoy delicious meals, snacks and drinks in the spacious restaurant on the main deck. In the evenings there are various activities, including diving and fishing presentations, movies and fun games in the lounge.
Certified divers can use nitrox for free, and the spacious diving platform makes access to the Red Sea’s underwater world easy. Two zodiacs are available for distant excursions. Whether you are an experienced diver or this is your first liveaboard diving vacation, the Almonda provides the perfect setting to explore the beautiful underwater world of the Red Sea. This liveaboard offers comfort, luxury and adventure for an unforgettable experience. Relax, explore and enjoy the wonders of the Red Sea aboard this ship.
Travel costs
What is included
This diving vacation to Saudi Arabia is available from US$ 1.942 per person based on two people in one cabin. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Saudi Arabia? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 1.942 p.p.
- 7 nights in a Twin or Double cabin (lower deck)
- Accommodation on full board basis incl. soft drinks, tea, coffee, mineral water and snacks.
- Return transfers Jeddah - Al Lith
- Dive package consisting of approximately 18 dives
- Free nitrox, if certified
- Use SUP & Towels
- National Park Fees, Port fees, Fuel charge
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Jeddah from US$ 634 p.p.
- Tipping on board
- Land excursions
- Dive & Travel Insurance (mandatory)
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Good to know: Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and therefore it is not offered during this diving trip.
Optional
- Diving course on board
- Diving equipment
- on demand
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