Scuba Diving in Saudi Arabia

Explore 121 dive sites and 33 dive centres in Saudi Arabia. Conditions, marine life, and the best time to dive.

Saudi Arabia Diving at a Glance

5 dive regions, 121 dive sites, 33 dive centres, 67 marine species recorded.

Travel Advisories for Saudi Arabia

UK FCDO: Advises against all travel to parts.

Best Time to Dive in Saudi Arabia

The best months to dive in Saudi Arabia are January, February, March, based on water temperature, visibility, wave conditions, and currents.

Month-by-Month Diving Conditions

  • January: Great, water 26°C, current 8 cm/s
  • February: Great, water 25.6°C, current 8.9 cm/s
  • March: Great, water 25.6°C, current 8.3 cm/s
  • April: Great, water 26.2°C, current 7.8 cm/s
  • May: Great, water 27.3°C, current 3.2 cm/s
  • June: Great, water 27.6°C, current 10 cm/s
  • July: Great, water 27.9°C, current 10.8 cm/s
  • August: Great, water 28.6°C, current 5.8 cm/s
  • September: Great, water 28.4°C, current 8.9 cm/s
  • October: Great, water 28.3°C, current 2.2 cm/s
  • November: Great, water 27.8°C, current 4.1 cm/s
  • December: Great, water 27°C, current 7.1 cm/s

Recommended Packing List for Saudi Arabia

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Dive Regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Saudi Arabia for optimal conditions and marine life sightings?
Saudi Arabia offers excellent diving conditions year-round due to consistently warm water temperatures. Divers can expect comfortable waters ranging from 26°C in winter months like January and February to a peak of 29°C in August. This makes any time a great time to explore its pristine Red Sea reefs, ensuring pleasant conditions for your diving trip.
What are the current visa and travel requirements for international divers visiting Saudi Arabia?
Information regarding current visa and travel requirements for international divers visiting Saudi Arabia is not available in our current data context. We recommend checking the official government websites or consulting with your local embassy for the most up-to-date travel advisories before planning your trip to Saudi Arabia.
What kind of marine life and coral reefs can divers expect to see in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea?
Divers exploring Saudi Arabia's Red Sea can expect to encounter pristine, unexplored reefs along its extensive coastline. This rapidly emerging destination is part of the biodiverse Red Sea, promising vibrant coral ecosystems. While specific species are not detailed in our current data, the region is known for a rich variety of Red Sea marine life, which you can learn more about in DivePlnr's wildlife database.
Are the dive sites in Saudi Arabia suitable for all experience levels, including beginners and advanced divers?
With 121 dive sites and 33 dive centers across Saudi Arabia, it is highly probable that there are options suitable for various experience levels. While specific site difficulty ratings are not detailed in our data, the presence of numerous sites and dive centers typically indicates a range of experiences from beginner-friendly to more advanced dives. We recommend consulting with local dive centers for specific site recommendations tailored to your certification and experience.
What are the typical costs associated with a diving trip to Saudi Arabia, including daily dives or liveaboards?
Our current data context does not include information on the typical costs associated with a diving trip to Saudi Arabia, such as daily dives or liveaboard prices. For up-to-date pricing, we recommend contacting the dive centers in Saudi Arabia directly or checking with tour operators specializing in the region.
Which specific dive regions or areas in Saudi Arabia are most recommended for scuba diving, such as Jeddah, Yanbu, or the Farasan Islands?
For scuba diving in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah stands out with an impressive 105 dive sites, making it the most developed area for divers. Yanbu is another recommended region, offering 16 distinct dive sites to explore. While areas like the Farasan Islands, NEOM & Tabuk, and Al Lith & The Red Sea Project are part of Saudi Arabia's emerging dive scene, they currently show 0 listed sites in our database, indicating they are still in early development or have not yet been fully cataloged.
What are the expected water temperatures and visibility levels when diving in Saudi Arabia?
Divers in Saudi Arabia can expect consistently warm water temperatures throughout the year, ranging from a comfortable 26°C in cooler months like January and February, to a high of 29°C in August. The average temperature hovers around 27-28°C for much of the year, ensuring pleasant diving conditions. Information regarding typical visibility levels is not available in our current data context.
How do the diving conditions and crowds in Saudi Arabia compare to other popular Red Sea diving destinations?
As a rapidly emerging destination, Saudi Arabia offers pristine, unexplored reefs, suggesting a less crowded diving experience compared to more established Red Sea destinations. The ongoing NEOM and Red Sea Development projects are actively opening incredible new diving areas, further enhancing its appeal for those seeking untouched underwater environments. Divers here can expect a sense of discovery on its extensive Red Sea coastline.