ALYAMAMA
Why dive here
ALYAMAMA is a wreck dive in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Water ranges 26-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Alyamama wreck, sunk in 1978, isn’t about depth, it’s about accessibility and the sheer volume of life that has claimed this barge. At a maximum of four metres, it’s basically an open-air aquarium. We love floating above the skeletal remains, spotting the resident parrotfish nibbling algae off the rusted hull, their colours popping against the muted metal. What makes Alyamama special is how the light plays on the structure. On a sunny day, shafts of sunlight pierce the shallow water, illuminating every nook and cranny. You’ll see schools of juvenile snapper darting in and out of the twisted metal, and often a grumpy stonefish or two camouflaged perfectly on the deck. It’s a site for photographers, for snorkelers, and for divers who appreciate the quiet beauty of a man-made structure slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. Our favourite time to visit is late morning, before any wind picks up, when the surface is like glass and the wreck is perfectly still beneath you. Just watch your buoyancy, it’s easy to stir up the sand here.
Typical ALYAMAMA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ALYAMAMA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1978
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown
Not every wreck needs to be a legendary warship to offer a fantastic dive. The Alyamama, a barge that sank off the coast of Jeddah in March 1978, is a perfect example. Resting in just 4 meters of water, this is the quintessential 'fun' dive. Its extreme shallowness means that parts of the hull and superstructure break the surface, making it incredibly easy to locate and navigate. With no concerns about depth, bottom time, or decompression, it's an ideal site for new divers, training dives, snorkelers, and photographers looking to play with the abundant natural light.
Over the decades, the simple structure of the Alyamama has been transformed into a thriving artificial reef. The warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Red Sea have encouraged a vibrant explosion of coral growth across its metal surfaces. It now hosts a dense community of reef fish, moray eels, and crustaceans, making it a lively and colorful underwater playground. The Alyamama proves that even the most humble of vessels can become a beautiful and rewarding dive site.
Nearest Dive Centres to ALYAMAMA
Dive shops near ALYAMAMA
Star Seas Diving Center
Red Sea Divers
Dream Diver
Blue Reef Divers
Dive Holics
Future Experts Sports Company
Reviews for ALYAMAMA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALYAMAMA
ALYAMAMA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALYAMAMA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (21.69, 39.01) (4km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
31°C
87°F · Range: 28.7–32.1°C
Current Speed
2.24 cm/s
Direction: NE (63.4°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.079 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
37.06 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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