DAHRAN - Jeddah
Dhahran is something else, a genuinely unique spot in the Red Sea. We’re talking about a wreck that’s practically dry, sitting right on the reef flat, with its bow pointing out of the water. It’s an old Saudi cargo ship, probably from the 70s or 80s, and it ran aground hard. You dive it at high tide, gliding over its rusted deck in barely two metres of water. It’s less a dive, more an aquatic exploration, crawling along the hull, peering into shadowy gaps where the light barely penetrates. Our favourite part is the sheer amount of life that’s made a home here, despite the shallow depth. Schools of juvenile snapper dart in and out of the exposed ribs, parrotfish graze on the algae growing on the deck plates, and we’ve even spotted small reef sharks cruising past the stern. It’s an incredible insight into how quickly a man-made structure becomes part of the ecosystem. We'd suggest going early in the morning, before the sun gets too high, when the light plays beautifully off the rusted metal. It’s perfect for snorkelers or new divers, or anyone who just wants a different kind of dive. You’ll be talking about this one for a while.
- Location
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 21.492332, 39.164500
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 2m
Best Time to Dive in Jeddah
The warmest water temperatures in Jeddah occur in August, averaging 31.6°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 25.4°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.4°C
- February: 25.4°C
- March: 25.4°C
- April: 26.7°C
- May: 28.9°C
- June: 29.6°C
- July: 30.0°C
- August: 31.6°C
- September: 31.1°C
- October: 30.9°C
- November: 30.0°C
- December: 28.3°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Jeddah
- Abo Almadafee أبو المدافع - 18m (wreck)
- ABUSABAA I - 15m (wreck)
- Abu Tair - 24m (reef)
- AGIA VARVARA - 11m (wreck)
- Al Bedayah
- AlBuhairat - 5-25m (reef)
- ALEXANDER III - 10m (wreck)
- Al Fahal East
- Al Fahal North
- Al Fahal South
- Al Fahal vis Wreck (wreck)
- Al leeth
- AL MEDINA - 1m (wreck)
- Altafyah Middle Reef - 20m (reef)
- ALYAMAMA - 4m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to DAHRAN
- 17Sixty - ["PADI"]
- Advanced Diver Center
- Al-Haddad Scuba - SSI
- Al-Haddad SCUBA - Sheraton Resort
- Al Sanbouk - ["PADI"]
- Benya Marine Group - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Jeddah
Home to 4 recorded species including 4 reef fish.
Notable Species
- Armed Squirrel-fish (Neoniphon sammara) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
- Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for DAHRAN
Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 7 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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