DAMMAM - Jeddah
The Dammam. We love a wreck that tells a story, and this one, sitting just five metres deep, is a fantastic introduction to the Red Sea’s knack for reclaiming history. It’s an old landing craft, scuttled way back in the 70s, and time has turned it into a surprisingly vibrant artificial reef. Even though it’s shallow, don’t let that fool you; it’s not just a quick snorkel. You can spend a good chunk of an hour here, finning over the deck, ducking into the cargo hold if you’re comfortable with small penetrations – it’s really more of an overhead environment, open to the light. The structure itself is a rusty skeleton, draped in soft corals and sponges. We’ve spotted everything from lionfish peeking out of crevices to schools of snapper schooling in the shadows. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs crawling over the metalwork. Our pick for this site? Go early in the morning. The light penetration is incredible, illuminating the wreck in a way that really brings out the colours of the corals and the flashes of the fish. It’s perfect for new wreck divers or anyone who just wants a relaxed, interesting dive without the pressure of depth. Just keep an eye on your buoyancy, it’s easy to kick up the silt inside if you’re not careful.
- Location
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 21.490750, 39.163000
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
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 DAMMAM
- 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 DAMMAM
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