Diving in Yanbu
Why dive here
Yanbu is a species-rich diving destination in Saudi Arabia, with 60+ marine species recorded in the area. Water sits around 26°C.
Yanbu. Now, this is a spot we’ve been quietly raving about to anyone who’ll listen. It’s got that untouched feel, like you've stumbled on something special before the crowds do. The reefs here are just… *lush*. Think soft coral gardens that undulate with every gentle surge, explosions of orange and purple that are genuinely mesmerising. We love the sheer health of the place. You'll find huge stands of table coral and cauliflower coral, providing homes for big schools of fusiliers and anthias that really put on a show. Keep an eye out for orange-lined triggerfish darting amongst the staghorn, and if you’re lucky, a well-camouflaged frogfish tucked away in the sponges. Our favourite dives often involve drifting along walls thick with bubble coral, watching the light play through the shallows. The visibility is usually excellent, often pushing past 25 metres, giving everything a wonderfully clear, almost three-dimensional quality. Dive early in the morning for the best chance of spotting pelagics off the deeper reef edges. It's a proper Red Sea experience, just without the jostle.
Yanbu Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Yanbu
Yanbu Dive Sites
16 dive sites in Yanbu
7 sisters (الشعاب السبعة)
Yanbu's "Seven Sisters" offers a solid Red Sea dive, a series of distinct coral heads that rise from the seafloor. We’ve found the best approach is to pick a couple of pinnacles and really explore them, looking for the smaller residents tucked into the crevices. You’ll often find lionfish hovering under ledges, and parrotfish munching on the coral. It’s a good spot for intermediate divers who appreciate a relaxed drift along the reef, with depths consistently around the 20-meter mark.
alfasma
alfasma is a straightforward shallow dive off Yanbu, maxing out at 17m. It’s a good spot for newer divers looking to get comfortable, or for a relaxed second dive. You’ll typically find a good assortment of reef fish here. We often see moray eels peeking out from the coral heads.
Alharrah الحرة
Alharrah is a shallow, gentle site, perfect for newer divers getting comfortable in the Red Sea. Dropping to a maximum of 13m, the calm conditions let you focus on the reef without worrying about currents. We've seen plenty of smaller reef fish here, along with the occasional moray eel peeking from a crevice. It’s a good spot for a relaxed dive, especially if you’re doing your first few open water excursions.
Al Sheab el Akhdar
Al Sheab el Akhdar offers a straightforward dive on a sloping reef, suitable for most experience levels. Expect to see typical Red Sea reef fish, like parrotfish and surgeonfish, moving among the hard corals. It’s a reliable spot for a relaxed dive, good for getting your bearings in the area without strong currents.
Barracuda Beach
Barracuda Beach in Yanbu offers a straightforward shore dive, perfect for getting back in the water or for divers newer to the Red Sea. You’ll find a gently sloping sandy bottom here, interspersed with small coral patches. Look out for the resident barracuda, along with triggerfish and schools of snapper. It’s a relaxed site, good for shaking off the dust or practicing skills.
CONDRECO IOZ
CONDRECO IOZ is a dive we always recommend for something a bit different in Yanbu. This isn't some pristine, intact vessel; it's a dredging ship, sunk way back in '77 while working on a quay wall. We love that history. It sits upright, an accessible 8 metres deep, and despite its working past, it’s now thoroughly reclaimed by the Red Sea. You'll spend your dive exploring the heavy machinery of a non-propelled cutter suction dredger. Think massive gears, the cutter head itself, and plenty of places for critters to hide. Look closely, and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the metal, moray eels peeking from pipes, and schools of snapper swirling through the superstructure. It's a fantastic spot for photographers looking for something a bit industrial, or newer wreck divers wanting to get comfortable with penetration-free exploration. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the shallower parts of the wreck is just beautiful.
IONA/IONIAN (POSSIBLY)
The Iona, or Ionian as some still call her, sits upright in Yanbu’s waters, a stark silhouette against the blue. Descending onto her deck at 30 metres, you can feel the age of the ship, a former carrier now heavily encrusted. We love navigating the cavernous holds, imagining the cargo she once carried, though now they're home to schools of snapper that dart through the shadows. Look closely, and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the rusted metal and lionfish fanning their spines in the currents. This wreck is perfect for experienced divers who appreciate history and the dramatic transformation of man-made structures into thriving ecosystems. Our favourite spot is exploring the stern, where the propellor offers a grand, if eerie, photo opportunity, often patrolled by a curious moray eel. We'd suggest going early in the morning before the day boats arrive; the light penetration through the Red Sea’s clear water is stunning then, casting ethereal beams onto the wreck. Be mindful of occasional strong downcurrents, particularly around the bow. The Iona isn’t just a dive; it’s a journey back in time, a substantial piece of history waiting to be explored.
Iona Ship Wreck
The Iona wreck in Yanbu is one of our favourite Red Sea wrecks, easily making it a standout. She’s an old steamship, sunk way back in 1918, which means she’s had over a century for the reef to truly swallow her whole. You don't just see a wreck; you see a living, breathing reef that happens to have a ship at its core. Dropping down, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale. She lies fairly deep, so plan your bottom time carefully, but it’s worth every second. We love nosing around the bow, which is often swarming with schools of yellowfin barracuda, just hanging in the gentle current. Further back, the engine room is a highlight, though it’s a penetration for experienced wreck divers only. Inside, it's dark, silty, and utterly captivating, with the occasional flashlight beam picking out a massive moray eel tucked into a crevice. Outside, the decks are a jumble of twisted metal and colourful soft corals. Look for the resident clownfish families peeking out from their anemones, making homes in the strangest places on the wreck. Visibility can be epic here, sometimes over 30 metres, which allows you to appreciate the wreck's full silhouette against the blue. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history intertwined with vibrant marine life, and a strong contender for the best wreck in the region.
Marker 32 المركب
Marker 32 offers a straightforward deep dive in Yanbu, settling right at 29 meters. It’s a site for those looking for a simple descent to depth, good for intermediate divers comfortable with their buoyancy. While we haven't cataloged specific species here yet, we often see the usual suspects of the Red Sea – some parrotfish, groupers, and the occasional triggerfish patrolling the reef. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a relaxed dive without strong currents or complex navigation.
ORPHEUS
The Orpheus in Yanbu is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. We love how accessible it is, literally just sticking out of the water, which means even snorkelers can get a proper look. This bulk carrier went down in 1979, and she’s been slowly coming apart ever since, now forming a sprawling, shallow playground for divers. You’ll find her massive hull plates split open, creating swim-throughs you can fin through, sunlight dappling the coral that’s taken over the steel. Our favourite part is exploring the shallowest sections, where the light penetration is incredible. You can glide over the bridge structure, now a vibrant reef, watching fusiliers dart amongst the twisted metal. Look closely and you’ll spot crocodilefish perfectly camouflaged on the deck plates, and we often see small reef sharks patrolling the deeper edges of the wreckage. It’s an epic site for photographers, especially early morning when the light is soft, or late afternoon for those golden hour shots against the superstructure. Currents can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide to really savour the details.
Qabriyah
Iliuliuk Reef isn't your typical tropical escape. Think cold water, rugged beauty, and a surprising amount of life. We've seen giant octopuses peeking out from rocky crevices and the vivid purple of sunflower stars clinging to the substrate. Keep an eye on the surface, too, because orcas sometimes cruise through, and the gulls and cormorants are always putting on a show. It's a dive for those who appreciate the raw, wild side of the ocean.
Reef Marker-13
Marker-13 in Yanbu offers a decent Red Sea coral dive. You’ll find healthy hard coral formations dropping to around 20 metres, perfect for relaxed exploration. Expect the usual reef suspects – parrotfish, wrasse, and some colourful anthias flitting about. It's a solid choice for an easy second dive or for newer divers looking to build confidence.
Yanbu Dive Centres
17 dive shops and operators in Yanbu
Ocean Wildlife in Yanbu
60 species recorded in Yanbu
Yanbu Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Yanbu, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:08
Sunset
18:56
Daylight
12h 48m
Golden Hour
18:26
First light (dawn) at 05:45 · Last light (dusk) at 19:20
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:15 | 18:03 | 10h 48m |
| Feb | 07:03 | 18:24 | 11h 21m |
| Mar | 06:39 | 18:38 | 11h 59m |
| Apr | 06:08 | 18:51 | 12h 42m |
| May | 05:47 | 19:05 | 13h 18m |
| JunLongest | 05:42 | 19:19 | 13h 37m |
| Jul | 05:51 | 19:20 | 13h 30m |
| AugNow | 06:05 | 19:04 | 12h 59m |
| Sep | 06:16 | 18:34 | 12h 19m |
| Oct | 06:27 | 18:04 | 11h 37m |
| Nov | 06:45 | 17:44 | 10h 59m |
| DecShortest | 07:05 | 17:44 | 10h 39m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Yanbu.
Where to Stay near Yanbu
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Marine Protected Areas near Yanbu
2 protected areas near Yanbu - please respect local regulations when diving
ضفّة الوجه
محمية ينبع الساحلية
Getting to Yanbu
Yanbu
Hanak
Medina
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