Galaxea

Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

The team at Galaxea are the real deal in Yanbu. We love their relaxed approach, but don’t mistake that for anything less than professional. They’re a PADI 5 Star centre, so you know the training is top-notch, whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your skills. What truly sets them apart, though, is their deep understanding of the local Red Sea sites. They specialise in getting divers to those outer reefs, the ones that aren’t hammered by daily traffic. We’d suggest chatting with them about their trips to the Seven Sisters or the Yanbu Barge if you’re looking for something with a bit more punch than the usual shallow reefs. We’ve found their guides have an uncanny knack for spotting the more elusive critters – think crocodile fish camouflaged perfectly on the sand, or tiny nudibranchs you’d otherwise swim straight past. Conditions out here can be gloriously calm, but currents pick up sometimes, so listen to their briefings. They’ll get you in the water at the right time, when the light hits the corals just so, making the reef come alive in a shimmer of blues and purples.