Arabie Saoudite

For years cloaked in secrecy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exploded on to the tourist track. International Cultural Tourism has been evident for many years with groups coming from Japan, America and Europe. Saudi Arabia is now announcing Year of the Diver. Diving the unspoiled reefs which, for so many years has been dived by the small number of local and guest workers, is now open to all Divers. The Red Sea is rated as one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. Egypt, Sudan and Jordan offer fantastic diving, but how many of you have dived the Saudi Arabian Red Sea? How many of you know anyone who has? Without question, many if not most of the outer reefs in that region have never been dived. The diversity of marine life and fauna along the reefs really are quite exquisite and offer the diver a high quality and extremely memorable diving experience. The excursion is currently only available by liveaboard. The MY Dream Voyager and MY Dream Master were built specifically for diving in one of Dubai ’s renowned shipyards.  Dream Voyager and Dream Master are fully designed and equipped for Diving and covers all the dive sites in the Saudi Arabian waters of the Red Sea.

YANBU

The city of Yanbu al Bahar , which in Arabic means “Yanbu by the Sea”, is located 300km North of Jeddah, on the same longitude as the Zabargad Islands in Egypt . Leaving the port of El Sharm several dive sites located in the stretch of sea between Al Hasani Island, north of Yanbu and Sha’ah al Abjad in the South can be reached. 8 miles to the West is the Gotha el Sharm reef , a first taste of this untouched sea with its magnificent coral sculptures still intact. Close by, on the north side of the reef one can dive on the wreck of the Shouna. The epicentre of the cruise is the Seen Reefs complex, found approx. 27 miles from the departure port. Sha’ab al Markeb , Abu Sulul , Mansi , Tawil , Abu Galawa , Shabarir and Testes; each has its own unique characteristics but all have in common the spectacular surroundings and strong presence of large pelagic fish. These dives are considered to be among the best the Red Sea has to offer, clear waters, intact coral, steep walls and many pelagic fish that are becoming used to the presence of man. Numerous hammerhead, longimanus, white and grey sharks swim freely and undisturbed in these waters. The cruise continues towards the northern reefs and the dives sites of sha’ab Gurush , sha’ab Suflani and sha’ab Sadiki , true coral atolls emerging from the blue depths. Dives around here are exceptional and the untouched atolls provide a fitting backdrop.

FARASAN BANKS

The Farasan archipelago is made up of a vast coral bank comprising a multitude of reefs and islands extending from south Jeddah up to the coast of Yemen. The Saudi part of the Farasan is divided into two areas called Farasan Banks and the Farasan Archipelago. The Banks are made up of small islands and a multitude of reefs most of which rise above the surface. The port of Al Lith, located 230 km south of Jeddah, is the departure point, and after a journey of approximately 3 hours the first dive sites are reached; small white sand islands alternate with semi-submerged reefs. Real volcanic cones rise up with vertical walls and depths of around 500 metres, upon which are formed islands such as Mar Mar, which apart from offering splendid dives is also the stopover point for the night. The islands of Dohra, al Jadir, Malothu and the Gorgonia, Bandu and Long reefs are nearby. 25 miles south is sha’ab Ammar, a horseshoe shaped reef, also used as a night stopover point. A few miles to the south are the Jabbara and Mudar reefs, setting the scene for spectacular dives. Common characteristics of these sites are the incredible variety of hard coral found on the peaks and the large quantity of fish found in the currents. On descending, one can observe the passage of large pelagic fish, including the much admired tiger shark. Colourful Canyon reef closes this tour of the twilight zone. Before returning to port there is a stop on the mountainous Abu Latt island, to view the breathtaking natural scenery.
 

Vessels: M/Y Dream Voyager