Jeddah Scuba Diving in December

[captainace]

Hello everyone,
I will be in Jeddah this coming weekend, December 20. I used to go scuba diving in Jeddah like 15 years ago. My question is who do you recommend to discuss a day with two dives, with boat. Also, does anyone how the visibility is these days? Thank you.

 

[NothingClever]

Rabih al Haber will be a great start point.

His webpage is Hope of Spring | Diving in Equilibrium - PADI Dive Resort -Jeddah

The two resorts I used to dive from were La Plage and Red Sea Sheraton. Some new ones popped up since I left in Dec 2020.

Red Sea Resort – Red Sea Marina

redseamarina.com

 

[Etmutt]

hey,

Sheraton reef is no good anymore but same good service as always

laplage is ok on reef and service

lamer has the best reef although the service was lacking last time I checked

by boat you do not have the equivalent of desert sea anymore. closest bet is Haddad daily boat (be careful to make sure you will go with the SMALL boat the big one is only going close to the port)

 

[NothingClever]

From a message group I’m still on. Looks like KSA is trying to get ahead of the fallout in Egypt.

Dear clients and friends,
Hope of Spring regrets to inform you that the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF) has issued yesterday a decision (effective immediately) preventing us, and all other registered dive centers, from organizing trips with 10 different liveaboard yachts, including Royal Evolution which was booked for our trip on Jan 30-Feb 1st. This decision came as a surprise and has led to cancellation of several other liveaboard trips, and divers coming from abroad had to cancel their flights. Please accept our sincere apologies for canceling this upcoming trip due to reasons that are beyond our control. We are in touch with the SWSDF to understand which liveaboard yachts are in compliance with the rules and regulations and are allowed to operate in the Kingdom. We will keep you posted of any further updates on new trips.

For more informations about refund contact me privately.

 

[Parlem]

From a message group I’m still on. Looks like KSA is trying to get ahead of the fallout in Egypt.

Dear clients and friends,
Hope of Spring regrets to inform you that the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF) has issued yesterday a decision (effective immediately) preventing us, and all other registered dive centers, from organizing trips with 10 different liveaboard yachts, including Royal Evolution which was booked for our trip on Jan 30-Feb 1st. This decision came as a surprise and has led to cancellation of several other liveaboard trips, and divers coming from abroad had to cancel their flights. Please accept our sincere apologies for canceling this upcoming trip due to reasons that are beyond our control. We are in touch with the SWSDF to understand which liveaboard yachts are in compliance with the rules and regulations and are allowed to operate in the Kingdom. We will keep you posted of any further updates on new trips.

For more informations about refund contact me privately.

Hi!
So does the "decision" involve the tightening of safety protocols and crew requirements, then? I'm guessing that's what you're implying, but I'd appreciate confirmation.

Thanks.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

There is a statement from Red Sea Paradise for Cruises S.A.E., owner of the Royal Evolution forwarded by Tauchen.net on their Facebook profile saying

Although we met all the required standards, we were informed that under the new regulations, passenger ships older than 15 years can no longer be operated, even if they are in perfect condition and have all the necessary certifications.​

 

[NothingClever]

So does the "decision" involve the tightening of safety protocols and crew requirements, then?

I rather doubt it. I think this is the latest in a long series of knee jerk reactions from the KSA government’s without any substantive change.

I’d really like to be wrong and see an evolution in maritime safety.

 

[Searcaigh]

Some friends of mine are heading on a LOB to the Farasan Islands on Saturday

They received this message

I recieved email from our operator last week stating that new regulations have stopped all Liveaboards with non-Saudi Flags and non-Saudi owners