Diving in Saudi Arabia

[Grocio]

Hi there,

I'll probably travel for work to Saudi Arabia next year and I certainly intend to dive there if I come. I could travel either in March or in August. I was just wondering whether any of those two months might be good to see large pelagic activity. Any idea?

Thanks in advance for your reaction!

 

[Searcaigh]

Grocio,

I see that your dates have changed slightly since you posted in the Gulf forum.

Most of the Red Sea diving in Saudi is shore based, with a few operators running boat dives, namely Desert Sea Divers who run a three tank dive most Fridays.

Dream Divers did run liveaboards but I did hear that this has stopped, perhaps somebody currently living in Saudi can comment (Michael?)

The shore diving is great, I lived in Saudi between 1986-1997 and had some amazing dives in places I know that nobody had ever dived before. However large pelagic encounters are few and far between, I would not count on seeing much, luck certainly plays a great part.

My last dive in Saudi was two years ago (during a business trip to Jeddah), I managed five dives over a weekend, best to stay at a hotel with it's own beach (Sheraton is highly recommended), most of the diving is in North Obhur, but if you are brave enough to rent a car (4x4) you can access other spots outside of Jeddah such as Shoiba south of Jeddah but beware of the Coast Guard who will randomly appear and can ruin your day. I was arrested twice by them during my years there.