Travel Blog: Working as a Dive Guide on the Almonda
Route: Yanbu - Five Corals & Seven Sisters and another week further north
August 24 - September 14, 2024
Guiding in Saudi Arabia on the M/Y Almonda Liveaboard
If you think I'm on vacation every time I'm in Saudi Arabia, you're mistaken! Each of my stays is work-related, for different projects.
Whether it's for meetings in Riyadh (sometimes with the Ministry of Tourism!), meeting with my Saudi partner, or catching up with the tour guides and friends I've met during my travels here.
This time, I had the pleasure of working as a guide on the M/Y Almonda liveaboard for three weeks. The first two diving safaris took place in the north at Five Corals and Seven Sisters, and I spent the third week further north at some beautiful dive sites. I can't reveal the exact location, but those who are familiar with Saudi diving will know the special treasures that the north holds.
In this blog post, I'll share some insights about the Five Corals & Seven Sisters route in Saudi Arabia and give you more information about my time on board.
Ocean Breeze Liveaboards
M/Y Almonda
The M/Y Almonda is a liveaboard dive vessel that offers tours to the best dive sites in Saudi Arabia. I've been on board many times and am still thrilled every time. The entire crew is top-notch, and you dive at the best reefs in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea.
This time, I had the pleasure of being a member of the team and showing adventurous divers the Five Corals and Seven Sisters dive region.
There aren't many liveaboard operators in Saudi Arabia, and that's a good thing. Saudi Arabia is, and hopefully will remain for many years to come, one of the diving destinations WITHOUT mass tourism.
August 22nd, 2024
I flew directly from Vienna to Jeddah with WIZZ Air. While it's definitely not my favorite airline, it was the most convenient option due to the direct connection. Since the diving safari didn't start until August 24th, I spent the evening and the next day in Jeddah, catching up on emails and enjoying shisha with friends.
Diving Safaris in Yanbu and Jeddah
August 24th - August 31st, 2024
It's time to set sail! The first diving safari was ready to begin. Maged and I had the pleasure of showing our guests the beautiful dive sites in the north, specifically the Five Corals and Seven Sisters region.
The first week saw a colorful mix of different nationalities: Spanish, English, American, German, French, Saudi, Omani, Egyptian, and myself, Austrian.
The second week was a 100% Saudi week. Most of the guests came from the eastern side of Saudi Arabia, a few from Jeddah, and the others from different regions within Saudi Arabia.
Both weeks were WORLD CLASS, and I had a lot of fun showing everyone the beautiful underwater world of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea.
Diving in Yanbu: An Underwater Paradise
The diving area off the coast of Yanbu is absolutely incredible. After a journey of only about 18 kilometers, you reach the "Seven Sisters" area, where dive sites like Marker 32, Marker 34, Abu Galawa, Marker 39, and other impressive reefs are waiting to be explored.
Impressive plateaus of all sizes and hunting grounds for the big predators of the seas. Hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and tiger sharks are the kings here. But the walls are also breathtaking: an abundance of hard corals mixed with gorgonian forests, and in the light, an incredible array of life is revealed on the pristine reefs.
Only 8 kilometers further south lies the isolated Mansi Reef, or Marker 42, a large coral pillar rising from the depths, its walls densely covered with gorgonians. With a bit of luck, a school of hammerhead sharks will appear here, which likes to stay on the southern slope. It was a bit too warm for us, so no school visited us, but at least four individuals paid us a visit.
Further south, after 16 kilometers, you reach Sha’ab Suflani, or Marker 44. Here the walls drop vertically to a depth of over 300 meters. Ideal for blue water dives.
The water temperature during the two weeks was a bit too warm, at 32 degrees Celsius at the surface. Nevertheless, we were incredibly lucky to see a tiger shark up close, and some hammerhead sharks also said "hello". There were currents, but mostly moderate, except for one dive with a pretty strong current, including down-current swimming. So we were also a bit sporty to be able to eat more between dives.
Next Stop - Al Wajh الوجه & Duba ضبا and diving in the North of Saudi Arabia
Onwards to Al Wajh and Duba
After two fantastic weeks, it was time to move on to Al Wajh and from there with the yacht to Duba.
Al Wajh, a charming port city, is located in the Tabuk province and is one of the largest cities in this region, easily accessible from Yanbu. You basically drive along the coast and arrive directly in Al Wajh. This small, quiet, and authentic town offers beautiful surroundings and a few attractions, such as Al Wajh Castle. Al Wajh also has a domestic airport with flights to several destinations within Saudi Arabia, such as Riyadh and Jeddah.
Upon arrival in Al Wajh, we continued our journey to Duba. However, not by land, but with the yacht Dolphin Island. A 12-hour journey lay ahead of us before we reached Duba, where we welcomed our guests the next morning.
The port city of Duba is located directly on the coast of the Red Sea and is becoming increasingly important as it serves as a gateway to the megacity NEOM.
NEOM is located in the Tabuk province and was launched in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Several regions are planned within NEOM itself, such as THE LINE, Magna, the luxury island Sindalah, and Trojena.
A Week of Wonders in the Northern Red Sea
I can't reveal too much about this week, but I can say it was another incredible one in the Red Sea, in northern Saudi Arabia. We dived and explored impressive dive sites with unique formations, examined seagrass meadows unlike any I've ever seen before, and discovered turtle nesting sites on the stunning islands.
A fantastic week with amazing people, first-class teamwork, and special moments.
After this week, I continued to Riyadh for a meeting with my Saudi Arabian partner to discuss the next steps in our project.
I landed in Riyadh around 6 p.m., and it was still an incredible 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit!). However, the humidity was manageable, not like in Jeddah or Yanbu, where it was sometimes quite warm.
Conclusion:
The Five Corals & Seven Sisters Dive Route: A Must-Do in Northern Saudi Arabia
Anyone who loves plateaus, drop-offs, and big fish should visit the Five Corals & Seven Sisters dive route in northern Saudi Arabia. This region, like the Farasan Banks in the south, offers incredible opportunities to encounter pelagic species. Tiger sharks, hammerheads, and silky sharks call these waters home, and there's a good chance you'll encounter them on your dives.
For those who also want to explore the country, don't hesitate to extend your stay in Saudi Arabia. Rent a car and explore cities like Yanbu, Duba, and Al Wajh. Make a stop in the Tabuk province and check out the NEOM region.
Of course, I am available for detailed and exclusive travel planning. Just get in touch with me!
Nina Dittrich WhatsApp: +436648466902
Phone: +436648466902
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