Dive sites near Yanbu
Yanbu diving centres on the Red Sea reefs off Saudi Arabia's west coast. The official destination page lists Seven Sisters as a reef target (updated 19 August 2026). Visibility, marine life and conditions vary by day, so treat the name as a target and not as a promise.
A dive operator in Yanbu names these targets for October 2026: Iona Wreck, Nemo Garden, Canyon, Seven Sisters and Abo Galawa. Which one you actually dive depends on the weather, your certification level and the boat plan of the day. Ask the centre which site is planned and why.
Our picks: diving
Our take: the beach dive with an instructor is the option on the Yanbu side. The two Jeddah trips are for divers who already travel there, one for certified divers and one as an introduction without a certificate.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Beach dive with an instructor
- Beach entrance fees
- Diving equipment
- Certified diving instructor
Four hours with a certified instructor, equipment included. Clarify the meeting point before you book, because the listing is unclear about transfers.
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Try scuba diving with a basic course, Jeddah
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Transportation from our shop
An introduction without a certificate, about four hours and based in Jeddah. This product has no reviews yet.
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Boat dive day from Jeddah for certified divers
- Soda/Pop
- Snacks
For divers who already hold a certificate, about six hours from Jeddah. Equipment is not listed, so ask the operator what you need to bring.
Check availability →Diving and water activities in Yanbu
A beach dive with an instructor, dive days from Jeddah and water sports, with live prices and availability.
Dive centre prices (SAR, October 2026)
The figures below come from one dive operator in Yanbu and show what a trip can cost. They are not a market price. Other centres may charge differently.
A weekend trip with 2 dives costs 475 SAR per diver, with departures on Fridays and Saturdays in October 2026. Nitrox costs 30 SAR per cylinder and is only for certified divers. Snorkeling is listed at 350 SAR per person and day in October 2026. Ask beforehand whether snorkeling equipment is included.
For a private boat, the same operator lists 3,000 SAR per boat for 1 to 5 divers and 490 SAR for each additional diver. That is a private dive boat price and not a ferry fare.
Courses and certification
The operator lists Open Water at 2,500 SAR over 3 days and Advanced Open Water at 1,800 SAR over 2 days. Open Water leads to your first certification. Discover Scuba is a guided introduction for people without a certificate, and you dive under supervision. It is not the same as diving independently.
A PADI directory entry shows a Yanbu centre with courses, rental equipment, a training pool and a dive boat. A directory listing is not proof of a government licence, so ask a centre what it holds. If you need accessibility support, describe your needs in advance and let the centre answer in detail.
The beach dive with an instructor offered here runs for 4 hours. It includes beach entrance fees, diving equipment and a certified diving instructor. Meals, drinks and transport are not included, and no pickup is promised, so plan your own way to the start.
Red Sea diving from Jeddah
If you are looking at Red Sea diving in Saudi Arabia more widely, two dive products leave from Jeddah, not from Yanbu. Jeddah is about 3.5 hours away by road according to a 2022 guide, so do not plan them as a same-day extra.
One is a dive day of 360 minutes for certified divers, with soda and snacks listed in the inclusions. Equipment is not listed, so ask. The other is an introductory dive of 240 minutes with a Basic Diver Course for people without a certificate. Its inclusions are SCUBA equipment and transport from the shop to the place of the experience. It does not promise a boat dive, and it has no reviews yet. Neither is a Yanbu trip.
Weather, permits and cancellations
In bad weather, or if the coast guard has not issued a departure permit, trips can be cancelled or targets changed. Keep a spare day and check the cancellation terms. For monthly climate averages, see weather and best time. Those figures are long-term averages and say nothing about sea conditions.
The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) states that some islands need permits or accredited guides because of their sensitivity. In protected marine areas, anchoring, navigation and activities are prohibited or require approval, and it points to accredited dive centres for diving from yachts. Do not assume you may land on, camp on or fish around any island. More on boats and permits is on the snorkeling page, and boat trips from Jeddah are compared on the tours page.
Check current travel advice first. Germany's Federal Foreign Office has warned against travel to Saudi Arabia since 29 October 2026, and the FCDO names Yanbu in its notice of 27 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I dive in Yanbu without a certificate?
An introductory dive such as Discover Scuba is a guided option for people without a certificate. A certification course like Open Water takes 3 days at the example centre.
Is snorkeling gear included in the day price?
Ask before you pay whether snorkeling equipment comes with the 350 SAR day listed for October 2026.
Are the dive prices fixed?
No. They are example prices from one operator for October 2026. Check the current price with the centre.
Is this the official diving website of Yanbu?
No. This is an independent guide, not run by Visit Saudi, the Saudi Tourism Authority, RCJY or a dive centre.