Almonda, the luxury Saudi Arabian Liveaboard Holiday
Saudi Arabian Liveaboard, Almonda
Scuba Diving Holidays in Saudi Arabia
One of the true last unexplored coral seas of the world has recently been made accessible to tourists. So, our advice is to go and see before the crowds of holiday divers get here!
This has to be one of the greatest new underwater adventures anywhere in the world and we have teamed up with an beautiful boat offering several itineraries offering spectacular reefs, walls and marine life!
M/Y Almonda
Almonda is a luxury Red Sea livaboard based in Saudi Arabia. She was built in 2017 to a very high standard. She is 40m long with an 8.6m beam meaning she is incredibly stable in the water.
Sleeping up to 24 guests in 12 spacious staterooms that include 8 deluxe cabins that have twin beds, 2 double cabins with a queen bed, and 2 master suites with queen beds.
As well as the restaurant that serves 3 buffet meals through the day, Almonda has plenty of room to chill out in between dives including a salon, partially covered sundeck and a larger open sun deck where the jacuzzi is located.
Saudia Arabian Liveaboard Itineries
Farasan Banks
The Farasan Banks are a pristine reef system and islands that are home to birdlife including gannets, and ospreys. Underwater, divers can expect to see whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, white tip reef sharks, black tips, turtles, hard & soft corals, as well as all of the usual marine life you would expect to find in the Red Sea.
Five Corals have an extraordinary abundance of marine life including pelagics and colourful coral formations and is home to several shark species including whale sharks, hammerheads, white tips, black tips, silkies, silvertips and possibly even a Tiger Shark!
Seven Sisters is has several plateaus that stretch out to the blue making it possible to see hammerhead sharks, silkies, silver tips and the occasional manta ray. The reef walls are littered with gorgonian forests as well as other hard and soft corals.
Divers should be a minimum of Advanced open water with 35 dives.
No, consumption of alcohol is not allowed in Saudi Arabia.
Can non-divers go?
Yes, and the Saudi Arabian year long sunshine makes it a great place to escape and chillout with some new found friends.
Can we visit other parts of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, our travel team would be very happy to give you ideas on other places to visit. Saudi Arabia is a huge country with a variety of amazing places to visit!
The cruise departs from the port of Al Lith, located 210 km south of Jeddah. Just outside the port in spring, whale shark families can be spotted feeding on the nutrient-rich plankton below the coastal waters. After a 3-hour navigation, you'll reach the first dive sites - spots that immediately convey a sense of exploring an undiscovered world. Besides excellent diving, Mar Mar Island serves as a splendid overnight mooring. Nearby are the islands of Dohra, Jadir, and Malathu, along with the spectacular Gorgonia, Bandu, and Long Reef outcroppings. 25 km south lies a second reef area, including Sha'ab Ammar, a large horseshoe-shaped reef used for overnight anchorage.
Continuing south, you'll encounter the islets of Danak, Jabbara, Eagle, and the atolls of Mudarr, Fantasy, and Choppy - stages for spectacular diving. A common feature of these sites is the incredible variety of hard and soft corals on the plateaus, and the massive presence of reef and pelagic fish. Diving the north-south drops, we witness large pelagics, including hammerhead and tiger sharks, passing by. Almondo also passes the remarkably pristine Mubarak Reef and Marbat Al Khail. The last dive at Canyon Reef closes this wonderful itinerary on the edge of reality.
Seven Sisters & Five Corals
Starting from the port of Yanbu and sailing 18 kilometers west, you will reach the Seven Sisters area. Dives at sites like Marker 32, Marker 34, Abu Galawa, and Marker 39 offer opportunities to explore plateaus that stretch towards the blue sea, where you may spot shoals of large pelagic fish.
Hammerheads, silvertips, and silky sharks rule these waters, but the real surprise is the rich coral walls, bursting with hard corals and gorgonian forests. In the soft light of sunrise and sunset, you'll discover incredible marine life thriving on these intact reefs. Continue 8 kilometers south to the isolated Mansi reef, also known as Marker 42 or "the forgotten" in Arabic - a large madreporic column rising from the deep, with walls draped in gorgonians. If you're lucky, you may spot a school of hammerheads stationed along the southern slope against the blue water backdrop. 16 kilometers further south lies the Sha'ab Suflani atoll, or Marker 44, with sheer walls plunging over 300 meters into the deep.";s:10:"7_wpeditor";s:0:"";}|a:7:{s:10:"1_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:10:"8_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:11:"10_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:10:"9_wpeditor";s:172:"[gallery size="large" ids="34037,34036,34035,34034,34033,34032,34031,34030,34029,34028,34027,34026,34025,34024,34023,34022,34021,34020,34019,34018,34017,34016,34015,34014"]";s:11:"12_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:11:"11_wpeditor";s:2343:"
Farasan Banks
The cruise departs from the port of Al Lith, located 210 km south of Jeddah. Just outside the port in spring, whale shark families can be spotted feeding on the nutrient-rich plankton below the coastal waters. After a 3-hour navigation, you'll reach the first dive sites - spots that immediately convey a sense of exploring an undiscovered world. Besides excellent diving, Mar Mar Island serves as a splendid overnight mooring. Nearby are the islands of Dohra, Jadir, and Malathu, along with the spectacular Gorgonia, Bandu, and Long Reef outcroppings. 25 km south lies a second reef area, including Sha'ab Ammar, a large horseshoe-shaped reef used for overnight anchorage.
Continuing south, you'll encounter the islets of Danak, Jabbara, Eagle, and the atolls of Mudarr, Fantasy, and Choppy - stages for spectacular diving. A common feature of these sites is the incredible variety of hard and soft corals on the plateaus, and the massive presence of reef and pelagic fish. Diving the north-south drops, we witness large pelagics, including hammerhead and tiger sharks, passing by. Almondo also passes the remarkably pristine Mubarak Reef and Marbat Al Khail. The last dive at Canyon Reef closes this wonderful itinerary on the edge of reality.
Seven Sisters & Five Corals
Starting from the port of Yanbu and sailing 18 kilometers west, you will reach the Seven Sisters area. Dives at sites like Marker 32, Marker 34, Abu Galawa, and Marker 39 offer opportunities to explore plateaus that stretch towards the blue sea, where you may spot shoals of large pelagic fish.
Hammerheads, silvertips, and silky sharks rule these waters, but the real surprise is the rich coral walls, bursting with hard corals and gorgonian forests. In the soft light of sunrise and sunset, you'll discover incredible marine life thriving on these intact reefs. Continue 8 kilometers south to the isolated Mansi reef, also known as Marker 42 or "the forgotten" in Arabic - a large madreporic column rising from the deep, with walls draped in gorgonians. If you're lucky, you may spot a school of hammerheads stationed along the southern slope against the blue water backdrop. 16 kilometers further south lies the Sha'ab Suflani atoll, or Marker 44, with sheer walls plunging over 300 meters into the deep.";s:10:"7_wpeditor";s:0:"";}
Intinerary
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