INSTEAD OF SUDAN WE DIVE IN SAUDI ARABIA
Your liveaboard in Saudi Arabia, M/Y ANDROMEDA
Due to the political climate in Sudan at the moment, we have decided to sail to Saudi Arabia this spring and dive the Farasan Banks which are at the same latitude as the Sudanese dive sites except on the Eastern shores of the Red Sea.
About Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is surrounded by never ending legends, famous stories, and mysteries. Up until a few years ago, entry into the country was permitted only to religious pilgrims and business visitors. However recently, when the country began to issue tourist visas as well, it opened its doors even wider, and travellers can finally explore this enigmatic country, full of cultural and historical sites.
The Arabian Peninsula is a large, mostly desert-covered geographic area, at the convergence of Southwest Asia and Africa in the Middle East and with great petroleum and natural gas reserves that gave the region great economic and political presence in the 20th century.
In the middle of the desert is the Saudi capital Riyadh with a population of more than 7 million.
About Jeddah
Our first group of divers landed here in March this year. They travelled by bus to the town of Al Lith, and from the harbour they sailed toward Farasan Banks. The Red Sea coast town of Jeddah is a port city and a commercial centre, and the second largest city in the Kingdom.
Flights to/from Jeddah
– From your country to Jeddah (most large cities now have direct flights to Jeddah)
– Or you may choose your flight to Jeddah at your preference
Saudi tourist visa
Nationals of the countries listed on the visa portal www.visa.visitsaudi.com may easily and quickly purchase the Saudi tourist visa on this or on the portal www.visa.mofa.gov.sa in the form of an e-visa.
The 365-day Saudi tourist visa is a multiple-entry visa, permitting a stay for up to 90 days in the country per entry.
The tourist visa may also be purchased on arrival for nationals listed on the above portal but we recommend this to last-minute travellers only. Whether online or on arrival, you are able to pay with a card only. (The visa fee, including mandatory insurance, is about USD110.)
Boat schedules
From February until March 29, Friday – Friday
From March 31 until the end of May, Sunday – Sunday
Your liveaboard: M/Y Andromeda
M/Y Andromeda is a diving motor yacht (liveaboard). She boasts 4 decks and provides guest accommodations in 13 double cabins. Each cabin is air-conditioned, equipped with en-suite bathroom with sink, toilet, and hot-water shower. One dive deck, a spacious diving platform, and 3 sun decks provide comfort and ample space for our guests. There is a dining room, a salon, and a beloved shisha room. For most of the dives our divers are transferred to the dive sites with 2 zodiacs. Our boat is fast, spacious, and comfortable – a large liveaboard with a warm and helpful crew.
Diving
Dive with us the Farasan Banks, famous for their out-of-this-world reefs and wild islands. Sizeable fish and magical walls are waiting for you this coming spring on our Saudi diving safaris. Jacques Cousteau’s first expedition to the Red Sea aboard his beloved Calypso was in 1963, and exactly in these waters which he called one of the most amazing and most pristine places on Earth.
The Farasan Banks are a large collection of islands made up of islets and coral reefs. The entire region is of volcanic origin. The madrepore (stony coral) columns growing on the rim of the old craters formed these vertical walls from the depths of over 300 metres. The islets, mainly circular or oblong in shape, are often surrounded by an outer coral belt which are testament to their volcanic origins. At first glance the islands and islets seem to be similar however each has its own secret, starting with the different composition of the fossilised coral layers that determined their formation.
The very fine coral sand on the shores is an ideal home for turtles that lay their eggs there all year round. Bird colonies nesting in the low vegetation make this group of islands a rare and beautiful natural oasis.
The demand for our new destination is quite high, so please make sure to reserve your places on the boat optionally before purchasing any flight tickets.
Price list
BASIC TOUR EXPENSES
1. Boat rate: 1 478 EUR/person/week + 15% VAT
2. Fuel surcharge: 150 EUR/person/week
3. Saudi Arabian taxes, permissions, transfer, marina: 250 EUR/person/week
Feel free to contact us for further details (prices, group discount, free weeks, extras). We look forward to seeing you all in Saudi Arabia on board M/Y Andromeda!
Check out our brand new website: https://diving-saudi-arabia.com/
