Yanbu vs Farasan Islands — Dive Destination Comparison
Yanbu (Saudi Arabia) scores 67.3/100 vs Farasan Islands's 59.5/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Yanbu for reef diving with 15–35m visibility. Choose Farasan Islands for reef diving at ~$110/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Yanbu | Farasan Islands |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 67.3/100 | 59.5/100 |
| Country | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia |
| Visibility | 15--35m | 10--30m |
| Water temp | 22--32 C | 25--33 C |
| Max depth | 35m | 30m |
| Current | mild | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $100 | $110 |
| Budget tier | mid range | mid range |
| Best months | October, November, December | October, November, December |
| Dive types | reef, wall, wreck, shore | reef, drift, pelagic, mangrove |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | hawksbill turtle, Napoleon wrasse, grey reef shark | dugong, manta ray, whale shark |
| Google rating | 4.5 (120 reviews) | 4.4 (55 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Yanbu when...
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Groups seeking 30+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is mixed-only
Choose Farasan Islands when...
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Anyone visiting Red Sea for the first time
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You prefer uncrowded sites and this has 15+ named spots drawing traffic
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Yanbu wins on overall score (67.3 vs 59.5), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Yanbu is more affordable ($100 vs $110/dive). Yanbu has better peak visibility (35m vs 30m).