A Red Sea passage through coral reefs and heritage ports, blending marine life with authentic coastal culture.
Stretching from Yanbu’s coral plains to the wild archipelago of the Farasan Banks, the Hijaz Coast is where the Red Sea reveals its most vivid colours and quietest moods. The Hijaz Coast & Farasan Banks voyage traces this southern arc — a route of pure seafaring character, steeped in pearl-diving history and framed by ochre mountains that fall straight to turquoise water. Days unfold to the rhythm of the wind and tide: dawn swims over coral pinnacles, slow sails through mirror-calm lagoons, evenings under a desert moon with the scent of cardamom drifting from the galley. Remote yet surprisingly navigable, this is the definitive Saudi Red Sea experience — luxurious, unhurried, and deeply connected to the region’s maritime soul.
Day 1 – Yanbu Embarkation
Board your yacht at the Royal Commission Marina, Yanbu. After a welcome reception and safety briefing, cruise out through calm lagoonal channels to anchor off Sharm Yanbu. Enjoy a twilight swim and a dinner of spiced hammour and citrus couscous beneath the stars.
Day 2 – Yanbu Reef System
Explore the outer reef’s labyrinth of coral spurs and blue holes, famed among divers for crystal visibility. Your marine biologist leads a briefing on Red Sea biodiversity and coral adaptation. Afternoon sail southward past volcanic headlands before anchoring near Umluj.
Day 3 – Umluj Islands
Often called the “Saudi Maldives,” these low sand islets glow pale gold against glass-clear water. Snorkel shallow coral gardens and drift over seagrass beds where turtles graze. Optional beach setup with shaded daybeds and chilled refreshments. Dinner aboard as dolphins pass the bow.
Day 4 – Umluj to Al Wajh
A longer passage (≈45 nm) brings you to Al Wajh — a quiet coastal town once central to the Hejaz trade routes. Visit coral-stone ruins ashore with your historian, tracing Ottoman-era maritime life. Sunset cocktails on the flybridge; gentle overnight anchorage.
Day 5 – Al Lith Whale Shark Corridor
Sail south into deeper water near Al Lith, where whale sharks often gather from February to May. Join your dive guide for open-water encounters or snorkel beside the gentle giants. Afternoon sail toward sheltered reefs surrounded by brilliant aquamarine shallows.
Day 6 – Offshore Atolls & Coral Pinnacles
Cruise through a scatter of unnamed reefs and sand cays. The tender scouts lagoons for swimming and drone photography. The chef arranges a beach grill on a pristine spit — barefoot dining with the sound of waves on coral sand.
Day 7 – Shib Ammar Reef
Morning dive at Shib Ammar, a celebrated wall dive alive with anthias, fusiliers, and soft corals. Non-divers can explore the reef rim by kayak. Afternoon at leisure — yoga on the aft deck or quiet reading beneath the awning.
Day 8 – Farasan Banks Marine Reserve
Enter the Farasan Banks, a vast mosaic of atolls, sandbars, and seagrass meadows. Spend the day navigating narrow channels where coral heads rise just below the surface. Drop anchor in a sheltered lagoon for an evening of stargazing and bioluminescent night swims.
Day 9 – Farasan Islands
Land ashore at Farasan Al Kabir to visit the coral-built merchant houses of Al Qassar village and meet local fishermen. Afternoon dive at Long Reef or snorkel in seagrass shallows frequented by dugongs. Dinner features locally caught lobster and sumac butter.
Day 10 – Jazan Mangroves & Coastal Villages
Continue south to Jazan’s rich mangrove ecosystems. Explore by tender with your naturalist, spotting herons and juvenile rays gliding through the roots. Optional visit to a coastal village to learn about traditional dhow carpentry.
Day 11 – Desert Springs & Farewell Anchorage
Anchor near the coastline’s palm-fed freshwater springs for a final swim. Crew arranges a desert-style farewell dinner — lanterns, Arabic coffee, and live oud beneath the night sky.
Day 12 – Disembarkation at Jazan
Arrive at Jazan Port for customs and onward transfers. Farewell brunch on deck as the morning sun warms the southern Red Sea.
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