Abu Tair - Shiab Alkabir

Abu Tair - Shiab Alkabir is an advanced dive site in the Red Sea waters off Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where a reef system descends to twelve meters in conditions that demand experienced divers despite the shallow depth. The site's position along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast places it within one of the world's most biologically rich marine environments, where warm waters and minimal freshwater input create conditions ideal for coral reef development. The reef at Abu Tair features the hard coral diversity that makes the Red Sea globally significant. Species adapted to the warm, highly saline conditions of the southern Red Sea create dense coral coverage that rivals the best reef sites found anywhere in this storied sea. The coral health reflects the relatively limited diving pressure that Saudi reefs have experienced compared to the heavily visited sites of Egypt and Jordan. Fish populations on the reef are abundant, with species typical of the Red Sea's endemic-rich marine community. Anthias hover in colorful clouds above the coral, their presence in such numbers a hallmark of healthy Red Sea reefs. Butterflyfish, angelfish, and the various wrasses characteristic of these waters add their distinctive patterns to the scene. The Red Sea's high endemism means that many species seen here are found nowhere else on Earth. The reef structure provides habitat for the full spectrum of Red Sea marine life. Moray eels occupy crevices throughout the coral framework, while groupers patrol from prominent overhangs. The sheltered areas harbor nudibranchs, flatworms, and the various crustaceans that make the reef's hidden spaces their domain. The advanced classification at this shallow depth reflects conditions including current, boat traffic near Jeddah, and the specific challenges of diving in the warm, high-salinity waters of the southern Red Sea. Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast remains one of the world's great frontier diving destinations, with sites like Abu Tair offering reef quality that matches or exceeds better-known Red Sea destinations.