Umluj sits on the Saudi stretch of the Red Sea - more than 1,700 kilometres of shoreline carrying reefs that have had very few divers on them. More than 90 islands lie off this coast, and the water immediately offshore is the whole reason to come.
Four days gives two full days on the water with a travel day either side. The boat goes where the wind allows, so the plan is set the evening before rather than fixed in advance.
This one suits swimmers and snorkellers rather than sightseers. There is very little to do on shore, and that is the point of it.
Day by day
Arrive on the coast
You fly in to Jeddah or Yanbu, both on this coast, and are met and driven on to Umluj. Jeddah is the country's second international airport and the standard arrival point for the west coast; Yanbu has an airport as well.
The rest of the day is free. Your skipper confirms the following morning's plan once the wind forecast is in.
A full day on the water
A private boat for the whole day, out to the islands offshore with several snorkelling stops. The reefs on this stretch have been outside mass tourism for decades, which is the proposition: coral in a condition that is now rare in the northern Red Sea.
Mask, snorkel and fins are on board, along with lunch and drinking water. Time in the water is broken up with shade and swimming from the boat, and the day is paced rather than packed.
A second day on the water
A different stretch of reef, chosen on the morning's conditions rather than fixed the week before. Two days is what makes the trip worth the travel - the first day is for finding your feet in the water, the second for going back to whichever site was worth a longer look.
If the wind rules out the boat, the day becomes a shore day on the beaches either side of town, with the boat moved to the following morning where the schedule allows.
Depart Umluj
The morning is free for a last swim from the shore before you check out.
You are then driven back to Jeddah or Yanbu for the onward flight, with the departure time set to your connection.
What is included
- Three nights' accommodation at Umluj with breakfast
- Two full-day private boat charters with a skipper
- Snorkelling equipment - mask, snorkel and fins
- Lunch and drinking water on both boat days
- Airport transfers from Jeddah or Yanbu
- Private vehicle with driver on the coast
- A local contact number for the whole stay
What is not
- International and domestic flights
- The Saudi entry visa, which you apply for yourself through the official portal
- Scuba diving, which is arranged separately with a licensed centre
- Meals other than the two boat lunches and breakfast
- Travel insurance, tips and personal spending
The places on this trip
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