27
Farasan Hotel is the only hotel on the island and accommodation is limited, so it is necessary to book in advance. The hotel can arrange land tours, overnight guided sea trips, fishing, snorkelling and deep sea diving for the accredited diver.
Eastern Province
Although the Eastern Province is heavily industrialised, the aquatic life thrives. Only 32 km from the city of Jubail lies a chain of five coral atolls: Harqus, Karan, Kurayn, Jana and Jurayd. These tiny islands, which are an hour's boat ride from Jubail, were formed when sand built up on a sub- merged coral reef until it broke the surface of the sea.
Because the Persian Gulf is in one of the hottest regions in the world, its waters evaporate faster than the few entering rivers can replenish it. This gives it a high salt con- centration, and technically the life it supports should not be possible.
But the coral is extensive and colour- ful, and the fish life is varied with shoals of sweetlips and angelfish swimming together. Parrotfish, stingrays, lobsters and octopus have all been seen here.
The islands are also a protected breed- ing ground for turtles and for that reason it is necessary to have permission to visit the islands during the breeding season.
Yanbu
Another industrial area, with hidden depths, is the town of Yanbu, which boasts more than 1,930 km of the world's best coral reef. The reef stretches from Yemen to Jordan and carries more than 450 species of fish. Yanbu is on the coast of The Red Sea and it is a booming industrial town with petrochem- ical plants, refineries and a lively port.
Despite the industrial surroundings the marine life in Yanbu is vast and varied, with turtles, whales, dolphins and even the dugong, which is otherwise known as the manatee or sea cow. This large sea mammal is believed to be the animal on which the myth of the mermaid is based.
Several important dive sites are located in the stretch of sea between Al Hasani Island, north of Yanbu, and Sha'ah al Abjad in the south, and diving treks leave from the port of El Sharm. There are many more amazing atolls in the region, each with its own secret shoals, and from the north side of Gotha el Sharm Reef divers can even reach the wreck of the Shouna, an old Turkish steam ship that sank a few miles out from the port of Yanbu.
Snorkelling
There are two popular resorts for snorkelling in Saudi Arabia, Obhur Creek in the Makkah Prov- ince, and Al Khobar in the Eastern Province. Both of these have easily accessible snorkelling, which is often as close as the end of the nearest pier. The Red Sea provides warm, safe and fish- abundant waters, ideal for snorkelling. Some of the best snorkelling sites are: North Obhur; Al Bilad Beach; Al Nakheel; Blue Beach; The Pin- nacles; Obhur Creek; Andulus Marina; Broken Dock; and the Rabigh District. Rabigh is 150 km to the north of Jeddah and is easily reached by the expressway linking Jeddah with Yanbu. There are numerous locations along this length of the peninsula that allow access to the sea to the west or to the inland bay that is created by the peninsula to the east.
saudiarabia 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80