While Yemen might not be a nation you’ve ever considered visiting, it is actually home to some outstanding dive sites. Unlike many of the Red Sea’s most popular dive destinations, Yemen has very little in the way of infrastructure for divers, and as western ways are frowned upon, many people elect to steer clear. Luckily for us divers, liveaboard cruises are becoming more popular – it’s possible to travel to isolated, unpopulated areas where marine life is abundant, and where all divers can explore the underwater world without fear. One of the most fascinating destinations Yemen has to offer divers is the Hanish Island group. Rocky and dry-looking from the surface, these islands feature incredible reefs and are home to an eye-popping abundance of marine life.
An Abundant Variety of Marine Life
It has been said that the Hanish Island group is home to the greatest variety of marine life to be found anywhere throughout the Red Sea. As you approach the islands, many of which are brown and somewhat dreary-looking, you might wonder if this is true. But spend just a few minutes beneath the surface, and you will hardly be able to believe your eyes. While corals are threatened in many areas, the opposite is true here; you’ll find that the corals that make up the reefs surrounding sites like Maha’s Island, Hanish Sughira, and High Island are both healthy and vibrant. Sponges and anemones wrestle for space along these reefs, and colorful little fish in vibrant shades of green, yellow, blue, and red can be seen feeding among the rocks. Moray eels, brightly colored lobsters, shrimps, and crabs peer out from sheltered cracks, and curious octopus watch warily as divers pass.
Larger marine life is abundant throughout the Hanish Islands. At sites like Ship Rock, Three Foot Rock, Pin Rock, and Maha’s Reef, you’ll have the opportunity to fly along with elegant manta rays. In addition, it is not uncommon to encounter reef sharks lounging in the shade of rock formations at these sites, and it’s also quite common to find yourself face to face with giant groupers. Fleets of sleek barracudas hunt around the rocky reefs, and massive schools of red snappers and other fish can be seen at these sites as well. If you enjoy viewing pelagics, you’ll be thrilled at what you find in this area; watch for huge jacks and fast-moving tuna, particularly around Adder Ali Island.
Given the number of fish that thrive in the Hanish Islands, it’s not at all surprising that the dolphin population here is quite healthy. While divers do sometimes encounter dolphins while underwater, it’s much more common to see these graceful marine mammals from the deck of your liveaboard. As an added bonus, whale sharks can be seen in this vicinity, usually during March.
As liveaboard dive trips to the Hanish Islands are few, it’s not surprising that this is a journey you’ll need to plan for well in advance. As the liveaboards moor in shallow lagoons quite often, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and swimming in clear turquoise water. If rest, relaxation, and some truly amazing diving are requirements for your next vacation, consider traveling to the Hanish Islands. While there are some associated challenges, the rewards are well worth the effort.