The beauty of the Yemeni coastal areas on the Red Sea, Arab sea and around the islands is unforgettable. The richness of marine life, and the availability of the coral reefs make the whole area ideal for relaxing and diving. Attracting visitors from all over the globe who are keen on the superb diving, optional snorkeling and water skiing in the warm and clear water of the Red Sea. As well as sailing around a unique and spectacular landscape of volcanoes with multicolor lava flows it is one of the best spots of the Yemen islands to combine best sailing with spectacular climbing, interesting snorkeling, swimming and unexplored emotional diving.

With their own distinctive climatic, environmental, geographical and natural characteristics, these islands are scattered in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Most of them are situated in the Red Sea parallel to the coastal land. Kamaran is considered the major island with the highest population. It is located close to the strait of Bab al-Mandab, thus it is of strategic importance. Kamaran has few land animals. Mayoon (Perim) Island, is also located in the strait of Bab al-Mandab, and has strategic importance. The islands in the Arabian Sea are situated more closely. Socotra is the biggest; it is famous for its unique trees which are significant for their medical and economic values. A number of other small islands are found close to Socotra, among them is Abdul-Kori island, and al-Akhaween (Samha And Darsa) Island are considered the major ones.

In order of importance, these are as follows:

1 - Kamaran:

Correctly named as such, this is the biggest Yemeni island in the archipelago stretched within the Red Sea. It is extending eleven miles long and 4.5 wide with the adjacent province of Al-Saleif Port of Al-Hodeidah. It was first mentioned in the history of world ports in 525 A.D. When one king of ancient "Exxom" of Ethiopia attacked the Yemeni Coasts of the Red Sea.

Then, other non-Yemeni rulers kept control of the island because of its strategic importance. These include "Loran shah" in the year 1228, the Portuguese invaders for two months in 1531, Al-Mamaleek of Egypt in 1515, the Egyptian-Turks under the rule of Mohammed Ali Basha and his successors from 1819 to 1840, the Ottoman turks from 1849 to 1915, and finally the British Colonists from 1850 to 1967. As from Aden's independence, the sovereignty of the island returned to its inhabitants.

Towards the western direction of  Issa Harbour of Al-Hodeidah province, and within the territory of Al-Saleef's Semi-island, lie "Al-Reesha", "Ras mugamala", and "Zeyadi" Islands. The last has its furthest limit reaching the land-area of Mokka Port. As from the northern direction of Zoqar Island, a group of islands are also found. These had originally been named in English forms of terminology e.g. the "high island", the "close-by island", the "shark island", the "extending tongue island", and the "low-bed island".

2 - Al-Zubair group of islands:

It is situated about 27 marine knots away from the province Al-Hodeidah. The height of its biggest island is 224 meters from the surface level. On it a light-house is fixed for the guidance of the ships. Towards the north-western direction of "Al-Zubair" lie the islands "Hayousbook", "Doudge", "Ta Beli Peak", "The Lowlanded", and "Sheba". To the south-western corner, the "Center Peak" island is there with two light-houses fixed on its top level.

3 - Abu Ali and Al-Thair islands:

They are the important two groups of islands located at the navigation route of Bab-Al-Mandab. The first known as Abu Ali and Abu Thair have volcanic topography. As for the second, they are named in the marine maps "Queen Elizabeth" or the "Angle" group of islands. Britain has built two light-houses on these islands since the end of 1962 as it had administered them, on behalf of some coastal region, till 1989 when sovereignty returned to Yemen.

4 - Zaqar and Hunish islands:

The area of "Zaqar" is 130 sq km and its level from the north elevates to 124 feet, while from the southern direction it is 827 feet above sea level. From this group, we also have the "Small Hunaish" with a height of 627 feet above sea level, followed by "Heikok" group of islands, "Al-Qum", "Mushaigara", and the "low-bed" towards the east with a light-house on its top-level. These are followed by "Big Hunaish" which is the biggest of all the groups of islands. Its height is at 1335 feet of sea-level, while its width is about 100 feet. In north-eastern direction the three islands "Al-Mashagera", "Dar-Eil" and "Haysouk" are located, while east of the Big Hunish Islands there are two viz, "Queen " and the "Round-Shape". In southern direction, there are many other islands extending to the extreme south. These mainly include "Duwaili Peak", "Center-Peak", "Hunaish suyoul", "The Rock-islands", and the three islands of "Haysoun".

5 - Mayoun:

Within the extreme limits of the Red Sea, there are also several islands, among which Mayoun is the most important. It divides the strait of Bab-Al-Mandab into two passages - one small and the other wide enough for international navigation. Mayoun's astronomical location is on the bisection of longitude 43,3 degrees of the Eqyator, and 13,39 degrees of the north. It covers an area of 13 sq km, and has a rocky surface that is completely volcanic. The weather is quite dry and hot. To the south of the island, the highest elevation of its hilly rocks reaches 65 meters above sea-level, while its northern part is full of sands. Within the whole island, the highest peak elevates at about 245 feet above sea-level.

Mayoun was mentioned by many foreign authors and travelers such as the Greek Seaman who wrote a book entitled "Touring Around the Eriterian Sea". Some Europeans also colonialized Mayoun for short periods. These were the Portuguese in 1511, and the British in the years 1799 and 1857. The last colonization lasted till 27/7/1967 when Britain issued a declaration of independence for Aden Colony and Haraz, Mayoun and Korea Mouria Islands. The ex-ruler of southern Yemen seized the control of the first two islands only as from 30/11/1967.

We offer you Diving Tours  

A fabulous mix of coral, wreck & night diving

There are plenty of coral reefs and diving trips to the Zubair and Hunaish groups of islands and surrounding islands are especially popular.

Alternatives: ( A )

Jabal abo ali Island: High island •Abu ali island •Shark island •Tonque island north hunaish sughra •Maha's island •Haycook island •AdDar ail island peaky island  

•Hunaish al-Kubra cliff south-West rock •Maha's reef •Cust rock •Pin rock •Hunaish suyul •Ship rock •Three foot rock.  

Jabal abo ali Island Group offers surely the most interesting variety of diving sites in the southern Red Sea.

The Hotel and Diving Center, Al-Khukha village  

Designed in a hybrid French Yemeni model, each individual chalet is equipped with an air condition system and private wash-rooms. The village contains 10 chalets in all, 8 of which are equipped with 2 double rooms, while 2 serve as triple room accommodation. We are especially proud of our top-rated, on-site restaurant which specializes in Eastern and Yemeni seafood and serves a capacity of 80 people. For the entertainment of our guests, the village also has a large circular diving ,..where they can unwind and relax by watching the satellite television, or play many board games that are available.

The diving center is fully furnished with the most neoteric and modern equipment available, including two air compressors, on-site certified diving instructors and complete scuba gear for up to a party of 15 thrill – -seekers. Due to greater than expected demand, diving reservations must be made at least one month in advance.

7 Days program, diving in the Red Sea - Jabal abo Ali Island:

1 Day: Arrival at Sana'a airport and transport to the hotel.

2 Day: Travelling form Sana'a to Tihama (Khokha in the Red Sea).

3 Day: diving

4 Day: diving

5 Day: diving

6 Day: diving

7 Day: return to Sana'a and at night transfer to the aiport .

Price: This program costs for each person 1,000 US$ (minimum group 8 persons).

Service:

• Full board  accommodation.  
• Two dives (each dive will last for approx. 45 - 50 mins.).
• Transport from Al-Khukha to Jabal abo ali Island (duration of voyage is about 2 1/2 hours each way).
• Two compressed air cylinders.
• Lead belt.
• Diving authorizations and tax.
• Land-cruiser car with driver.
• Transportation to and from the airport.
• An additional diving day will cost 190 US$ per person.
•  An additional tour day in the southern regions will cost 80 US$ for each person.
• An additional tour day for four persons in the northern regions will cost 60 US$.
• Those persons asking for the additional services will get an accommodation at a 3-star hotel with breakfast .
• Entrance fees for museums ... etc.

Alternative: (B) Hunish Islands:

All our diving activities are made in the Red Sea Hunaish located between 14 5 n and 42 49 E. Greater hunaish island is approximately 48 k from Al-Khukha village where our base "le village moka marine" is situated. The island is covered by large numbers of small sea bushes, some trees are visible. The island is surrounded mostly by water with depths of 40 m or can be reached easily near the island but for safety reasons our maximum diving depth is restricted to 25 m. The marine life forms such as coral reef, fish, sharks, rats, turtles are typical of the Red Sea but fish are present in large numbers and sizes.

The reef offers diving well preserved and in good condition but with less color than the reefs in the north parts of the Red Sea. Clear waters surround the island but visibility can be reduced by strong wave action. Our hotel and diving center "le village moka marine" is designed in a hybrid French Yemeni model. Every individual chalet is equipped with an air condition system and private wash-rooms.

Diving package 5 days – 4 nights

"Hunaish archipelago"

Day 1: Arrival in the afternoon at the village "moka marine", dinner, stay overnight in Al-Khukha.

Day 2/3: Departure to Hunaish Island, camping on the island. Full board accommodation - 4 dives.

Day 04: One dive in the morning, back to the village "moka marine", lunch and dinner in the village.

Day 05 : Breakfast, departure from the village.

Our price includes 2 nights in Al-Khukha (moka marine), full board accommodation, transfer to Hunaish Island and back , 5 dives, 12 or 15 liter steel tank and weight belt, mineral water.

Nb: You will need sleeping bag for each participant. Prices do not include any insurance coverage. Optional night dive per passenger will cost 30 US$ for each dive.

Day 1: Arrival at Sana'a, airport assistance and transfer to hotel of your choice.

Day 2: Full day visit of Sana’a and shopping at the market. Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice.

Day 3: Hodeidah & Katharina M Departure form Sana'a & drive to Hodeidah, via Manakha, Hajjarah, lunch in Hajjarah then drive to Salif & check in followed by boat inspection & crew introduction – dinner & overnight Katharina M.

Day 4: Full day cruising & diving in the Red Sea

Day 5: Full day cruising & diving in the Red Sea

Day 6: Full day cruising & diving in the Red Sea

Day 7: Full day cruising & diving in the Red Sea

Day 8: Full day cruising & diving in the Red Sea

Day 9: Breakfast, disembarkment & departure from Salif for Taiz via Zabid.

Day 10: Taiz -Jiblah -Sana'a

Day 11: Wadi Dhar, Thula, Hababah, Shibam & Kawkaban-Sana'a, tansfer to Sana'a airport for departure.

Service:

During diving program:

Full board accommodation in double/twin cabins, mineral water, soft drinks, tea & coffee during all meals.

Dive master & two dives per day.

During land tour:

Full board accommodation in double/twin rooms, tour program as described in itinerary, all surface transportation, entrance fees and private guide.

Important notes:

• The visits to the above mentioned diving sites depend always on the weather conditions and only the captain will be able to decide which diving sites will be visited after consultation with the guests.
• All dive sites are within two hours cruising of anchorages.
• Due to the topography of the cruising area there is no real great drop-off and wall diving. 
• Visibility can be around 15-20 meters depending on the season. 
• Cruising amongst uninhabited and isolated islands on the only boat operating in the area. No other boats, no other divers! 
• Non-divers can spend their time with water skiing, snorkeling, bird watching or enjoying the wonderful white sandy beach, exploring islands and climbing the volcanoes