Yanbu
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Yanbu

Yanbu

Red Sea port city in the Hejaz, split between petrochemical industry and reef-rich diving waters

Yanbu is a Red Sea port city in the Hejaz, about 300 kilometres north of Jeddah. Like Jubail on the Gulf coast, it has been heavily developed as an industrial and petrochemical centre since the 1970s, and the industrial city and the older historic town (Al-Balad) are separate areas separated both physically and in character.

The main reason travellers come to Yanbu is the diving. The reefs off the coast are excellent — colourful, fish-rich, and significantly less visited than those around Jeddah. Several dive centres operate in the city, running boats to specific reef sites as well as offering gear hire and instruction. The water is warm year-round and visibility is generally very good from October through May.

The Yanbu waterfront has been developed as a public promenade with sea views, and the old town preserves some Hejazi architecture that shows the city's long history as a Red Sea trading port. T.E. Lawrence used Yanbu as an operations base during the Arab Revolt in 1916, and Yanbu port was one of the most significant harbours in the Ottoman Hejaz. Visitors who are not divers will find Yanbu limited compared to Jeddah, but the reefs make it a worthwhile destination for anyone with an underwater interest.

Guide

Getting There

Yanbu is served by Yanbu Airport (YNB), which has domestic flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and other Saudi cities. Saudia (formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines) and flynas operate the main domestic routes. International visitors typically fly into Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International Airport) and connect to Yanbu by air or road.

By road, Yanbu is about 300 kilometres north of Jeddah on the coastal highway — a journey of around three hours by car. The road follows the Red Sea coast through relatively flat terrain with the Hejaz mountains visible inland. SAPTCO (Saudi Public Transport Company) operates bus services between major Saudi cities, including Yanbu, though private car or taxi is the more practical option.

Saudi Arabia's visa situation has changed significantly since 2019, when tourist visas became available to nationalities that previously required a sponsor. Visitors planning to come specifically for diving should verify current visa requirements and any dive-site access permits required by their operator before travelling.

Guide

Things to Do

Yanbu divides sharply between its industrial port operations and the older town. Most visitors are here for the diving — the reefs off Yanbu are the main draw, less visited than those around Jeddah and in noticeably better condition as a result. The Yanbu Waterfront provides an accessible seafront area with walking paths along the Red Sea. The Old Town (Al-Balad) of Yanbu preserves some traditional Hejazi architecture that the modern city has largely swept away elsewhere.

For diving, several dive centres in the city organise boat trips to specific reef sites. The water is warm year-round — around 22-26°C — and visibility is generally excellent from October through May. Sharks, rays, and large pelagic fish are more commonly encountered here than at the busier sites to the south.

Yanbu Commercial Port, one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea, has a long history connecting the Hejaz to trade routes across the Indian Ocean and East Africa. T.E. Lawrence passed through during the Arab Revolt in 1916, and the port saw action during the Ottoman campaigns of the early nineteenth century.