...Highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics...
...Diving environment: wrecks, walls, drift diving, beginner and advanced divers, off the beaten track...
Situated to the south of Sudan and Egypt, between Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is where the southern waters of the Red Sea meet the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Few scuba divers venture to this country compared to its northern neighbours and, with less development, many of the region’s reefs remain untouched, unpolluted, and largely free from the impact of mass tourism. Beneath the surface, divers can explore vibrant coral gardens, dramatic underwater drop-offs, and unique geological features, including a tectonic rift.
The waters surrounding Djibouti span thousands of square kilometres, with the Port of Djibouti serving as a key gateway to the Red Sea for centuries. This strategic location has resulted in an impressive number of shipwrecks scattered across the seafloor. While Djibouti is well-known for its world-class liveaboard diving, it also features striking volcanic islands, coral islets, and nearly 400 km of stunning coastline.
For scuba divers, the most popular region of Djibouti is the Seven Brothers archipelago, with its relatively untouched soft and hard coral reefs, amazing drop offs, and ship wrecks. Currents coming in from the Indian Ocean attract large marine animals such as pilot whales and beaked whales. You will have the opportunity to see large schools of fish, dolphins and manta rays. It’s also very common to see large schools of stingrays, grey reef and nurse sharks, barracudas, and groupers. Over 200 species of coral are found here, making it an extremely diverse ecosystem.
But Djibouti is best known to divers for its abundant whale sharks. The strong currents that flow through Ghoubbet al-Kharab and the Gulf of Tadjoura make this area a haven for these marine animals, the largest of all sharks. So many juvenile whale sharks are observed in the area that scientists suspect it could be a vital nursery for the species. The nutrient-dense, fast-moving waters also foster robust coral growth, allowing the local reefs to flourish.
The country boasts 4 marine protected areas (MPAs) that divers can explore, each covering between 35 and 447 square kilometers of ocean. The Moucha and Maskali islands was the country’s first designated MPA. Since then, more areas have been added, such as Haramous, Arta, and the Seven Brothers archipelago, which in the past, were vulnerable to poaching and unregulated commercial fishing. Djibouti's latest marine conservation program was initiated in 2013, and despite its relatively recent establishment, all protected areas have shown noticeable improvements. Today, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Mission Blue and KAI, are playing a crucial role in these efforts, collaborating with local fishermen to enhance conservation initiatives.
Our liveaboards in Djibouti offer a unique perspective on the country's underwater wonders. The primary itinerary routes are Seven Brothers or Gulf of Tadjoura, and cruises are usually 1 week long. Several of the operators include an option of a land excursion at the end of cruise to enjoy Lake Assal, one of Djibouti’s key tourist attractions.
Although it’s possible to encounter whale sharks while diving, the best chance to see them is during surface feeding. These gentle giants, often accompanied by manta rays, swim slowly with their mouths wide open, filtering large volumes of water to consume plankton.
Before any whale shark snorkelling experience, guests receive a detailed briefing on safety and environmental protocols. To protect the animals, snorkelers must quietly enter the water, maintain a distance of 3-4 meters, and engage passively with the sharks. Physical contact and flash photography are strictly forbidden. A maximum of 8 snorkelers are allowed in the water at one time.
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Scuba diving liveaboard safaris in Djibouti are most popular from November to January, aligning with the region's whale shark season. During these months, the waters are rich in plankton, attracting whale sharks and also manta rays. Sea temperatures during this period hover between 26-28°C (80-82°F), making it comfortable for most divers to wear 3 or 5 mm wetsuits. Though the increased plankton reduces underwater visibility to around 15m (50 ft), the opportunity to encounter these large marine creatures makes it a worthwhile compromise.
The water temperature rises to 30°C (86°F) by April, pushing much of the marine life into deeper waters. A 3 mm wetsuit is usually sufficient at this time. Outside of these months, water temperatures range from 26-30°C (80-86°F). Note however that from mid-July until early September, strong Khamsin winds blow, closing all dive operations.
Djibouti experiences a predominantly hot and dry desert climate, with over 340 sunny days each year. April marks the peak of the monsoon season, with approximately 18 mm of rainfall, mainly in the form of brief, sporadic afternoon showers. Throughout the year, daytime temperatures remain intense, with typical afternoon highs reaching around 34°C, often surpassing 40°C. During the winter months of the whale sharks season, temperatures are slightly lower at around 30°C. Visit the climatestotravel.com for more details on the climate of Djibouti.
Review our map below showing Djibouti's location in the world.
Djibouti is located close to the Horn of Africa, in the Gulf of Aden and at the entrance to the Red Sea. All liveaboard trips use the harbour in Djibouti City. Once you arrive at Djibouti International Airport (code JIB), a boat representative will greet you outside the arrivals hall. Major airlines that fly to Djibouti include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Djibouti, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai, and Kenya Airways.
Most visitors must purchase a 90 day short-stay visa online. You can apply for the visa and check all the latest entry requirements at Djibouti e-visa website.
16 -100 ft (5 - 30m)
35 - 85 ft (10 - 25m)
Gentle to strong
Generally calm, big swells in summer
80 - 86°F (26 - 30°C)
Beginners to advanced
~30
7 days
Excellent service, quite quick responses and recommendations. Organisation was perfect. Everything worked in the best way. Nothing to improve :)
