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Your Guide to Diving in Djibouti
Whale Sharks at the Horn of Africa
- Page contents:
- Dive sites
- Your options
- Diving season
- Where is it?
- Reef summary
- Useful references
...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 travellers 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 best known 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 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.
Dive Site Descriptions
Seven Brothers Islands
Distinct from Egypt's own Brothers Islands, the volcanic Seven Brothers Islands (Sawabi Islands) lie in the Bab el Mandab Strait, at the southern end of the Red Sea. The area features remarkable deep diving spots, along with vibrant coral gardens and coral-covered walls. The tidal shifts that occur twice daily create strong currents and reduced visibility, but they also deliver vast amounts of water across the reefs and rocky plateaus, fostering rich marine life.
Among the key dive sites is Rhounda Khomaytou, famous for its deep drop-offs teeming with colourful reef fish, schools of jacks and barracuda, and pelagic visitors such as whale sharks. Another notable site is the Evangelista wreck. The Evangelista Torricelli was a 120m long Royal Italian Navy submarine that was used in World War 2 and sunk in 1940. It sits upright on the ocean floor at a depth of 25 metres, resembling a reef as it is surrounded by schools of fish and white gorgonians. Other notable sites include Japanese Gardens, known for its diverse macro life, including nudibranchs.
Moucha Island
Located in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Moucha is a premiere dive location in Djibouti, offering vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and clear waters suitable for all levels of diver. The island’s underwater landscape features coral-covered slopes, sandy patches, and several walls, at various depths for both beginners and advanced divers. The coral reefs are home to a variety of species, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, and larger marine animals like rays and reef sharks.
Notable dive sites around Moucha Island include The Aquarium, known for its calm waters and colorful fish, Dolphin Reef, where divers might swim alongside dolphins, and Coral Gardens, a shallow site perfect for observing intricate coral formations and small marine species. With visibility ranging from 15 to 30 meters, the island offers excellent conditions for underwater photography. The gentle currents provide an ideal environment for relaxed dives, although a few spots are great for drift diving too.
Ghoubbet al-Kharab
A must-see on any Djibouti diving trip, Ghoubbet al Kharab (meaning ‘The devil’s throat’ is a favourite spot for both scuba divers and snorkellers. Nestled in a shallow bay surrounded by towering cliffs and mountains, this location is best known for its incredible underwater ecosystem. From November to January, juvenile whale sharks gather to feed on the area’s seasonal plankton blooms, often joined by graceful manta rays. Additionally, divers can explore the The Crack, a submerged rift between 2 tectonic plates, offering a unique underwater experience.
The Canyon
Situated in the Gulf of Tadjoura, The Canyon is renowned for its striking underwater walls, caverns, and superb drift diving opportunities. Divers here can observe large fish species, including barracudas, jacks, and groupers, amid vibrant soft coral formations.
The Dome
Offering a unique diving experience, The Dome showcases volcanic underwater structures, providing an insight into the region's geological history. Divers can explore these volcanic rock formations and caverns while encountering a diverse range of reef species.
Ras Corali
This dive site features steep walls and coral-covered slopes with exceptionally clear waters, making it ideal for spotting larger marine creatures such as sharks and rays. The strong currents that are present make Ras Corali an excellent location for drift diving, particularly suited for experienced divers.
The Faon Wreck
The 135m long sunken cargo ship Le Faon, also known as MV Priamos, has become an artificial reef and is a popular site for wreck divers of varying experience levels. Located near Moucha Island, at 10-30 meters deep, the wreck has been enveloped by corals and sponges, providing a niche habitat for fish, invertebrates, and macro creatures like nudibranchs and shrimps. It attracts a diverse array of marine life such as snappers, lionfish, and moray eels.
How to Dive Djibouti
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.
The Diving Season
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
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Where is Djibouti and How Do I Get There?
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.
Reef Summary
Depth: 16 -100 ft (5 - 30m)
Visibility: 35 - 85 ft (10 - 25m)
Currents: Gentle to strong
Surface conditions: Generally calm, big swells in summer
Water temperature: 80 - 86°F (26 - 30°C)
Experience level: Beginners to advanced
Number of dive sites: ~30
Recommended length of stay: 7 days
Useful References
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