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Travel Guide To: Farasan Islands A Unexpected Beach Destination In Saudi Arabia.

Just off the coast of the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea is the Farasan Islands an archipelago with 84 corral island, with only three of the islands being permanently inhabited.

Farasan Island might be the world´s most unexpected beach destination.

farasan island, saudi arabia, red sea

One of the remote islands in the Farasan archipelago, only possible to visit by a small boat.

Only about 40km offshore from the city of Jizan in Asir region on mainland Saudi Arabia is a place you would never have expected to be in Saudi Arabia, but with the Kingdom´s recently opening up for tourism are now the hidden gems around Saudi Arabia also getting known to the outside world. Asir region is also home to the historic village of Rijal Almaa.

One of the natural wonders in Saudi Arabia is the Al Wahbah Crater.

The Farasan archipelago is a place the will question your knowledge about the largest country in the Middle East.

Looking for what´s the top 16 places you should visit in Saudi Arabia?

farasan island,saudi arabia,red sea

A small speed boat, the only way to get to the small islands in the archipelago.

farasan island beach saudi arabia

A beautiful beach, the local government recently built small huts for tourists here.

farasan island

My friend is swimming in the pristine water.

farasan sauti arabia

The archipelago is almost entirely flat.

The archipelago was declared “Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary” in 1996 and covers approximately an area of 3,310 km2 and includes

Eighty-four islands and 18 shoals, full of pristine beaches, crystal clear water and even mangrove forest.

The marine sanctuary was created to protect the rich birdlife that´s on the small islands here and for the incredible sea life that´s around Farasan.

The marine sanctuary is home to 231 different species of fish and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, dugongs, lobsters, Manta rays, three spices of dolphins, and during the months of April & May do Whale Sharks com by.
The Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary is also home to at least 49 times of corals.

farasan beach saudi arabia

The main beach on the largest island, government-employed cleaning the beach. But he missed a large blue pice.

There are currently no dive centres at Farasan Island, and you will have to carry your own snorkelling gear here, something I did, but unfortunately, did not the local boatmen know of any good snorkelling spots, they did take me to a spot they recommended but to be honest, it was pretty bad.

The waters around the Farasan archipelago are completely unexplored. Bring your own snorkel gear, and you might be the first person ever to explore some of the reefs. You just have to find them.

farasan

Snorkelling around Farasan island.

The corals were healthy and with no bleaching, which is, of course, fantastic, but there was almost no fish.

farasan island

Looks like in Spain, but it´s Saudi Arabia.

beach bar saudi arabia

There´s even a beach bar, but there´s no alcohol in Saudi Arabia.

farasan saudi arabia boat

The small harbour, this is where you have to charter a boat to go anywhere else than the main island.

And with only three of the islands in the archipelago being permanently inhabited, so should there be no surprise that the desolated islands are home to a variety of birds like the White-Eyed Gull, Saunders Little Tern, Crab Plover, Flamingos, Osprey, Sooty Falcon, Pink-Backed Pelican, Red-billed Tropic Bird.

On land is the “star” of the archipelago a Gazelle that´s even named after the Farasan archipelago, the Farasan Gazelle which only live on the biggest island, but is unfortunately on the brink of extinction due to uncontrolled hunting of these animals.
And there´s now believed to be less than 700 Farasan Gazelle remaining.

If you are not so much into beach life and wildlife so do, the Farasan Island also has its fair share of history.

Farasan island was known as Portus Ferresanus in the 1st century AD, and a Latin inscription dating back to 144AD has been found the largest island in the Archipelago, which attests to the assembly of a Roman garrison here.
It´s also believed that the archipelago was used as a maritime way between the ancient African kingdom of Aksum and Arabian kingdoms of Sheeba and Himyar.

One of the main sites are sandstone village of Al Qassar; the village is believed to be the oldest inhabited sites on the islands. The village is said to be dating back to the time of the Romans, but these days the village is completely rebuilt to show tourists how people used to live on the islands. No locals are living in the village these days.

Al Qassar Village faran saudi arabia

Al Qassar Village.

Al Qassar Village

Al Qassar Village.

Later the Ottomans constructed a small fort on the main island here in the 18th century, the fort still stands, but it´s closed for the public these days.

Farasan ottoman fort

The old Ottoman fort on the island.

Beit Al Refai house particularly spectacular house on the main island dating back to 1922. The house was owned by one of the wealthiest persons on the island, Beit Al Refai was a well-known pearl merchant, and his house is considered to be the archetype of Farasani architecture.
The house is built with coral stones and plastered with gypsum, and the windows are beautifully engraved ornaments. The house is like no other house in Saudi Arabia, but time has not been gentle with this beautiful house and its now in desperately in need of repair and protection.

Beit Al Refai house

The gate to Beit Al Refai house.

The gate to Beit Al Refai house

Inside Beit Al Refai house.

Beit Al Refai house

Beit Al Refai house.

Beit Al Refai house

Some of the more strange decoration on the walls, two guns.

How To Get To Farasan Island.

The only way to get to the Farasan Islands is by the FREE public ferry from Jizan departing twice a day.
The ferry leaves Jizan at 7 AM and 15.30. But you should be at the terminal around 6 AM (14.30) registration and security check, the security check is similar to the ones at airports.

They will also check your passport and compare it to the name on your ticket. They are strict.
The ferry leaves the Farasan island back to Jizan at the same time.

There are two ferries a day in each direction, and they leave each port at the same time. The ferry also takes cars for free, but you will have to be at the port a minimum 2 hours before departure to be sure to be granted space.

The journey between Jizan and Farasan takes approximately one hour.

farasan ferry

The ferry between Farasan and Jizan. It´s FREE!

Farasan ferry

Inside the ferry from Jizan to Farasan.

As a foreigner are you supposed to be at the port the day before to get your ticket. Bring your passport; you will need it for registration.

Where To Stay At The Farasan Island.

There is currently on four hotels on the entire Farasan Archipelago. And none of them seems to be offering online booking from the west. But more hotels are under development.

Farasan Park Hotel, the best hotel on the island, has a pristine private beach.
Farasan hotel, budget option, pretty basic. But the friendly staff speaks decent English.
Tansim Palace Hotel Suite.
Hotel Saso Suites.

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farasan , saudi arabia, red sea, beach

Travel Guide To the Farasan Island in Saudi Arabia. Maybe the world´s most unexpected beach destination

shaban

Tuesday 19th of January 2021

Hi All,

A nice article with lots of info, i just wish to address some of the queries in the comments section. Furasan Island: Tickets can be got from: MACNA ofc: https://goo.gl/maps/LJZoCwN4v6k4DVRS6

or online: https://sso.mot.gov.sa/account/lg.aspx

Traveling on Thursday to Sunday is busy. You can take your car to island but have to pre-book atleast 10days. Or u can get a ticket same day on waiting and can go incase someone doesn’t show up. There is also rental car on the island.

Staying: Plenty of places to stay on island. Don’t complain if its not fancy.. u left ur comfort for an adventure so enjoy it, just take a mosquito repellent with u ;)

Wadi Lajab: You don’t actually need a 4x4 , if u hv a high car and good driving skills, but 4x4 is recommended. Several ppl posted videos on youtube with the route so you get an idea. Once u enter and see where everyone has parked, there are two paths into the valley. The one on the left is not recommended for kids, as there is a rope bridge, The one one the right kids will enjoy as it has a 30min track over rocks and water, until there is a big jump over a rock, so they can have a walk till there. Both places are extremely safe for families and foreigners.

Naeem Azizi

Monday 7th of December 2020

Hello Guys is ther way to take ticket on same day or need to come ticket office one day before untill what time office is oppend friday Ferry for tourism working ? please just guide me where is ticket collect office need location and what difficult he face as written filipe

Julz

Wednesday 2nd of September 2020

Do you have contact info for any of the hotels? I am in Saudi but can't even find working numbers to try to book something.

Thanks!

Brooke

Monday 20th of July 2020

Is the weather oppressive this time of the year? Should we wait until Fall? Planning to be in Asir during EID--possibly adding Farasan to the trip.

Pierre Kacha

Monday 29th of June 2020

Hello I am considering going to Farasan Island during the Eid al Adha (2020) holiday. Can you pls advise me on who to contact to get things organized? Is camping possible on one of the islands? Thanks Pierre