Saudi Arabia’s undersea treasures a magnet for scuba divers

Expert divers believe that Saudi Arabia is a unique diving destination but the sensitive fabric of marine life and ocean should be protected. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 04 September 2022
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s undersea treasures a magnet for scuba divers

  • ‘There’s a bright future for tourism of all kinds in the Kingdom, but that must come with an advocacy to care for the ocean’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia may be famous for its infinitely flowing sand dunes and jagged mountain ranges, but it is also host to a lesser-known and altogether different environment — one that is cool, silent, kaleidoscopic and teeming with animal and plant life.

This is the underwater world of the Kingdom’s coastal zone, which is rapidly emerging as a global scuba diving destination, with a concurrent surge in the number of Saudi divers.

But for all its wonder and beauty, diving without proper training can be dangerous and even fatal.




All the gear, including bodysuit, oxygen tank, breathing regulator, mask and fins, can set you back over SR4,000, but it is all available for hire at any of the numerous dive centers that have popped up in recent years.

PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a global organization based in California, provides training and certification, and has been active in the Kingdom for decades.

Raul Ausemestre, a Riyadh-based PADI master instructor with 20 years’ diving experience, explains the certification process.

“The first part is the knowledge review, which is the theory aspect,” he told Arab News. “It’s composed of nine chapters with a test at the end, which is either manual or online.

SPEEDREAD

• The total cost of training and certification is between SR2,000 and SR3,000.

• The Kingdom’s scuba diving scene has been transformed by recent social reforms enabling Saudi women to dive without restrictions.

“Then you are qualified to progress to the confined water training in a swimming pool, where you learn a total of 24 skills, including how to assemble your dive gear, familiarization with the breathing regulator, gear removal and so on.

“Once you’ve completed the confined water training, then you go to the actual open water training and testing, either in Jeddah on the west coast or Alkhobar in the Eastern Province. This consists of four dives over two days, again practicing those 24 skills, at less than 60 feet of depth.

“There’s a formula as to how many minutes you can stay at a certain depth, and you have to follow the limit to avoid decompression sickness (also called the bends). If you go too deep and come up too fast, there is a danger of air bubbles forming in your blood or even in your brain, which is potentially deadly. These days the calculations are automated on a dive computer, which you wear on your wrist like a watch.”  

The total cost of training and certification is between SR2,000 and SR3,000 ($500-$750).

All the gear, including bodysuit, oxygen tank, breathing regulator, mask and fins, can set you back over SR4,000, but it is all available for hire at any of the numerous dive centers that have popped up in recent years.

The Kingdom’s scuba diving scene has been transformed by recent social reforms enabling Saudi women to dive without restrictions. This has been a boon for Noura, who declines to give her surname.

“I have been fascinated by scuba diving since childhood because several of my family members were qualified divers,” Noura told Arab News. “Plus I’ve always enjoyed swimming and snorkeling, so diving was the natural progression.

“I got my diving certification in 2016, but until a couple of years ago I couldn’t go out on a boat without a male companion — brother or father or husband — so I was restricted to diving from land. That was quite frustrating for me as I wanted to go and see some of the wrecks and coral reefs further off the coast. Now I’m free to do all that.

“My most amazing experience as a diver was in Jeddah. I went diving with a buddy and there was nobody else in the water. It was octopus mating season, and this was the first time I had ever seen any octopus in its natural habitat. There were two of them doing a dance and changing colors. It was a mesmerizing showcase of what they could do with their bodies, and a unique moment we were witnessing.”

Saudi Arabia so far has been spared the mass tourism that has scarred the coastlines of Egypt and most Mediterranean countries, and its coastal waters remain clear, with many pristine marine environments.

Reefs in the vicinity of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, and around the Farasan islands further south, are especially spectacular, with multicolored coral and an abundance of marine species, including sharks that are for the most part benign, scorpion fish, manta rays and even the occasional whale.

Diving in the Kingdom serves a more serious purpose as well. A team of marine archaeologists is now excavating an 18th-century Red Sea shipwreck of Egyptian origin with a hoard of about 2,000 ceramic tableware objects, while Ausemestre has led a group of geologists on a survey of the underwater landscape, and the life it contains, near Saudi Arabia’s border with Jordan.

But this spike in undersea human activity brings with it a risk of damage to the sensitive fabric of marine life, threatening the very qualities that make Saudi Arabia unique as a diving destination.

Medylene Ocampo — who did not even know how to swim when she came to the Kingdom from her native Philippines and went on to become a dive coordinator with Riyadh-based RDA Divenet (a PADI-qualified training organization) — cautions that the expected explosion in tourism in Saudi Arabia could imperil its marine ecosystems.

“Just touching or stepping on a coral growth could potentially destroy it and a lot of novice divers don’t understand that,” Ocampo told Arab News. “There’s a bright future for tourism of all kinds in the Kingdom, but that must come with an advocacy to care for the ocean.”

“It’s great to see the growth in interest in diving,” said Noura, “but I also want to see more protection of the marine environment.”

She described the growth in the number of people interested in the sport as “a beautiful thing” that is also helping in terms of caring for the underwater world.

“Scuba divers are invested in that world,” she said.

 


Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season

Updated 23 November 2024
Follow

Busy bees: Asir’s local markets abuzz over Sidr honey season

  • Unique taste, aroma make it popular locally, internationally

RIYADH: The Asir region is currently in the midst of the Sidr honey season, with local markets flooded with high-quality honey produced from the nectar of Sidr trees.

The recent heavy rainfall in the region has led to a prolific flowering of Sidr trees, providing ideal conditions for bees to produce abundant and flavorful honey, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sidr honey, which is renowned for its health benefits, is particularly prized for its antioxidant properties and ability to strengthen the immune system.

The unique taste and aroma of the honey have made it a sought-after commodity, both locally and internationally, the SPA reported.

Beekeepers in Tihama Asir have been busy harvesting the golden nectar, with prices ranging from SR350 to SR500 ($93-133) per kg.

The region’s diverse ecosystem, characterized by its fertile valleys and abundant flora, provides an optimal environment for beekeeping.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is actively supporting the development of the beekeeping industry. Initiatives such as the beekeeping and honey production development initiative improve practices, protect bee populations, and enhance the quality of honey.

By promoting sustainable beekeeping and preserving the natural habitats of bees, the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its position as a leading producer of high-quality honey while contributing to the global market.


Saudi Reef Forum to focus on rural sustainability

Updated 23 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Reef Forum to focus on rural sustainability

  • Al-Ahsa event to promote communities’ role in economic growth

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will host the 1st International Forum for Saudi Reef in Al-Ahsa from Dec. 16-18, aiming to strengthen rural communities, and promote their role in driving sustainable development.

Maha Aldhahi, head of the forum’s executive committee, said: “The forum is pivotal in advancing rural development, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030. It will support rural communities, while contributing to global efforts and research on sustainable agriculture.”

Aldhahi said that the forum will unite regional and international experts to address the challenge of rural-to-urban migration, a widespread issue. To counter this, the forum will propose practical solutions to ensure rural areas remain economically viable, vibrant, and sustainable.

Additionally, it will explore innovations in agriculture and rural development, fostering economic growth and social cohesion through job creation and investment promotion, she added.

Aldhahi said that the forum builds on the Saudi Reef Program, recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as the world’s largest development initiative of its kind.

The program has supported over 77,000 agricultural projects, achieved a self-sufficiency rate exceeding 65 percent in vital sectors, and provided upskilling and career opportunities for rural communities.

Ghassan Bakri, secretary-general of the Saudi Reef Program, said: “The program is a model of sustainable growth, addressing food security and job creation while preserving cultural heritage. By hosting this forum, we aim to attract global partnerships and exchange cutting-edge solutions for rural empowerment.”

Bakri added that the forum will feature dynamic discussions on key topics, including sustainable agricultural practices, rural entrepreneurship, and the role of modern technology in agriculture.

The three-day event will also include an exhibition showcasing unique rural practices, handicrafts, and the work of local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. It will highlight how traditional techniques integrate with modern innovations to create sustainable livelihoods.


Kingdom arrests 19,696 illegals in one week

Updated 23 November 2024
Follow

Kingdom arrests 19,696 illegals in one week

  • A total of 11,336 people were arrested for violations of residency laws

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 19,696 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

According to an official report, a total of 11,336 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,176 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,184 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 1,547 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 65 percent were Ethiopian, 32 percent Yemeni, and 3 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 71 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Gaza victims praise Saudi Arabia’s lifesaving humanitarian efforts

Updated 23 November 2024
Follow

Gaza victims praise Saudi Arabia’s lifesaving humanitarian efforts

Riyadh: Palestinians in Gaza who received Saudi aid have expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its humanitarian support through aid agency KSrelief.

They likened the Saudi assistance to rain that quenches their thirst for hope, alleviates suffering and rekindles optimism amid immense challenges, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Samaher Eid Awkal, 47, said she struggled with health issues while living in Khan Younis with her blind mother in a basic tent. She thanked KSrelief for providing her family with a suitable tent, which has eased their hardship and restored hope.

A Gaza mother who endured freezing conditions with her children without shelter also expressed appreciation after receiving essential aid. She described the support as a source of joy and hope during difficult times.

Mahmoud Nabil Abu Alwan, displaced from Rafah to Mawasi in Khan Younis, thanked KSrelief after he received a new tent. He previously lived in a dilapidated tent borrowed from relatives amid shelling and harsh displacement conditions.


Saudi Orchestra performance in Tokyo helps ‘bridge cultural boundaries,’ CEO says

Updated 23 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Orchestra performance in Tokyo helps ‘bridge cultural boundaries,’ CEO says

TOKYO: The Saudi National Orchestra’s performance in Tokyo is “bridging cultural boundaries” as part of Vision 2030, the CEO of the Kingdom’s top music body has said.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, added that music has a “very important part to play in each of the three main pillars of Vision 2030” as it represents a proud nation, a vibrant society and diversified economy.

Bringing the Saudi National Orchestra to Tokyo has given people the opportunity “to communicate with our language and it allows everybody to come together and share an experience that allows us to appreciate each other’s cultures, and really to be in harmony,” Pacifico said.

“And that’s why I think it’s so special that the orchestra is here for the first time.”

The program for the performance last night included traditional music directed by Saudi director Reab Ahmed, as well as the Japanese Imperial Court Orchestra “Gagaku.”

Pacifico said: “We’re able to show Saudi culture on one of the most prestigious stages in one of the world’s great cultural capitals here at Tokyo Opera City, and we’re doing that with authentic Saudi music, and authentic traditional Japanese music with Gagaku.

“But also with that great fusion between the two sets of musicians coming together and doing something really unique and beautiful.

“The Saudi National Orchestra and choir is really at the vanguard of developing the music landscape in Saudi Arabia as it builds the depth and richness and uniqueness of its beautiful culture, both traditional and modern.”

Pacifico said it was “an honor” to share the stage with the Japanese Imperial Orchestra performers. “It also shows how our cultures are different and yet similar: The regard for tradition and modernity, the appreciation of music, the sense of formality in public, but warmth and a sense of fun as well in private.”

He hoped that Friday’s performance was not a one-off but the foundation of a rich and longstanding collaboration with “our Japanese friends, the Tokyo College of Music, who we’re collaborating with on this concert.

“We hope that Saudi artists will start to have opportunities to play on stages here in Tokyo, like the Blue Note and Billboard Live and the Cotton Club, or festivals like Summer Sonic or Fuji Rock. And equally, we’d love to see Japanese artists playing more in Riyadh and all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi Arabia has a very exciting story to tell.”

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan