Farasan Island Beach

Farasan Island Beach is located on the largest island of the Farasan Archipelago, which consists of approximately two hundred islands. It lies about sixty km west of Jazan City, the administrative capital of Jazan Province, southwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The largest island in the archipelago is Farasan al-Kubra, covering an area of about 380 km². The second largest is Sajid, also known as Farasan al-Sughra (as-Saqid), spanning around 150 km². Another island is Qummah, located southwest of Farasan al-Kubra, separated by a water channel.

Every April, the Hareed Festival, also known as the 'Parrotfish' Festival, is celebrated at Farasan Beach. During its migration season, the locals await the event when the fish cross the shallow waterway at al-Hassiss Beach. Fishermen block the path of the fish with nets, dragging them toward a nearby shore, while the locals and festival participants wait to collect as many Hareed fish as they can.

Following the annual Hareed Festival, pearl diving expeditions depart from Farasan Beach, specifically in May each year, reviving another cultural heritage that once served as a significant source of income for the archipelago’s inhabitants.

Farasan Beach attracts divers and snorkeling enthusiasts eager to explore its colorful coral reefs and marine life. The waters host more than 230 fish species, along with endangered marine creatures such as green turtles, hawksbill turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and some whale and shark species.

Beyond diving, many visitors prefer camping at Abrah Beach, located southwest of Farasan Island, or swimming at Ras al-Qarn Beach, known for its cleanliness and turquoise waters, enhanced by its aquatic plants. Activities like sunbathing, snorkeling, kite surfing, kayaking, and safari trips are also popular.

Tourists are drawn to notable landmarks near Farasan Beach, including the Qandal Forest, mangrove forests, and groves of acacia, Myroxylon, Ziziphus spina-christi, and Salvadora persica trees. The area also features the Farasan Gazelle Reserve, home to a significant population of Arabian gazelles, known locally as Farasan gazelles, as well as al-Dana and al-Hassiss parks.

The Farasan Archipelago covers a total area of 710 km², with the ten largest islands spanning approximately 660 km². Some of these islands extend up to seventy km in length, with widths ranging between twenty and forty km. This geographic expanse has resulted in abundant beaches in Farasan, known for their rich fishing grounds and historic pearl diving sites. Farasan Islands are distinguished by their proximity to the international maritime passage of Bab al-Mandab and their wealth of natural, touristic, and archaeological resources. The islands are home to approximately fifty types of coral and boast the highest coral density in the southern part of the Red Sea.