FARASAN ISLAND, JAZAN, SAUDI ARABIA - Island Paradise

The wild ducks flying around; a way of interacting with the island visitors

Island Paradise - Farasan Island, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia, is a tropical island in the Red Sea. Its tropical climate enhances its pristine blue waters, unique rock formations, wildlife, and stunning views.

Farasan Island is a group of islands in the Red Sea west of Jazan City. It is a hub for island adventures, a breeding ground for wild docks and other migratory birds, and a breeding area for crabs inside its protected mangrove forest.

Thousands of tourists flock to the area every week to experience the immersion of living on an island and do overnight camping in a secluded place where only the sea waves, wild birds chirp, and the squeaks of the wild ducks as they play around. Visitors should not miss visiting some islands:

Abu Suraya islands

It is a breeding ground for the wild ducks that thrive in this part of the Red Sea, so the chances and probability of seeing wild duck eggs on the sand are high. Island visitors should take extra precautions when walking on the sand because the eggs' color resembles the sand's color. Without minding carefully, you might step them unintentionally.

Visitors are captivated from a distance by the sugary, fine beige sandbars set amidst the sky-blue seawater. Gazing upwards might evoke a sensation of flying kites as wild ducks, seagulls, and other seabirds glide and dive into the water.

Abu Suraya is a place in the Farasan Islands where you can swim, fish, and overnight camp.

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The boat docked at Abu Suraya Sandbar

The Abu Suraya Sandbar

The sandbar viewed from the breeding ground of the wild ducks.

Wild ducks gliding down to the sandbar

The visitors get amazed by the gliding of the wild ducks around; way of interacting with humans.

The main breeding ground of the wild ducks.

The sandbar that connects the two ends of the islands.

Abu Suraya Sandbar

The wild ducks egg

The wild ducks and other seabirds are unmindful of the visitor's presence.

The wild ducks and other seabirds are unmindful of the visitor's presence.

The beige sandbar, alive with seagulls, wild ducks, and pelicans soaring and circling above, offers island visitors a truly stress-relieving and breathtaking sight.

Click the play tab to watch the video on YouTube.

Farasan Gandol (Farasan Mangroves)

Farasan Gandol is a safeguarded mangrove forest that is available for exploration. Visitors to the islands can venture into the wilds of the Water World and the lush areas of the sea by entering the heart of the mangrove region. Take a moment to hear the quacking of ducks and the melodies of various birds emanating from the depths of the sea forest.

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Island hoppers wave to the author's camera.

The entrance to the mangrove forest.

The author, guide, and the boat skipper entering Farasan Gandal.

The mangrove forest during low tide.

The boat skipper, paddling to maneuver the boat.

The tour guide explaining to the author about the mangrove forest.

Visitors enjoying the sea calm boat ride

Fishermen's resting hut near the mangrove forest.

Click the play tab to watch the video on YouTube.

Traveling to the Farasan Islands, you should take this note about the use of cameras:

1. Entry the port area up to the boarding of the Ferry Boat – No Camera allowed

2. Inside the Ferry Boat – No taking photos and video of the port area

3. In the middle of the trip, a camera is allowed. You may take pictures and video inside and outside the ferry boat

4. Closing to the Farasan Island – Taking videos and photos of the island is prohibited.

5. Docking at the port – No taking photos and video of the dock and the ferry boat.

6. Once inside the island – A camera is permitted, except for the government installations.

7. Island hopping – Cameras are allowed.

How To Get Here

• Book a ticket to Jazan City. If you have not secured a ticket, it would be best to be in Jazan one day before your scheduled trip to secure a ticket at the port, especially if you will bring your car.

• Book a hotel in Jazan City as your standby or layover accommodation

• Visit the Ferry Station at the Port of Jazan and secure the ticket – The ticket is Free of charge

• The Ferry Boat Leaves the port to Farasan 07:00 First Trip and 09:00 – 2nd trip Sharp.

• So, on the day of your trip, you should be at the port one hour before the departure schedule:

• If you booked the 07:00 departure, you should be at the at 06:00 AM

• If you Booked at 09:00, you should be at the port at 08:00 to allow any on-the-spot issues.

• Proceed to the check-in gate for security, ticket, and document checking.

  
  

The nearest hotels you can book for your layover accommodation are Novotel and Al Borg Al Watheer Hotels. They are located by the bayside, next to one another.

How To Do The Island Hopping

• If you have a hotel reservation on arrival at Farasan Island, do your first check-in.

• Proceed to the speedboat docking port and discuss your activities with the boaters.

• The price of the boat rental is SAR250.00 per hour.

• Once you have agreed with the boaters about the rental, you must present your Citizen ID for Saudi nationals, Iqama for foreign residents, and passports for non-resident visitors to record your presence for safety and security purposes.

• Wait until your documents are returned, and the boaters will bring you to the places. The boaters likewise facilitate the documentation of your presence. Once processing is done, they will ask you to ride the boat.

What To Bring

On your island hopping before leaving the port, you should have with you the following:

• Drinking waters

• Food packs for the whole day hopping or overnight camping

• Bring your mountable tent if you intend to do overnight camping on one of the islands. The weather on the island is unpredictable; the rains sometimes come randomly, so you have shelter to keep you from the rain.

• Jackets or sweaters to keep you warm at night.

• Extra clothes

• And others as you deem consider necessary.

If you have a friend to guide you on your island hopping, so much the better, though the boaters could sometimes also be your tour guide.

But if you don’t have anybody to assist you, it is best to hire a local guide. The guides will help with everything. In my case, as a solo traveler and first-timer, my guide was the one who facilitated everything, including securing the Ferry ticket back and forth.

Hotels in the Farasan Islands

1. Knights Park

2. Farasan Hotel

Guide: Mr. Adel Alawani

Mobille: +966 50 268 6473