RegionOutline guide

Farasan Islands

Saudi Arabian archipelago in the Red Sea and a governorate of Jazan Province

Photo: Idontknowauser, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Farasan Islands are islands in the Red Sea in Asir, the far southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. They lie 50 km offshore from the city of Jizan.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Beit Al-Jaramal
See
بيت الجرمل
Beit al-Jaramal is a distortion of "the house of the Germans". It was built in 1901 CE by Getman merchants as a coal warehouse.
Details

Getting there and around

Getting there

You can go on a 40-hour boat ride, Ferry passage is free. The ferry carries 35–40 cars and can accommodate about 800 people.

Read in the guide

Getting around

In the Farasan Islands there is a city called Farasan with a population of 20,000 locals (as of 2010), you can go ahead meet the locals and know the life in Farasan, there are as well many beautiful coastlines.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Jizan Regional Airport / King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport

Jizan · Regional · GIZ

Search stays near GIZ

Search flights

Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThe Farasan Archipelago has more than 90 islands with a population of about 18,000 people (2010). Many of these islands are uninhabited.

Get inYou can go on a 40-hour boat ride, Ferry passage is free. The ferry carries 35–40 cars and can accommodate about 800 people.

Get aroundIn the Farasan Islands there is a city called Farasan with a population of 20,000 locals (as of 2010), you can go ahead meet the locals and know the life in Farasan, there are as well many beautiful coastlines.

SeeOne of the main sites on the island is the sandstone village of Al Qassar, which is said to date back to the time of the Romans. It is no longer inhabited, and it has been completely rebuilt to host tourists.

DoDiving and snorkeling in the reefs and beaches in the Islands are a popular activity there for tourists; there are no dive centers on Farasan Island, so be prepared to carry your own snorkeling gear.

EatThere are local restaurants with very delicious sea food there, if you are more into fast food there are local pizza restaurants and burgers being sold for a cheap price.

DrinkArabic Coffee is mainly a traditional drink in all of Saudi Arabia, and tea (which the locals call shay).

SleepMany tourists prefer to camp in the coastal areas of the Farasan Islands, if you are looking for hotels there is Farasan Coral Resort and the Farasan Hotel, and a few local hotels inside the city.

Go next

Abha

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Farasan Islands" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Farasan Islands", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Idontknowauser, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Farasan Islands" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Farasan Islands", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Idontknowauser, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Overview

Sights and activities

Beit Al-Jaramal

Getting there and around

Getting there

Getting around

Airports and nearby hotels

Jizan Regional Airport / King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport

Full travel guide

Go next

Sources and licences

Overview

Sights and activities

Beit Al-Jaramal

Getting there and around

Getting there

Getting around

Airports and nearby hotels

Jizan Regional Airport / King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport

Full travel guide

Go next

Sources and licences