Farasan Banks, Saudi Arabia

This untouched area on the eastern side of the Red Sea offers a superb chance for adventurous anglers to explore an enormous saltwater fishery that has the potential to be something truly special. Fishing here is a very rare opportunity to be amongst the first to cast a fly in these waters.

Exciting, exploratory fishing for all the usual Indian Ocean species

The area contains enormous atoll-like structures, islands, banks and exposed sections of reef, along with endless shoreline flats – all the right ingredients to provide some world class flats fishing. The wading on hard white sand, turtlegrass or coral flats is easy but guests should expect to cover a fair amount of ground on foot during the day in warm conditions. This first season is still exploratory and guests and guides will be transported from the mothership in two large semi rigid inflatable tender boats. As such, pairs of anglers and their guide will not have exclusive use of a tender during this initial season.

Species encountered so far include all the major Indian Ocean targets including giant trevally, golden trevally, moustache and yellow margin triggerfish, bonefish, Indo-Pacific permit and bumphead parrotfish. The four fishing guides accompanying the anglers are among some of the most experienced in the Indian Ocean. They are personable, great instructors and highly motivated towards guests’ needs. Each of them has a skipper’s license, a marine safety course and basic first aid training. Their passion and dedication is infectious and they will go the extra time to ensure the experience of a lifetime.

Day time temperatures range from mid 30 to 40 degrees centigrade, and the morning sessions, while the water stays relatively cool, seem to be the most productive. The plan will be to focus on these morning sessions, often leaving the mothership quite early and coming back to the boat around 2 to 3pm. Timings may change as the season progresses and it will always be the aim to maximise time on the water. While not fishing, guests will have the opportunity to dive or snorkel (there is a fully qualified dive instructor onboard) or simply take it easy for the rest of the day.

Comfortable liveaboard

Eight anglers per week are accommodated on a spacious 131ft liveaboard. Each large air conditioned stateroom has a private bathroom and shower, together with a porthole window. The extremely comfortable vessel also has a large air conditioned saloon, sun deck, hot tub, sun loungers, deck chairs and bar (no alcohol is permitted in Saudia Arabia). All meals are served in the large, comfortable, air conditioned dining area.

Remote Rea Sea Location

The Farasan Banks comprise a large section of the Red Sea between Al Lith and Jazan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Guests will need to fly into Jeddah the day prior to the trip. After overnighting here the group will leave on a two and a half hour road transfer to Al Lith where the liveaboard will be waiting. From here you will motor overnight to the desired fishing grounds, spending the next seven nights/six days exploring the further potential of the area.