Saudi Arabia
The Farasan Islands are a coral archipelago of nearly 200 islands in the southeastern Red Sea off Jizan, Saudi Arabia, known for high live coral cover.
The Farasan Islands lie roughly 40 km off the coast of Jizan, spanning about 1,050 km2 and comprising close to 200 mostly coral islands. The submerged reef system known as the Farasan Banks surrounds the archipelago and has recorded some of the highest live coral cover measured in Saudi Red Sea surveys. Diving here is mainly liveaboard-based. The islands were designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2021.