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Liveaboard diving in Djibouti

Gulf of Tadjoura — whale sharks from October to February, the Seven Brothers islands

Djibouti — whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura from October to February, the Seven Brothers islands. Liveaboard schedules and prices.

Why divers come here

Whale sharks in the Gulf of Tadjoura — October to February
Snorkelling with juveniles of 3–6 metres
Seven Brothers archipelago (Sept Frères) — heavy fish life and soft corals
Drift diving at the Bab-el-Mandeb strait
Lake Assal — the lowest point in Africa (−155 m)
Short 7–8 day itineraries departing from Djibouti City

What you'll meet underwater

Whale sharks (juveniles, 3–6 m, October–February) Grey reef sharks (Seven Brothers) Eagle rays Manta rays (occasional in the Gulf of Tadjoura) Schools of barracuda Giant trevally Groupers Green sea turtles

Practical information

Best season: October–February (whale sharks, comfortable weather); June–August is brutally hot and most boats do not sail
Water temperature: 24–30 °C
Visibility: 8–25 m
Wetsuit: 3 mm; many divers use a shorty or rashguard during whale shark season
Experience level: From beginner (snorkelling with whale sharks) to Advanced (currents at the Seven Brothers)
Getting there: Connecting flights via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Addis Ababa to Djibouti–Ambouli airport (JIB); 15 minutes from the airport to the port.
Airports: Djibouti–Ambouli (JIB)
Visa: Most visitors need a visa; an e-visa is applied for online before departure (typically 14 or 31 days). Passport valid for at least 6 months
Climate: Hot desert, 25–32°C in winter, up to 45°C in summer, almost no rainfall
Currency: Djiboutian franc (DJF), US dollars widely accepted
Language: French and Arabic (official), Somali and Afar widely spoken
Time zone: UTC+3