An underwater paradise
Whoever has the chance to dive off the coast of Djibouti will discover real underwater gardens, multicolored, frequented, permanently or periodically, by a large number of animal species. The species (fauna and flora) present in the Djiboutian seabed belong to both the coral domains of the Red Sea and the reefs of the Indian Ocean, which ensures the presence of a great animal and plant diversity. Its coasts constitute the habitat of many species of colorful and predatory fish of various sizes. Snorkeling (swimming with fins, mask and snorkel) allows beginners to easily enjoy these marine treasures, because the coral fields are shallow. The islands and mangrove swamps have nothing to envy to the paradisiacal archipelagos of the tropics, with their warm turquoise waters and fine sandy beaches.
An abundant underwater fauna
The nomads of this region of the world have long turned their backs on the ocean and have been interested in the resources of the sea for a long time: little fishing, little degradation. The region has no river that can discharge silt and various types of pollution. Industrial fishing has been banned since 2001. It remains exclusively artisanal. Strict measures have followed: underwater hunting prohibited, harvesting and trade in coral and coral fish suspended, protection of certain endangered species (turtles, dugongs, large cetaceans). Apart from an upsurge in poaching (shark hunting to feed the fin trade), and the incursion of trawlers caught in the act of illegal fishing, the result is a virtually untouched coastline.
The Seven Brothers archipelago, considered as THE most exceptional site of Djibouti, hosts colonies of hard and soft corals, huge coral plateaus, various fishes, among which the biggest... Indeed, huge specimens populate the waters of the Gulf of Tadjourah and Goubet. Whale sharks, various sharks, rays and huge barracudas, giant octopuses and moray eels were observed in the past by Cousteau and local fishermen, and are still magnified in the legends.
Over 400 species of fish
There are more than 400 species of fish in Djibouti waters, including 140 coral fish. The latter, in schools or solitary, are particularly appreciated by divers who are amazed by the variety of their colors. We can see duke fish, devil fish, butterfly fish, coachman fish, soldier fish, lion fish, lyre tail fish, squirrel fish, damsel fish, scorpion fish, angel fish, hedgehog fish, parrot fish (and its beak which allows it to crunch the coral), clown fish, the great surgeon, the deceitful and dangerous stone fish, the fireworks of the flying scorpion fish... A succession of evocative and poetic names. Various species of rays (blue spotted, torpedo) frequent these waters, from the smallest to the most gigantic such as the manta ray (on Shark Island for example).
Predators are not lacking either. Moray eels can be found everywhere and sometimes reach impressive dimensions (up to 3 m). Barracudas of all sizes, fast as lightning, shoot and shine while attacking their prey. Sharks of various species are very numerous, as in the whole Red Sea: white tip, black tip, blue, speckled, sleeper, hammerhead, grey, reef, thresher, tiger. Not forgetting others, just as big, such as yellowfin tuna, jacks, crocodile fish, swordfish, giant wrasse. Big groupers point their faces of solitary sulky, whether they are "of the Red Sea" or "vagrant loche". Finally, the largest fish in the world, the placid whale shark, remains the undisputed star.The whale shark, gentle giant of the sea
All divers dream of swimming alongside it. Its lifespan is about 70 years. It lives in tropical and temperate waters and feeds exclusively on plankton. Seasonal gatherings take place in several sites in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, and particularly in Djibouti, from mid-October to February, when the waters are richest in plankton. They gather in the Gulf of Tadjourah and in the Ghoubet-al-Kharab to feed and reproduce. The very placid Rhincodon typus measures from 2.5 to 8 m and can sometimes reach 15 or even 18 m. Despite its size, this solitary animal is completely harmless to humans. It moves slowly, opening its wide mouth which engulfs and filters the plankton and sometimes the sardines or anchovies it feeds on. It feeds close to the surface, which is why it is easily observed, but also more vulnerable. A contact zone of 250 m around the whale shark must be respected. Whale sharks are threatened by habitat destruction, pollution and fishing, so it is important to protect their environment and limit disturbances that may cause them stress or affect their natural behaviour. A few essential rules must be strictly respected during the dive: listen carefully to the briefing before the excursion.
Cetaceans, molluscs and crustaceans
Eleven species of cetaceans have also been listed: dolphins of various species (spinner, humpback, spotted, Indian, pilot whale...), orcas, beaked whales and sperm whales are among the "stars". The former are numerous and often observed. We can also mention the strange dugong, a 3 m long herbivorous mammal, a relative of the manatee, now threatened with extinction. Completely harmless, with a particularly friendly appearance, it resembles a cow grazing on the sea floor.
Among the small ones of this underwater world, the lobsters, sometimes enormous, formerly in peace, are today appreciated by the tourists and thus less represented. Many kinds of crabs can be found on the coast and shrimps feed many predators. The inventory of molluscs is difficult to make as they are so numerous. However, 35 species of porcelain can be found. Pearl oysters are always present. Clams compete with fish and coral to colour the underwater world, opening their immense mantle.
Finally, among the sea turtles present, we will mention the Caret, green, hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and Ridley turtles. Their hunting and the trade of their scales are strictly forbidden. They can sometimes be seen from the shore, when you go along the coast at the bottom of the Goubet. Or, more surely, by diving in the Canyon or in the Red Sands.A real underwater garden
If you dive in Djibouti, you will quickly understand the nickname of "underwater garden" given to certain areas. Multicoloured algae (400 species) and phanerogamous plants make up real meadows, which proliferate between 0 and 200 m in depth.
Djibouti is home to some of the most beautiful seabeds in the world, with intact coral reefs of incomparable variety (more than 200 species of hard and soft corals). These coral reefs, of the so-called classic fringing type, are considered to be in good condition. The reef is either stuck to the coast (between 0 and 15 m deep), or separated by an often narrow channel. One finds here hard corals as well as soft corals, corals from the Red Sea as well as from the Indian Ocean. But also corals specific to the Gulf of Tadjourah, which are characterized by original colors and an astonishing ability to survive in waters that are a priori inappropriate for them (too high temperature in particular).
The corals form lively, colourful gardens with varied shapes that sometimes evoke real underwater cities. In these reefs, a good part of the underwater species are perpetuated. But the coral reef is a fragile environment, which requires the greatest attention. The propagation of parasites (large starfish, perforating sponges, sea urchins), the scraping of the reefs by boat anchors, climate change, etc., seriously threaten these marine ecosystems.
Diving sites
The main diving and snorkelling sites are around Djibouti City, the Musha Islands, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Tadjourah, towards Goubet el-Kharâb, at the bottom of the Gulf of Tadjourah, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Tadjourah and between Obock and the Seven Brothers Archipelago. This playground has a total of 34 sites identified, named and frequented by divers. Beyond, on the Red Sea, to the north, towards the Eritrean border, the area remains unexplored, for obvious security reasons.
The Seven Brothers archipelago, accessible by cruise, offers exceptional dives (among the top 10 in the world) in difficult conditions (strong current, average visibility) due to the meeting of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Forbidden for years due to maritime safety issues, it has been possible to return there since March 2016.
To the north of Goubet, a unique site also delights experienced divers: the Faille. It is the meeting point of three tectonic plates: the African plate, the Indian Ocean plate and the Asian plate. The dive takes place along a large fissure, we advance between 10 to 50 m between two rocky walls, we go through many caves and tunnels. The fauna is very present and the diving particularly impressive.All levels welcome
Djibouti's dive sites are no longer reserved for solo, autonomous and adventurous divers. Today, confirmed level 1 divers can dive in complete safety. And for the novices, we can't advise you enough to go for it. The conditions are ideal for a first time and the training is of high quality. On the safety side, for the most anxious, you should know that Djibouti has a fully operational decompression chamber at the French military base. Approved diving clubs, such as Dolphin Excursions (www.dive-djibouti.com), can access it 24/7 all year round, in case of emergency. This being said, the dives are strictly supervised and strictly respectful of the safety instructions.
The best time to dive is from October to April, and even better from November to February, when the waters of the Red Sea are clearest. Winter, especially the months of December and January, is very popular. The water temperature remains constant all year round (between 28 and 30°C). It is during this period that the huge and placid whale sharks roam the Gulf of Tadjourah. Several Djibouti agencies offer diving trips. But you can also prepare everything in Europe via specialized agencies, which most of the time rely on Djibouti agencies.
