Yanbu

Yanbu has been a port for Medina since antiquity and grew as an entry point for pilgrims and goods on the Red Sea. The old town, Al Balad, holds coral-stone and mud houses with wooden rawasheen screens on the upper floors, some restored and some derelict, along with a house linked by local tradition to T E Lawrence. The modern city is dominated by an industrial complex of refineries and petrochemical plants to the north, which supports the economy. Offshore the reefs are among the better dive sites on the Saudi Red Sea, with wrecks including the Iona and healthy coral, worked by operators from the city marina.

History

Yanbu's history goes back at least 2,500 years, when it was a staging point on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt, and Diodorus Siculus mentions Sharm Yanbu under the name Charmuthas. It remained a small port town until 1975, when it was made one of the country's two new industrial centres (Wikipedia, Yanbu).

What to look for

• Al Balad old town - the coral-stone houses and wooden screens.
• The Lawrence house - the old house in the quarter linked to T E Lawrence.
• The corniche - the waterfront promenade along the sea.
• Reef diving - the coral and wrecks offshore from the marina.

When to go

November to April for comfortable temperatures; the Red Sea coast is very hot and humid in summer. Diving is possible year round with warmer water in summer. Weekends are busier on the corniche.

Practical notes

Much of the old town is still derelict despite restoration in parts. The industrial zone dominates the northern approach. Dive operators are limited in number and should be booked. Modest dress applies in the old town.

Nearby

Medina lies inland to the east; Jeddah is south along the coast.

Key facts