21
Farasan Islands
860km
80km
Driving EASY PAVED ROAD AND COMPACTED SAND
Best for A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Recommended for CULTURE AND FUN IN THE SUN
Just off the mainland, the Farasan Islands are both a tropical island paradise and a destination of historical importance. The only inhabited part of the island is a cluster of houses in the east – a mix of modern homes and restored landmarks. The rest of the island is an adventure through stunning sandy beaches, dense Ashoura forests and aquamarine sea.
The Farasan Islands are just a short one-hour ferry journey from Jazan. Once you arrive, you can opt to check out the white sands of Port Beach before spending time meandering through the walkways of the Al Qessar Heritage Village.
The route takes you to the more built-up area of the island where you can visit the rest of the historical landmarks, including the House of Riffai. The developed promenade of Al Hases beach sits to the west and then it's an easy off-road track to reach the beautiful Al Qandal Forest.
To venture over the other side of the island, cross the impressive Maadi Bridge and out head out towards Abu Twoq beach. This drive is long (over 30km), and the area is largely deserted.
Al Qessar Heritage Village
A gate modelled on local mudbrick buildings marks the entrance to this impressive heritage village. Free to enter, the expansive settlement dates back almost 3,000 years according to the inscriptions discovered on site. Inside, there are lovingly restored mudstone buildings – some containing mock-ups of traditional domestic interiors. Alongside the culture, you'll find plenty of rest areas, a café, a mosque and even a small children’s park.
HAREED FESTIVAL
The Hareed (Parrot Fish) Festival takes places annually on Al Hases Beach in the Farasan Islands. The event marks the arrival of shoals of parrotfish who swarm to the shallow waters in mid-April every year. The highlight of the event is the fish catching competition as competitors take to the water with nets to try and catch the most fish. A popular event with locals and tourists, extra ferries from Jazan are put on to accommodate visitors.
House of Riffai
Reminiscent of Indian architecture, this stunning house and mosque represents the merging of cultures at this historic trading post. Built by pearl merchant Ahmed Munawar Al-Rifai in 1922, the elaborate façade of the main gate and buildings are made from stucco, a cement-based plaster that has been moulded into intricate scrolling patterns.
Although you can’t enter the house itself, the mosque that sits opposite is open to visitors. The rectangular building of the main prayer room is half brick, half ornate stucco. Inside, rows of decorative niches line the walls. These remarkable structures provide a fascinating insight into the lives of the wealthy pearl traders that operated in this area.
THE JAZAN TO FARASAN ISLANDS FERRY LEAVES TWICE DAILY, THE TRIP IS FREE BUT CAN GET BUSY. IF YOU GO IN PEAK SEASON, IT IS BEST TO BOOK IN ADVANCE.
Historical Fort
This stone fort sits in a strategic position on a hill overlooking the island. It would have acted as a lookout post for potential invaders and a vantage point to keep an eye on the trade routes. The fort is closed off, but you can get a decent view of the structure from the gate.
Al Najdi Mosque
The mosque is a large, whitewashed building that is still in use today. It was built around 1928 by Ibrahim Al Tamini, the son of renowned pearl merchant from Hotat Bani Tamim in Najd. It is thought the mosque was constructed from the proceeds of the sale of a large pearl. His aim, to build a mosque that was grander than any on the island. The beauty of the mosque is mostly found in its interior where colourful geometric patterns are painted into the domed ceilings.
Al Qandal Forest
This dense Ashoura forest sits at the northern tip of this island. Growing around a rocky inlet, you can admire the view from the edge of the rocks or arrange to hire a boat to head into the forest. The wildlife that is attracted to the area is diverse and includes hawks, gulls, pelicans and flamingos.
Beaches
A series of beautiful tropical beaches are dotted across the island. Al Hases beach is a developed area with a large pedestrian walkway. The other beaches on the island are undeveloped, the most popular being Ras al Qarn which is known for its remarkable diving spots.
