Qandal Forests in Farasan: A Sea Journey Between Greenery and Water Attracting Eid Visitors

The Qandal forests in the Farasan Islands are attracting increasing numbers of visitors and tourists during the Eid al-Adha holiday, seeking quiet sea experiences and coastal nature, in one of the most prominent environmental destinations on the islands, amidst scenes combining calm waters, dense greenery, and marine wildlife.

About 16 kilometers from Farasan Port, the sea journey to Qandal begins through a rocky entrance about 50 meters wide, before the waterways open onto a natural scene where dense trees appear to form a green corridor over the water, while small boats glide quietly through shallow waters reflecting the shadows of branches and the play of light.

The Qandal forests offer visitors a different visual experience; dense greenery blends with the clarity of calm waters in a natural tableau where trees seem to embrace the sea, while narrow pathways and intertwined branches evoke a sense of quiet isolation and serenity, making the journey inside Qandal an experience akin to a visual discovery of unique marine nature.

Qandal is the local name for a special type of mangrove tree that grows in the coastal environment of the Farasan Islands, characterized by its aerial roots extending above water and soil, helping it adapt and thrive in saline environments, forming a natural ecosystem that shelters small marine organisms and provides the coasts with important ecological balance.

The forests provide a natural habitat for a number of resident and migratory birds, most notably the heron, along with other species such as the great egret, seagulls, and terns, as well as migratory coastal birds that use the Qandal environment as a seasonal stop for rest and food during their long migration journeys, in a natural scene that adds visual vitality to the place, attracting the attention of visitors and birdwatchers.

The sea journey sometimes allows visitors to see dolphins swimming near boat routes in the open waters leading to Qandal, a sight that adds further appeal to the marine experience for fans of marine wildlife.

Several tourist boat captains explained that demand for Qandal trips increases during holidays, especially with visitors’ desire for different natural experiences, noting that the journey through the waterways has become a major stop in Farasan visit programs due to the visual tranquility and marine experience it offers, different from traditional open destinations.

Tourist activity has stimulated a number of activities related to marine tourism, including the operation of small boats, organization of short trips, and support services, at a time when the status of the Farasan Islands as a tourist destination combining nature, heritage, and environmental experiences is being strengthened.

This comes within the framework of the efforts of the Saudi Red Sea Authority to regulate coastal and marine activities, enhance the quality of the tourist experience, while preserving the marine environment and sustaining natural sites, and highlighting the tourism assets of the Farasan Islands without disrupting their ecological balance.