Al-Qandal Forest is located on the northern part of the Farasan Islands. It is home to the iconic mangrove trees, which give the illusion of stepping into a slice of paradise on Earth. Ideally, the forest can be seen by taking a boat over crystal clear creeks, which complement the picturesque tropical look and feel of the forest. The area also has an assortment of other vegetation thanks to favorable climates, and the island's untouched nature. Naturally, this makes this part of the islands ideal for birds such as hawks, gulls, pelicans, and flamingos, with plenty of Red Sea fish providing nourishment.

 

Being part of the Red Sea, Al-Qandal Forest is also no stranger to coral reefs, and the parrotfish. During the spring, usually in April and May, festivals are held to commemorate the return of the parrotfish to the islands as they breed in the waters and feed off algae on the coral reefs, helping to keep the ecosystem clean and healthy. Visitors join the area’s fishermen during the Hareed Festival (Arabic for Parrotfish) to catch hundreds of thousands of parrot fish that return to Farasan to lay eggs.