Jeddah’s beaches are a magnet for the whole family – a place to stroll along peacefully while enjoying a refreshing cool breeze. And when the temperature rises in summer, the sea is the perfect option to cool you down quickly.
Watersports and the relevant equipment tend to be the reserve of private resorts but Thuwal Beach and its marina are great places to arrange boat tours and day trips.
As for the beaches themselves, at their best, they are like their counterparts on Egypt’s Red Sea coast just over the waves: the water is warm, and there isn’t much in the way of rip tides or major swells. Perfect for your tiny travellers in need of a cooling paddle. These are seven of our favourite beaches in and around Jeddah.
1. Al Saif Beach
Al Saif is a free public beach around 50 km south of Jeddah. It hugs the coastal road for several kilometres so there are lots of spots to stop and have a paddle (the water is quite shallow, so it’s a great spot for younger kids too). You’ll need your own wheels, and it’s a good idea to bring drinks and food as the beach is relatively isolated – although it does get busy on weekends. Palm-fringed grassy areas off the sand are a good spot to chill out and get out of the sun.
2. Khaleej Salman Beach
Khaleej Salman Beach is a wide, windswept patch of sand in north Jeddah, where locals drive down to where the water breaks and there are even gentle waves. There is a flat jetty about a car’s width across where you can get into the deeper water. It gets very busy here on weekends and in the evenings. Like Al Saif, Khaleej Salman is a decent place to enjoy the sunset and paddle in the shallow, warm waters of the Red Sea.
3. Thuwal Beach
Although it is around 80 kilometres from Jeddah, Thuwal Beach is popular with locals because of its harbour, cafes and eateries, and play areas for children. Boats ply various trades, including fishing trips and the opportunity to watch the sunset from the water. Although the beach is open 24 hours a day, swimming is only permitted between 10am and 6pm.
Last year, Red Sea Global opened a luxury private resort at Thuwal, which promises a completely bespoke beach experience for those in search of the ultimate getaway.
4. Durrat Al Arous
A relatively new development 45 minutes from Jeddah, Durrat Al Arous is dominated by hotels and holiday rentals and most of the beaches here are private. Shades Beach allows day visitors for SAR 280 (women) and SAR 500 (men), and is open from Wednesday to Saturday.
Another popular resort, Lafontaine Rose Beach, has one of the best stretches of sand and crystal blue waters, with swimming platforms and shark nets. The marina is a base for a range of activities including diving, jet-skiing and fishing.
5. Obhur Corniche
A new public beach opened on the corniche in Obhur in 2023, complete with lifeguards, facilities and fenced-off swimming areas. There are myriad areas for children, and the development is distinctly family-orientated. Swimming in the sea is restricted – as elsewhere on Saudi public beaches – to between 10am and 6 pm.
Among its standout features are a picturesque sea promenade and verdant open spaces, complemented by well-designed pedestrian walk ways and a dedicated cycling track.
6. Bhadur Beach
Another private option that’s relatively close to Jeddah and known as a hub for diving, with excursions into the nearby coral reef available both for guests of the resort or day-trippers (book ahead). Several jetties allow you to dive right off the pier and watersports equipment is available for rent.
7. Indigo Beach Resort
One of Jeddah’s nicest beaches, Indigo Beach Resort on the Red Sea coast is generally considered to be one of the country’s most luxurious seaside spots – so much so that you can’t even apply for an annual membership unless invited by an existing member.
Once you’re in, expect a slice of paradise complete with villas, infinity pools, a spa and access to the perfect turquoise waters of the beach. Water sports and boating excursions are also offered here. Tickets are a fairly reasonable SAR 100 per person, while a bungalow or villa on the resort for the night costs SAR 1,500-3,000.
