Jeddah’s beaches are a magnet for families with kids – 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 stretch of sand in north Jeddah, and locals often drive down to where the water breaks – there are even gentle waves. There's also 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 km 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.
In late 2024, Red Sea Global opened a luxury private resort at Thuwal, which provides a completely bespoke beach experience for those in search of the ultimate getaway. While it's not a budget destination, it's worth the indulgence if you can afford it.
4. Durrat Alarous
A relatively new development, 45 minutes from Jeddah, Durrat Alarous is dominated by hotels and holiday rentals, and most of the beaches here are private. Shades Beach allows day visitors for SAR 200/280 for women and SAR 350/500 for men (Tuesday to Thursday/Friday and Saturday), and is closed on Sunday.
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-oriented. 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 walkways 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. Silver Sands Beach
Members-only Silver Sands is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of other Red Sea beaches and offers a quieter place to enjoy the pristine sands and sparkling waters.
It is located on Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Street in the Al Lulu District and offers visitors a delightful experience. Be sure to enjoy family-friendly activities such as jet skiing and snorkelling, and catch sight of the alluring coral reefs amid the calm turquoise waters. The shallow waters by the beach are perfect for tiny tots.
