Tabuk boasts the longest stretch of Red Sea coastline in the Kingdom and there are plenty of beachfront accommodation options to suit every budget and group size. Here you’ll find everything from luxury island living, where stingrays drift below your private villa, to basic rooms close to dreamy diving and snorkelling sites, and family friendly accommodation with kids’ activities and play areas. Read on for our top picks for beach stays in Tabuk.
What to know before you travel
Beach resorts may feel like different worlds (and some of the Red Sea coast’s more luxury offerings feel very different from the heritage sites and sand dunes nearby), but the rules here are the same as throughout the rest of the Kingdom. Beach resorts, like all hotels in Saudi, are alcohol-free but you will find extensive soft drink and mocktail menus. There’s also an expectation that you dress modestly. Don your best swimwear in private villa pools or on private beaches, but if you’re on a public beach, it’s best to wear a little more (this is particularly key in more remote locations, where tourists are less likely to visit).
There are also plenty of beautiful scenes to take snapshots of when visiting resorts in Tabuk but note that you cannot take pictures of people here without their express permission.
1. St Regis Red Sea Resort
Located on the Ummahat Islands, the five-star St Regis Red Sea Resort is a visit-before-you-die hotel in a postcard-perfect setting. There are 90 private villas (each with its own private pool, natch), and the private island can only be reached via speedboat or seaplane, adding to the rather exclusive feeling you’ll have while staying there. The surroundings are so beautiful, you’d be forgiven for spending the days lounging outside your villa, but there are plenty of adventures to be had – visit unspoilt dive sites with 30-metre visibility and a host of marine life, try your hand at strange watersport e-foiling, or take a hiking conservation tour to the Southern Dunes. If that all leaves you a little tired, relax with some pampering time at the spa or enjoy a meal overlooking the water (private dining with a personalised menu, if available, but the three restaurants here are also top-notch).
2. Royal L’azure
Pretty palm trees and lush green grass surround the rooms and villas at the Royal L’azure Beach Resort on the Red Sea coast in Sharma. The resort is part desert oasis, with sand dunes and mountains visible on the horizon, and part dreamy beach scene, with windows opening out onto sparkling blue waters.
There’s an outdoor pool and hot tub here, as well as a kids’ play area, family rooms, and a kids’ pool – it’s a great choice for families. You’ll also find a children’s menu at the restaurants onsite, so no need for arguments with fussy eaters! Nearby, you’ll find ample snorkelling and diving opportunities on the biodiverse reef, as well as hiking and desert exploration tours.
3. Hayat Haql Hotel And Marina
A budget option close to the water and the city of Haql, the Hayat Haql Hotel and Marina has clean, basic rooms, a pool, and of course access to the beautiful Red Sea coast (the hotel has its own pier and dive point). This is its big selling point but it’s also tough to beat on price (from SAR 542).
There is a restaurant onsite, but its location is close enough that you can explore the more varied culinary options in Haql. As well as diving and snorkelling from the front of the resort, you are close enough to visit abandoned Alqan Village, where snow sometimes falls in the colder months and you can see a snapshot of traditional desert homes.
4. Waves Hotel
Situated in Umluj, the five-star Waves Hotel has a private beach that leads out onto a busy coral reef about 30 metres from shore that is perfect for snorkelling. Rooms here are either mountain or beach-view, while the balcony-level swimming pool is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the water. Rooms are modestly decorated, with lovely big pillows and decent-sized beds, and there’s a coffee area and restaurant on site.
By far, the highlight is the outdoor dining – spend the evening enjoying buffet-style food, including fresh seafood, (a la carte is also available) on a deck overlooking the beach with pretty little table lights, or inside enjoying a larger menu (tables also look out over the water).
5. Nujuma, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
Personalisation is king at this ultra-luxury property that pays homage to the surroundings and history of the area. Here, 63 villas are spaced out in a circle over the water, each one with its own private pool overlooking the sea and panoramic windows to gaze out and spot marine life as it swims by. Each villa also has its own telescope; come nightfall, it’s the perfect place to stargaze. The reserve is also home to biodiverse coral and has a dive centre onsite – arrange diving and snorkelling trips to observe sea creatures including sharks, stingrays and clownfish.
There are four dining options onsite (you can also opt for full board to have food included in your stay) but for extra wow-factor you can arrange a private dining experience at your villa – the chef will craft a menu just for you. If you can peel yourself away from your private quarters, there’s also a (very) high-end spa onsite as well as a fascinating Conservation House where you can learn more about Saudi Arabia’s culture and environment.
