Beaches in Saudi Arabia | Private Beachfront Resorts & Secluded Getaways

With coastlines along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia lays claim to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Travelers looking for a luxurious resort getaway in a beachfront hotel should plan a trip to Jeddah. Thrifty adventurers and families hunting public beaches, however, will find some of the best beaches in Saudi Arabia in tourist destinations like Al Jubail, Al Khobar and Farasan Island.

Public Beaches in Saudi Arabia

Public beaches in Saudi Arabia are scattered along the western Red Sea coastline and in the Eastern Province along the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. Guests seeking an adventure and a more traditional travel experience in Saudi Arabia should plan a trip to out-of-the-way spots like Umluj or Haql in the northern part of the country. The Eastern Province, however, guarantees authentic tourist experiences in coastal cities like Dammam, Al Jubail and Al Khobar. And don’t leave out Farasan Island near Jazan. This southern Red Sea region is big on boat rides, watersports, diving and of course, spending lazy days on the beach.

Eastern Province | Fanateer Beach, Al Jubail

A perfect day awaits in Al Jubail, where sightseers can spend the morning playing on Fanateer Beach and the afternoon in the cool air conditioning of Fanateer Mall. The beach and mall are located on Al Jubail’s Fanateer peninsula, which features plenty of walking paths so visitors can stroll peacefully and enjoy views of boats on the water and families picnicking in the sand.

Eastern Province | Half Moon Beach, Dhahran

Families looking for an all-inclusive public beach experience in Saudi Arabia will find it at Half Moon Beach. This lovely spot on the eastern coast of Half Moon Bay in Dhahran is calm enough for swimming and fun enough that kids never get bored. The beach features a play area and water rides and comes fully equipped with bathrooms, lockers and even showers.

Check In to Dana Beach Resort Half Moon Bay Al Khobar Families only, Step Out to Dhahran

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Tabuk Region | Umluj Beach, Umluj

Be very, very quiet if you’re planning a trip to Umluj Beach, as not many people on earth know about the pristine beaches and virtually unexplored islands there. This small coastal village contains several public sandy shores, and it also is the gateway to the “Maldives of Saudi Arabia,” a group of islands that extend north to Al Wajh.

Libana Islet (Libanah) and neighboring Um Sahar (Umm Sihr) are two popular small islands to visit while staying in Umluj. In between them sets the larger and more popular (but most likely not crowded) Al Hasani (Hassani Island). Guests can negotiate a price with a local boat driver and be on any of the islands in less than an hour. Libana Islet, or just Libanah, is one of 50 islands designated for the Red Sea Project, an initiative launched by the crown prince in 2017 to boost tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Alternatively, Umluj Beach, on the city’s coast, is just as spectacular. The islands and Umluj Beach are great for swimming and sunbathing, and they are excellent spots for birdwatching, diving and watersports as well.

Check In to Shada Hospitality Collection – Mina Hotel, Step Out to Umluj

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Al Jowf (Al-Jouf) Region | Haql Beach, Haql

Guests looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Saudi Arabia should plan a trip to northern Haql in Al Jowf Region. Haql is situated on the northwestern tip of the Kingdom (next to the Jordan border and on the coast of Aqaba Gulf), and the public beach is one of the most secluded and pristine beaches in Saudi Arabia. In Haql, beach bums don’t even need to know how to dive to get an up-close look at a shipwreck, as the Haql Beach Shipwreck is close enough that fit swimmers can get there on their own!

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Jizan Region | Farasan Al Kabir Beach (Beach Alghadeer)

Farasan Island is considered a diver’s paradise, but it also is a perfect place to find public beaches, natural habitat and endless views of the turquoise waters of the Red Sea. Al Kabir (also spelled Alghadeer) Beach is a great place for a family getaway or a relaxing vacay for backpackers and beach nuts. It’s doubtful that guests will tire of lounging on white sands under the sun, but just in case, the island also contains its fair share of tourist attractions, and if that’s not enough, Jazan is an incredible city to explore.

Check In to Jazan Inn Hotel, Step Out to Jazan

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Private beach resorts in Jeddah

Travelers can bank on having a luxurious holiday by staying at one of the many beach resorts in Jeddah. These all-inclusive hotels give guests – and only guests – access to some of the best beaches in Saudi Arabia, so privacy is guaranteed. On top of beach access, many of these resorts also offer diving and snorkeling packages, boat tours and windsurfing lessons.

Silver Sands Beach, Jeddah

Adventure travelers will love a day at Silver Sands Beach. This private beach club offers a huge stretch of sandy beach as well as swimming, snorkeling and windsurfing. Expats especially enjoy Silver Sands Beach because the dress code is very relaxed. People covered fully or wearing abayas are not allowed on the beach. However, single men are not allowed on the beach, either! With paid entry, guests get complete access to the beach as well as deck chairs and umbrellas, restaurants, bathrooms and showers.

The cost to enter Silver Sands Beach is SR150, and visitors can even swim to a nearby island to check out the sights.

OIA Beach Resort, Jeddah

Inspired by the islands of Greece, OIA Beach Resort Jeddah / Family Only is one of Jeddah’s newest beach resorts and already is gaining attention for its relaxed vibe and friendly atmosphere. The resort is popular with younger locals and international guests who enjoy kayaking and sailing. The resort also features a floating water park, a shady terrace and an outdoor infinity pool with plenty of deck space.

OIA Beach Resort Jeddah / Family Only offers 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, complete with kitchens and living and dining areas. The hotel also features a kids’ club, private gym and a female-only indoor pool. To reserve an apartment, booking in advance is required.

Durrat Al-Arus, Jeddah

Considered the original (and oldest) private beach club in Saudi Arabia, Durrat Al-Arus is a massive resort area boasting 1,000 villas, a diving school and even a private hospital. The entire area is considered a city itself and makes up an artificial island on the northern outskirts of Jeddah.

Guests can reserve villas overlooking the sea for one or two days and are guaranteed almost complete privacy. The marina is a great place to hang out, especially on weekends when parties and live music erupt on the water’s edge. The resort is considered very liberal and is lenient with many Saudi Arabian dress codes and traditions, making it a popular place to stay for expats and international tourists.

Bhadur Resort

As affordable as it is private, Bhadur Resort offers way more than a strip of beach! Booking a room at Bhadur Resort means having access to spa services and classy restaurants, as well as free reign over sun chairs on the beach! The beachfront hotel is popular with families as it offers a water park, game rooms and a diving school.

Salhia Resort

It’s not what you know but who you know when it comes to getting into Salhia Resort because tourists can’t just walk in this members-only paradise. However, it’s not hard to find someone with a membership to Salhia! Travelers who manage to get through the secured gate have full access to one of the most iconic beaches in Saudi Arabia.

The place often is packed with families, especially during Eid, but the private beach area is so big that it affords guests lots of private space on the far ends of the shore. Staying close to the crowd, however, is a fun way to get to know locals, who like to hang out, listen to music and even play chess under the shady umbrellas that line this stretch of Red Sea coastline.

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