Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port city and the gateway to Makkah and Madinah, where the UNESCO-listed coral-stone houses of Historic Jeddah (Al-Balad), the long Corniche, the 300-metre King Fahd's Fountain and the Jeddah Waterfront sit along one sea-facing coast.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Jeddah.
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- busy, family-friendly public beach on the Red Sea
- Lifeguards
- Fenced swimming areas
- Children's areas
- Facilities (washrooms)
Obhur Corniche Public Beach
Public Red Sea beach on the Obhur Corniche, opened 2023, with lifeguards and fenced swimming areas; swimming is allowed 10:00 to 18:00.
Editor’s tip. Swim only within the fenced area and 10:00 to 18:00.
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- new waterfront public beach with a social feel
- Sun loungers
- Snack bars
- Volleyball nets
Jeddah Waterfront Public Beach
New public beach on the Jeddah Waterfront (reported August 2025) with sun loungers, snack bars and volleyball nets; entry fee not published.
Editor’s tip. Check hours and any fee at the entrance; none were published.
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- private family beach club
- Shallow water for small children
- Family facilities
Silver Sands Beach
Family beach club on Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Street; membership required, shallow water for small children.
Editor’s tip. Do not travel without a confirmed guest pass or membership.
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- private resort beach
- Resort beach
- Dive centre in front of the resort (Al-Haddad Scuba Wave)
Bhadur Resort Beach (day visitors)
Resort beach on Obhur Street; guests and booked day-trippers only, so a resort day pass or booking is required.
Editor’s tip. Book the day pass before travelling.
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- basic, quieter public beach
- Public beach access
Al Saif Beach
Free public beach about 50 km south of Jeddah on the coastal road.
Editor’s tip. Bring water, shade and food; services are not confirmed.
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- long public beach day trip
- Children's play areas
- Open 24 hours; swimming 10:00 to 18:00
Thuwal Public Beach
Public beach about 80 km north of Jeddah, open 24 hours with swimming limited to 10:00 to 18:00; children's play areas.
Editor’s tip. Swim only between 10:00 and 18:00.
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- private beach club day out
- Private beach club
- Day visitors admitted for a fee
Shades Beach at Durrat Al Arous
Private beach club; day visitors pay SAR 200 or 280 (women) and SAR 350 or 500 (men) depending on the day; closed Sundays.
Editor’s tip. Confirm the price and book ahead; figures may be outdated.
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- local beach with unconfirmed facilities
- Beach access (facilities not published)
Khaleej Salman Beach
Beach in north Jeddah listed by List magazine; fees, hours and family sections not published.
Editor’s tip. Check conditions and fees on arrival.
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- active Red Sea diving hub
- PADI 5-star dive centre
- Shore access to coral reef
- Snorkelling excursions and daily dive trips
Obhur Creek Snorkelling and Diving (Al-Haddad Scuba Wave)
PADI 5-star dive centre on Obhur Street with shore diving, snorkelling excursions and daily boat dives; Jeddah dives typically cost SAR 300 to SAR 700.
Editor’s tip. Bring a certification card for certified dives.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Jeddah memorable.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Jeddah’s coast.
Is there an entry fee?
Not confirmed; a guide quotes SAR 100 (about USD 27) per person but this may refer to a nearby resort. Check at the gate.
From the Obhur Corniche Public Beach editorial.
When can people swim?
Between 10:00 and 18:00.
From the Obhur Corniche Public Beach editorial.
Is it public?
Yes, it was reported as a public beach, unlike members-only resorts.
From the Jeddah Waterfront Public Beach editorial.
What is the entry fee?
Not published in the source found.
From the Jeddah Waterfront Public Beach editorial.
Can visitors enter without membership?
Membership is required; guest access was not confirmed.
From the Silver Sands Beach editorial.
Is it good for children?
The water is shallow, suiting small children.
From the Silver Sands Beach editorial.
Is a day pass required?
Yes, booking ahead is required for day visitors.
From the Bhadur Resort Beach (day visitors) editorial.
How much is it?
Not published; confirm with the resort.
From the Bhadur Resort Beach (day visitors) editorial.