NATURE & OUTDOORS
How to explore Saudi's Red Sea
Dive into crystal clear waters, explore ancient history, enjoy authentic Arabian delights by day or night and unwind at a luxury resort across the Red Sea – Saudi's newest regenerative tourism destination…
By Sue Omar
One the most captivating things about Saudi’s Red Sea development is its pristine portfolio of luxury resorts that exude extravagance, while maintaining the vision’s sustainability promise. With up to 48 hotels set to launch by 2030, in the meantime you can expect to see premium hotel brands – such as The Four Seasons, Fairmont, The Ritz Carlton and Banyan Tree – take up space across the Red Sea, as they prepare to open their doors by the end of this year. Designed with eco-friendly architecture and materials, each resort has been built to harmonise the surrounding environment – set against a divine desert backdrop that boasts enchanting mountain peaks.
With miles of pristine sandy shores, these resorts and hotels offer opulent villas, private beaches, and top-tier amenities. The ultimate getaway, the Red Sea resorts are a must-visit for world class dining experiences, beach lounging, swimming, spa treatments, a wide-range of water based activities and much more.
As part of Saudi’s 2030, the Red Sea Project prioritises sustainability to preserve the ecosystem of the region, while providing unrivalled luxury and leisure experiences. From the adoption of eco-friendly materials and technologies to marine conservation, an extensive effort has been put into to ensure that the Kingdom’s luxury tourism hub protects the planet at all costs.
Across the Red Sea, renewable energy sources are integrated into the infrastructure to reduce its carbon emissions at every touch point. Meanwhile, marine conservation is an ongoing initiative that aims to protect and restore the diverse marine life and coral reefs in the Red Sea. Raising the bar for sustainable tourism, the Red Sea engages with local communities to teach them how to take better care of the environment, while preserving their cultural heritage and the natural beauty of the Red Sea.
Why visit
Saudi’s Red Sea is a dreamlike destination for water enthusiasts, offering an array of impressive aquatic activities on the bright blue sea. From colourful fish to mesmerising coral formations, get lost in the kaleidoscope of marine life through tailored water experiences to suit your mood. Whether you’d like to unwind on the water or experience exciting activities, the Red Sea’s waters offer endless and fully customisable adventures – making it a must-visit destination for all.
For thrill-seekers who want an adrenaline rush, activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and kiteboarding on the shores are readily available. But if you prefer a slower pace, yacht cruises and boat trips will give you time to soak in the breathtaking coastal landscapes, while enjoying a traditional spread of local cuisine. What’s more, fishing charters are available to hire if you have your heart set on scooping up the catch of the day.
Renowned for its diverse coral reefs and crystal-clear waters, the Red Sea is the perfect spot to enjoy epic underwater adventures like never before. From water sports to discovering underwater wonders, the Red Sea offers a wide range of exciting water activities for both leisure and thrill seekers. With its pristine coastline, the Red Sea is one of the best places on earth for underwater encounters and experiencing magical marine life and an abundance of untouched reefs. Scuba diving and snorkelling are great ways to witness the wonderful world under the sea, connect with nature and swim with sea creatures. What’s more is, the water temperature is never too high or too low – making the Red Sea ideal for deep dives underwater all year round.
To experience the true natural beauty of Saudi’s Red Sea, you must venture out to see the stunning islands that each possess unique natural wonders waiting to be explored. From Farasan to Bayada and Sindalah – these spectacular islands all have one thing in common – they each offer an unparalleled ecosystem and hidden gems for guests to explore. Best known for its rich cultural heritage, Farasan Island, right in the far south of Saudi’s Red Sea coast, is ideal for deep diving underwater, sunbathing on the beautiful beaches and spying on the exotic birds.
Whereas Bayada Island is renowned for its powdery white sand beaches, top-tier resorts and unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. Meanwhile, Neom’s Sindalah Island is due to be a standout, all-encompassing attraction that, once built, will feature a large marina, a beach club, spas, wellness centres, luxury hotels and a shopping district, delivering unforgettable experiences below and above the water.
Beyond coasting along the beautiful turquoise-blue sea, the Red Sea offers a wide range of day-time activities and night-time entertainment so that there is something for everyone to enjoy. For an awesome adventure by day, make your way to one of the surrounding desserts that offer thrilling activities like dune bashing in 4×4 vehicles, sand-boarding, and camel trekking in true Saudi style. As the sun sets over the Red Sea, you can experience a whole new world of Saudi entertainment and activities after dark.
From night cruises to beach bonfires and dining under the stars, enjoy delicious local cuisine while you soak up the cool sea breeze. And if you are looking for live entertainment, you can find traditional Saudi shows -including music and dance performances – at the luxury Red Sea resorts in the evening to give you a glimpse into local culture.
While the Red Sea is a modern, sustainable and smart destination, the preservation of traditional aspects of Saudi culture is prevalent at every cornerstone. From trying traditional cuisine to observing the national dress and learning more about Arabian history at ancient sites, you are bound to find yourself immersed in Saudi’s signature time frozen culture across the Red Sea.
Saudi also has an exploding art scene and you can find the work of local artisans displayed at luxury Red Sea resorts and hotels. Now embracing a new cultural openness, the Saudi Tourism Authority has made many changes in recent years to welcome tourists from all walks of life and promote greater gender equality to invite diversity to the Kingdom. Like most Muslim countries, Saudi still follows Islamic rulings but has recently undergone a massive reform as part of the vision, which aims to attract over 100 million tourists from across the globe by 2030.
Practical information
Visas
It’s surprisingly simple and easy to get an e-Visa for Saudi and the process is very similar to applying for an ESTA for the USA. Over 50 nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa, including people from the UK and USA, with it costing (at the time of writing) 535 Saudi riyals (about £115 or US$143). Applications are swift and nearly all applicants will receive a response within three working days – most within 24 hours. To apply for your Saudi e-Visa, visit the official Saudi Tourism Authority website. If you’re from the USA, UK or the Schengen Area, you can also apply for a visa on arrival into Saudi. It’s slightly cheaper than an e-Visa, too, at SAR480 (about £102 or US$128).
Getting there & around
You can’t currently fly to the Red Sea directly from the UK, although it’s hoped this will change in the near future. In the meantime, you can fly to the Red Sea from Jeddah (less than an hour) or Riyadh (an hour and a half). With plenty of direct flight links from the UK to Saudi, it’s really easy to get to the country. Saudi’s national airline SAUDIA flies to Riyadh three times daily from London Heathrow, while British Airways also offers a regular service from Heathrow with daily flights to the capital. SAUDIA also operates twice daily flights to Jeddah from London Heathrow and daily flights from London Gatwick. If you’re travelling from the US, SAUDIA offers direct flights to Riyadh from both New York City and Washington, D.C., as well as direct flights to Jeddah from New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Local customs
To really embrace Saudi life and pay respect towards its traditions, there are a few local customs you should abide when travelling around the country. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers their elbows and below their knees when out in public. If you’re heading to the coast, it’s still expected you dress modestly. When meeting and greeting locals, whether it’s a market stallholder or a private guide, say hello with ‘salam alaykum’, which means ‘peace be upon you’, as well as offering a handshake.
Weather
You might think it’s hot all year round in Saudi but it’s a little more nuanced than that. The best time to visit Riyadh is between October and March, when temperatures can dip as low as 20°C during the daytime and rarely exceed 30°C. Summer months in Riyadh can get extremely hot, with temperatures often above 40°C between June and September.
Is English spoken in Saudi?
Arabic is the official national language but English is widely spoken.
What is the currency of Saudi?
The currency of Saudi is the riyal, with the current rate (at the time of writing), around SAR4.76 to the UK£. You’ll need to pre-order money before you travel, as in the UK it’s not usually stocked in currency exchange booths.
What’s it like travelling in Saudi as a female?
We think you’d be surprised! To find out more, read our first-hand account on what it’s like to travel in Saudi.
What’s the time difference in Saudi?
Saudi follows Arabia Standard Time (GMT +3) all year round.
