Beach Camping in Saudi Arabia
When summer hits Saudi, the best place to beat the heat is to head to the Red Sea which is along the West coast of Saudi Arabia.
There are plenty of pristine public beaches that are secluded and tucked away from the city where you could go and spend the day or even a few nights.
Finding a spot where you could swim and camp should be done cautiously as there are some areas where it is not allowed or dangerous to swim in.
- Open Google Map (Satellite) and check which area seems to be sandy with corals.
- Check with the closest coast guard on the spots where you could camp and swim so you don’t waste your time wandering in areas that might not be allowed to swim or camp in.
- Drive along the coast and pick your camping spot.
- Go back to the nearest coast guard and inform them of your camping spot and provide an ID of a male who will be responsible for the campsite.
- The coast guard will give you a permit and a number to be placed on your campsite so they can identify each campsite.
- Set your camp and enjoy your time!
Coast guards constantly move back and forth to ensure safety. I never felt bothered and they were always helpful whenever I needed anything.
Here are the camping spots I have camped in recently.
Rabigh: https://goo.gl/maps/PLdfxoRWCSE1MZXz6
Umluj: https://goo.gl/maps/kFmPyNrsoP9rSXYo6
UPDATE: Beach camping is no longer allowed along all the coasts of Saudi Arabia. Individuals can sleep along the beach only with a sleeping bag and without a tent. Sometimes, you can get lucky if you are allowed by the coast guard to camp a couple of meters away from the shore.
Got questions? Comment below and I’ll happily answer them!
Rabigh Campsite
Rabigh Campsite
Rabigh Campsite
Rabigh Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Umluj Campsite
Photos by:
@photojunaid @shaggy23 @zee_tr @qairawan_sa @musaphoto
Here’s a quick preview of the Rabigh Campsite
Chris Kirsty
Please could you tell me how easy it is to contact and find the coast guards. Great article. Thank you.
Nada Al Nahdi
It’s very easy. You can either search on Google Map or ask a local near by the coast you want to camp in. However, it is currently not allowed to camp in any coastal areas in this period. I am not sure which coastal areas allow beach camping at this moment.
Paul Ramble
This sounds amazing! I have a 10 month old and we used to go camping and trekking before he was born. But I wonder if that would be possible in umluj? Ofcourse could go to Rabigh since it’s so close to Kaust.
Do you think things will open up for October?
Nada Al Nahdi
Hopefully it will open up soon. To my knowledge, it is currently not allowed to camp all along the coasts of Saudi as per the latest news. I am not sure when this will be lifted.
N K
I went to Al Lith from Jeddah recently and returned very frustrated. Swimming was banned on the beach but I could hire a boat and jump in the same spot in the sea and it would be legal. The boat cost 400 riyals an hour though. And you’re right about the coast guards. They’re everywhere. I went a couple kms away from the city and away from any road and within 5 mins from parking my car, they would show up. I didn’t know I could ask for permission to set up camp or that I could take their guidance for good spots to dive in. Will surely try that the next time I go. I hope they interpret my Arabic accurately.
Nada Al Nahdi
Hi, yes coast guards are always on patrol for safety and security reasons. It’s best to take the guidance from the coast guard on where you could camp/swim. They also provide the camping permits.
S.Inas Inayath
I am currently researching Camping sites in Saudi Arabia, I wanted to ask you about your time at Umluj – What was the camping like and did you have to get any permits to camp there – and if you have any contacts I can approach for further research.
Thank you
Inas
Nada Al Nahdi
Unfortunately, coastal camping is currently forbidden all along the coasts of Saudi. You can get the permit from the closest coast guard office.
Sean
Hello Nada,
Is the coastal camping option open yet? I was thinking about camping along the Tabuk region coast and saw this thread. I thought I would ask.
Nada Al Nahdi
In some areas it is allowed to camp. Around Tabuk region, you can camp in Haql.
nadeem shahzad
Hi
Can you share location maps of campsite close to Jeddah or AlLaith, where I can take family with kids.
Thank you
Nada Al Nahdi
You can camp by the coast of Rabigh
miji
hi, can you guide how to ask camping permit? we went camping in Rabigh and coast guard ask us to leave.
Nada Al Nahdi
It is not longer allowed to beach camp by the shore. You can stay there without a tent. If you want to put a tent, it has to be away from the shore.
Tai Idrus
How much is the fee for camping permit?
Nada Al Nahdi
There isn’t any fee.
Richard Harris
Are there any groups that go camping? Looking for camping North and South of Jeddah. Enjoy fishing also, while camping near the beaches.
Nada Al Nahdi
You can find tour groups that go camping. Unfortunately beach camping is no longer allowed.