Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES
4WD Excursions
There are ample opportunities to leave tarmac roads behind and explore Arabia's desert
interior. Among the most rewarding are the sand seas of the Empty Quarter, following the
Hejaz Railway, and excursions into the Al-Nafud desert.
Locally produced guides to off-road excursions within the Kingdom can be found in
any branch of the Jarir Bookstore, while most of the country's travel agencies can arrange
guided expeditions.
Beaches
Saudi's beaches can disappoint. Many are built on, litter strewn and very crowded at
weekends. They're almost all men-only. The best bet is to head for the five-star coastal
hotels, which often have their own private beach where women also can swim (usually
covered up by a T-shirt and trousers).
Diving
Saudi Arabia is a fabulous diving destination. Indeed, those who do know it rank it among
the best diving countries in the world. Its relative obscurity is its greatest advantage - its
reefs remain mercifully empty of divers and boats.
Note that women (local and foreign) are permitted to dive, although conservative beha-
viour is still sometimes expected, such as wearing loose clothing over your wetsuit until
just before you get into the water.
Even in winter, the water temperatures rarely drop too low (at the southern sites from
24°C to 26°C) though wetsuits of between 5mm to 6mm are advised in winter and 3mm to
4mm in summer. Saudi's greatest advantage is its visibility, which ranges from good to as-
tonishing (up to 35m to 40m is not uncommon). In general, there are few currents to con-
tend with.
More experienced divers prefer to boat-dive, particularly around Al-Lith, Yanbu and the
Farasan Islands, where the diving can be spectacular.
Diving Operators
Dream Divers (
Click here
)
has a great reputation locally and abroad and has offices in
Jed-
dah
( 02-234 0473;
www.dreamdiver.net
;
Corniche Rd, Dream Marina, South Obhur, Jeddah)
, Yanbu and Al-
Lith. Also recommended is
Desert Sea Divers
( 02-656 1807;
www.desertseadivers.com
;
Al-Kournaish
St, Jeddah)
. Both operators can arrange visas for diving holidays and both offer a live-
aboard diving boat.
