Waterfronts in Saudi Arabia

The Waterfronts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are tourist destinations along the eastern coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the western coasts of the Red Sea, stretching over a length of up to 3,400 km.

The coastal provinces of the Kingdom utilize the natural advantages of their seaside vistas for various tourist activities. Six of its provinces boast waterfronts within their governorates. These provinces are Makkah al-Mukarramah‏ and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah in the west, Jazan and Aseer in the south and southwest, Tabuk in the north and northwest, and the Eastern Province in the east of the Kingdom.

Makkah al-Mukarramah Province boasts several coastal areas along the Red Sea, providing distinctive tourist and recreational environments for residents and visitors alike. In Jeddah Governorate, notable among these coastal areas is the Jeddah Waterfront, 'currently known as the ROSHN Waterfront," featuring the Kingdom's largest waterfront promenade stretching over 4,500 km. It covers an area of 730,000 m² and has a capacity of accommodating approximately 120,000 individuals.

ROSHN Waterfront, 'formerly known as Jeddah Waterfront', is undergoing continuous development efforts following an agreement between ROSHN, the national real estate development company, and Rotana Star Neon Company in August 2022, to designate and sponsor the Jeddah Waterfront. The waterfront is one of Jeddah's most important landmarks that was redeveloped and reopened in 2017. It attracts around fifty-five million visitors annually and stretches along the Red Sea coast for four km. It consists of seven diverse recreational areas targeting families and children.

Jeddah Governorate also includes other waterfronts, such as: the Northern Corniche spanning 236,000 m², opened on December 18, 2012, the Central Corniche, stretching 3.6 km, opened on April 25, 2013, Dahaban Park covering 110,000 m² and 1,100 m long, opened on September 7, 2015, and al-Saif Beach spanning 252,000 m², opened on February 15, 2016. Additionally, al-Nawras Island on the Northern Corniche was developed to connect to the waterfront, measuring one thousand m in length and thirty to seventy m in width across an area of 52,240 m².

The Jeddah Province Municipality continues to develop waterfront projects, and it announced, in January 2021, the designs for the development project of the South Obhur Beachfront, which is one of the projects of Saudi Vision 2030, within the Humanized Cities initiative. The development area exceeds 180,000 m² in the South Obhur area and stretches over 2.8 km.

Al-Wasqah Waterfront in ash-Shawaq Center, forty km south of al-Lith Governorate, is considered one of the best tourist destinations on the Red Sea coast and in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province. It spans an area of ​​forty thousand m² and contributes to enhancing the tourism and investment potential in the center, the governorate, and Makkah al-Mukarramah Province as a whole, as well as improving the quality of life.

The waterfront in Thuwal is also witnessing continuous development as part of the Thuwal development project, the first phase of which was launched in 2010. It includes a fishermen's harbor with a capacity of 180 berths, another facility for leisure boats with a capacity of 120 vessels, and the northern corniche spanning an area of 385,000 m², connected to an island north of the site by a water channel. The Thuwal development project also features the southern corniche spanning an area of 85,000 m².

Al-Marjan Island on Dammam Waterfront. (Saudipedia)

The Eastern Province of the Kingdom boasts a coastline stretching seven hundred km along the Arabian Gulf, with numerous tourist sites along its beaches. The waterfront in Dammam was opened in 2007, and it is the longest waterfront in the Kingdom, spanning 4.5 km.

The waterfront facilities in Dammam include green spaces covering an area of 180,500 m², along with four multipurpose playgrounds. Additionally, there are walking tracks measuring 5,500 m in length, a running track spanning 4,100 m, and another designated for cycling covering 1,800 m. Furthermore, there is a train track measuring 2,950 m in length, as well as parking spaces spread over an area of ninety thousand m².

The eastern region's waterfront areas are witnessing further development and expansion. In Dammam's al-Saif neighborhood, the waterfront was inaugurated in June 2021, spanning a length of two thousand m. Also, the waterfront and corniche in al-Khafji Governorate are being developed, including a variety of children's play areas, shade structures covering an area of 950 m², rubber flooring tiles spanning 950 m², and precast concrete benches.

The waterfront in al-Khobar stands out as one of the key coastal attractions in the Eastern Province, featuring numerous recreational spots such as dancing fountains, restaurants, marinas for boat rentals, designated cycling paths, and expansive green areas and gardens. The city of al-Khobar is among the distinctive tourist destinations listed by the Saudi Tourism Authority, along with Dammam and al-Ahsa, among more than seventeen destinations in the "Saudi Winter" season for 2021.

The Eastern Province also includes the waterfront in al-Qatif Governorate, which attracts over eight thousand visitors daily and reaches more than fifteen thousand visitors during the weekend. The waterfronts are the largest tourist attractions in the governorate and include the waterfronts in Saihat, Dareen, Sanabis, and al-Zour. These waterfronts offer all the necessary services.

Aseer Province includes several waterfronts along the Red Sea coast, attracting a significant number of tourists. The average number of visitors to the Aseer waterfront during holidays and official vacations exceeds fifty thousand visitors. Its area is estimated at around 1.12 million m², with over eighty beach seats set up. Additionally, areas for children's play, a seaside promenade stretching along the waterfront with a width of twenty m, and green spaces covering an area of ​​over two hundred thousand m² have been prepared.

Aseer waterfront, near al-Shuqaiq center, includes several facilities. Five sites have been prepared for fast food outlets, in addition to a children's play area covering 3,500 m². Another area for entertainment events spans five hundred m². The waterfront hosts various health, awareness, and educational initiatives, in addition to a community partnership aimed at establishing and equipping premises to support productive families.

Continuing the development of waterfront projects in the province, in January 2020, the inauguration of al-Haridhah Waterfront Project took place. The first phase of this project was launched in January 2012. It extends westward along the Red Sea coast between the borders of Makkah al-Mukarramah Province to the north and the borders of Jazan Province to the south, covering a length of 140 km.

In December 2021, al-Birk Waterfront Project in al-Bahah Province, west Aseer Province, was inaugurated. It covers an area estimated at around 35,000 m². The waterfront has been equipped with dedicated recreational areas for children, as well as a bike path measuring 340 m in length and a pedestrian walkway of the same length. The green spaces cover an area of over nine thousand m².

Jazan Province has capitalized on its geographical location along the Red Sea by establishing distinctive tourism infrastructure through the adoption of several waterfronts, including: the Northern Waterfront in front of al-Muhammadiyyah district, the Main Waterfront opposite the investment zone, the waterfront located in front of the current municipality building on the southern corniche, and the Southern Waterfront in front of Marjan Island.

Taking advantage of its view of the Red Sea coast, the Municipality of Jazan Province has implemented the waterfronts project in Jazan City to develop the coastal strip and beaches. The main waterfront in the central area of ​​Jazan City has become an important destination for all segments of society on a daily basis, especially for enthusiasts and practitioners of walking exercise. ‏ ‏

The waterfront in al-Sehi Center, located in Samitah Governorate in Jazan Province, witnesses a significant influx of picnickers and visitors to the area. It offers all the environmental, economic, investment, and tourism elements. It was established on an area of ​​approximately 154,000 m², with over fifty thousand m² allocated for green spaces.

The waterfront in Yanbu Industrial City has become a destination for tourists to enjoy unique views of the Red Sea. Stretching over eleven km, it features several facilities and parks including an open-air theater, a youth beach, and other amenities that align with the quality of life program and the development of the entertainment and tourism industry.

The Coastal Corniche of al-Wajh in Tabuk Province. (Saudipedia)

Tabuk Province boasts several distinctive waterfronts, including the Sharm al-Jazi Beach in Duba Governorate, which is known for its calm waves and clear waters. At al-Muwaileh Beach, coral reefs and diverse marine life gather in the heart of the sea, while the waterfront of al-Wajh Corniche features green spaces, children's playgrounds, and pathways for walking and jogging. It also embraces the clear crystal waters and colorful coral reefs of the white sand beach, teeming with marine life.

The waterfront at al-Duqm Tourist Beach in Ummlujj Governorate stands out for its combination of sand hills and coral reefs. There are also beaches like 'Sharm Za'em' and 'al-Durur,' known for their abundance of rocks and coral reefs. Additionally, there's the 'Hawaz' beach north of al-Wajh City. In the south of the governorate, 'al-Masdood' beach is notable for the variety of colors in its seawater. Other beaches include Anter, Um Anam, al-Sayeh, al-Nakheera, and Um at-Tain.

Duba Governorate is home to several beaches that are attractive maritime destinations, including al-Sajda Beach, Sharmah, al-Surah, al-Khuraybah, Qiyal, and Al-Sheikh Hamid. Al-Bad' Governorate, located approximately two hundred km away from Duba City, encompasses the center of Muqna, renowned for its beaches nestled alongside a series of mountains.