Your guide to the best water sports fun in Jeddah
Sponsored: From exploring diverse coral life to waterskiing on a private island, Jeddah offers it all
It covers 72 per cent of the planet’s surface, it influences climate and weather patterns, but we think the ocean is best for adrenaline-fuelled water sports adventures. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best water sports in Jeddah.
Scuba Diving
The Red Sea is one of the best places on the planet to scuba dive. Not only is there a plethora of unspoiled corals to see, and shipwrecks to explore, the temperature of the water never really gets too chilly, while visibility underwater is some of the world’s best. Jeddah is the most accessible way to get into scuba diving in the Red Sea and this has resulted in over a dozen scuba diving schools and equipment stores in the city. One of our favourite dives is at Sharm Obhur, just a short drive out of Jeddah, and you direclty access the dive site from the shore. Expect turtles, clownfish, eels, all sorts of other colourful fish. The dive site is just offshore from the Bhadur Resort and can be best accessed via the Blue Reef Divers base.
Get the right gear from Decathlon: Glide underwater with the powerful diving fins, ideal for scuba diving at all levels, and complete the look with a frameless mask.
Waterskiing and family-friendly water sports
A lot of hotels near the coast in Jeddah have their own private beaches with water sports facilities. They are usually the least busy of beaches around and especially accessible if you are staying at one of the hotels. Mövenpick Jeddah Al Nawras, for instance, is located on a private island near the corniche and is a great place for a lot of water activities such as waterskiing, tubing and other family-friendly watersports.
Get the right gear from Decathlon: Shop the latest swimwear options for men, women and children.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is a water sport that blends elements and characteristics of wakeboarding, surfing, windsurfing, snowboarding, paragliding, and skateboarding. Harnessed to a large hand-controlled kite and powered by the wind, the kiteboarder uses a board (similar to a snowboard, wakeboard, or skateboard) to ride and glide across the water. Thanks to consistent winds, warm weather and readable waves, the Red Sea is an ideal place to give it a go. You can sign up for lessons at Super Kite Day.
Get the right gear from Decathlon: Stay protected from the sun with a UV-resistant short-sleeved T-shirt. Also available for kids.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a low effort water sport that requires paddling using a double-bladed oar and a small boat. It’s brilliant, because just about everyone can give it a go and enjoy it. Whether you want to make a day out of it with friends or family or just get away from it all on your own, kayaking can be a calming way to enjoy the sea. Jeddah Kayak at Marine Canal and Pure Beach at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is a calm spot to pick up a kayak and rent it by the hour. Its transparent kayaks are particularly special because it lets you look below the ocean’s surface without getting water up your nose. Alternatively, you can buy your very own kayak from Decathlon and explore the waters at your leisure.
Get the right gear from Decathlon: Carry your belongings and protect them from splashes of water or brief immersion with this cool 30l dry bag; Wear these 100 per cent UV protected, fully-floating sunglasses; or go big and buy your own two-man inflatable kayak.
Decathlon stores are located in Al Hamra Mall (Riyadh), The View Riyadh (coming soon) and Mall of Arabia (Jeddah). Check out more water sports essentials at en.decathlon.com.sa, and follow instagram.com/DecathlonKSA and facebook.com/DecathlonKsa