If you’re looking for an adventure by the sea, driving from Jeddah to Obhur is a must-try. This Jeddah coastal road trip is a great way to experience Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea in just one day. You’ll pass beaches, parks, and cafes. For visitors, renting a car in Jeddah is a practical way to experience the route. The journey is relaxing and easy to follow, and this guide will walk you through everything you need for a smooth and scenic trip.
The coastal drive from Jeddah to Obhur covers roughly 30 kilometres of beautiful shoreline and usually takes about 30 minutes by car in normal traffic. The main route follows the sea along Corniche Road, also known as Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Street, so you are almost always in sight of the blue water. This scenic coastal road is special because it is part of the experience rather than just a commute.
Instead of busy city highways, you drive beside parks, sculptures, and the open sea. Jeddah’s Corniche is a well-known coastal resort area with recreation spaces and public art, including the world’s tallest fountain.
Many people prefer early morning, when the air is cooler, traffic is light, and the sea is calm. Morning light provides clear views, and you might spot fishermen or birds along the shore. Evening is another great time, as a sunset drive offers classic Red Sea scenery with the sky turning orange and pink over the water. Sunset is particularly memorable here, and it is a popular time for locals to cruise the Corniche or enjoy a seaside picnic.
In terms of seasons, winter and spring, from November to April, are the most comfortable months to be outdoors in Jeddah. During this period, the weather is warm but not overwhelming, ideal for beach walks. In peak summer, the heat in the middle of the day can be intense, so early mornings or late afternoons are best if you visit from June to August.
Your coastal drive begins at the Jeddah Corniche. There are multiple entry points to the Corniche. For example, you might start near the Jeddah Waterfront area in the city’s Al Hamra district, where plenty of parking is available. Landscaped parks, walking paths, and playgrounds line the route, all with the sea on one side.
The Jeddah Corniche is filled with landmarks, so consider stopping or slowing down to appreciate a few highlights. One unmissable sight is King Fahd’s Fountain, which shoots water up to 312 metres high and is visible from miles away. It’s the tallest fountain in the world, and in the evening it’s illuminated.
As you drive north, you’ll pass the modern Jeddah Waterfront promenade area, which features wide walking paths, gardens, and even outdoor art sculptures. Jeddah is known as an open-air art museum. Along the Corniche, you’ll spot large-scale public art installations, including sculptures of dolphins, abstract shapes, and historical figures dotting the parks.
These pieces add character to the drive, and you might choose to park and take a closer look or take some photos. Another key attraction is the beautiful white Al-Rahma Mosque, often nicknamed the “Floating Mosque” for sitting on stilts over the water. This mosque is located toward the north end of the Corniche and is a popular stop for visitors due to its unique architecture and serene sea backdrop.
As you leave central Jeddah and continue north along the coast, the scenery transitions to more open shoreline and fewer high-rises. Keep an eye out for viewpoints or any spot where you can safely park to enjoy the panorama. There are several small lay-by areas and parking bays beside the road as you approach Obhur.
For example, you might find a sandy patch of public beach or a pier where fishermen are casting lines. These stops let you stretch your legs and really soak in the Red Sea views in Saudi Arabia. The water here is typically calm and brilliantly blue, especially in good weather. It’s common to see boats leisurely cruising or even the outline of a jet ski zipping by.
The Jeddah-Obhur coast is blessed with several beaches, ranging from open public strands to exclusive private spots. Public-access beaches are available, and one popular choice is Alexandria Beach, just north of Sharm Obhur (Obhur Bay). It’s open to all visitors and offers activities like swimming, fishing, and even water sports and diving in the Red Sea. Being a free-entry beach, it’s a great place for a spontaneous dip or to watch local families enjoy the sea.
As you continue, you’ll also notice signs for private beach clubs. One of the most well-known is Silver Sands Beach, a private beach club north of Obhur that’s famous for its pristine white sand and coral-rich waters. Silver Sands has an entry fee, but inside you’ll find clean facilities, sunbeds, and parasols. The coral reefs just off its shore give snorkellers a wonderful experience, with thriving marine life.
Aside from these, there are other resort beaches, further up the coast. It’s a large seaside resort village that features villas, a marina, and plenty of water activities.
As you approach Obhur, the city scenery gradually gives way to a calmer, resort-stle setting. Obhur, often referred to as Sharm Obhur or Obhur Creek, is a wide inlet of the Red Sea located about 30 kilometres north of central Jeddah. It has become a popular retreat for those seeking a peaceful coastal escape close to the city.
On arrival, the noise and pace of Jeddah are left behind, replaced by calm turquoise water, sandy shores, and roads lined with palm trees. Obhur is widely known as Jeddah’s seaside getaway. The water here is calm and clear, more like a sheltered lagoon than an open beach. This makes it well-suited to swimming and boating.
The coastline features private villas, resort compounds, and several public access points where you can reach the water directly. Depending on your route, you may cross a small bridge or causeway as you enter Obhur, offering attractive views across the inlet on both sides. It creates a welcoming first impression and reinforces the feeling that you have moved from an urban drive into a holiday environment.
Obhur Beach extends for about 11 kilometres along the inlet and remains one of the city’s best-known leisure areas, carefully maintained by local authorities. As you drive through, you're likely to see people jet skiing or families enjoying barbecues by the water.
Obhur’s coral-rich Red Sea coastline and relaxed atmosphere set it apart from other areas of Jeddah. One of the first things you notice is the water's clarity. From a pier or shallow shoreline, it is common to see small fish swimming below the surface. This is due to coral reefs near the creek's entrance.
The calm, clear water also makes the area ideal for swimming and boating. As the creek is sheltered, waves are usually gentle, and conditions feel safer than on open beaches. Another feature that distinguishes Obhur is the presence of exclusive resorts and beach properties. Along the coast, several high-end resorts and private beach clubs offer a more refined beach experience with privacy, clean facilities, private beaches or small marinas.
While the waterfront in central Jeddah is public and can get crowded, Obhur offers a quieter setting for visitors. It is known for being less busy and less hectic than city beaches, partly because its location naturally limits heavy traffic.
Obhur is commonly divided into two sides of the creek: Obhur South (Janubiyah) and Obhur North (Shamaliyah). As you arrive, it’s useful to know which side might interest you more.
This is the side closer to Jeddah city. South Obhur has a more local, laid-back coastal vibe. You’ll find public beaches and residential areas here. For example, there are open beaches in Obhur South where anyone can swim or picnic. The Jeddah Waterfront extension in Obhur South, also known as Obhur Corniche, has been improved for public use, so you might see families enjoying the new promenade there.
South Obhur also has popular restaurants and cafes frequented by locals. Because it’s more developed for public access, Obhur South can be busier on weekends and holidays. It’s an active area, where you might hear music from a picnic or see kids playing beach soccer.
Across the water, Obhur North is known for being quieter and more upscale. This side is home to luxury villas, private resorts, and organised beach clubs, making it a preferred area for Jeddah’s affluent families and expatriate compounds with weekend homes or private beach access. Many beaches in North Obhur are owned by resorts or private properties, which contributes to the area's calm, exclusive atmosphere.
The area has streets bordered by high walls and carefully designed properties. Beaches in North Obhur are often cleaner, and the water tends to be especially calm due to the careful upkeep of private facilities. If you are looking for a quiet, resort-stle experience, North Obhur is an excellent choice. Access is more limited, as most beaches require a resort stay, a day pass, or an invitation as a member or guest of a beach club.
One advantage of this controlled access is the lack of overcrowding. Even at weekends, it is possible to enjoy a largely empty stretch of sand. North Obhur is also seeing ongoing development, with stylish beachfront restaurants and new leisure projects expected.
Now that you’ve arrived in Obhur, what can you actually do here? The good news is that Obhur is all about leisure and fun by the water, so there’s plenty to fill your time. Below are some of the best activities and attractions in Obhur.
One of Obhur’s main attractions is its range of beach resorts and private beach clubs. If you want to relax in comfort, spending the day at a resort-stle beach is a popular option. Many resorts in Obhur offer day passes for a fee, which usually include access to private beaches, swimming pools, and comfortable lounge areas. This creates a relaxed experience with clean sun loungers, attentive service, and sometimes spa facilities.
These resort settings often feel like self-contained leisure spaces, with amenities such as cafés, restaurants, and easy access to large beachfront areas. Even without travelling far, Obhur offers several private beach areas where visitors can enjoy a more organised, peaceful environment. A typical day at one of these places lets you swim in clearly marked, safe zones, use simple water equipment such as kayaks, and use showers and changing rooms.
Beach clubs in Obhur offer a similar experience, particularly on the northern side, where many cater to families, while others offer specific days for women. The main advantages of these venues are privacy and cleanliness. Guest numbers are controlled to keep beaches uncrowded, and staff maintain a safe, tidy setting. For solo travellers or couples seeking a quiet retreat, this can be worth the extra cost.
For those seeking more excitement, Obhur offers plenty of options on the water. One popular activity is renting a boat or a yacht for a short cruise. Along the shoreline, particularly on the northern side, small yachts and speedboats are available with a captain, allowing you to explore thefami for 1 to 2 hours and enjoy views of Jeddah’s coastline. Some outings also take place around sunset.
Jet skis are also widely available. On weekends, it is common to see riders gliding across the creek's calm waters. Rentals are often offered in short time slots, such as 30 minutes. For those interested in marine life, snorkelling and diving are also popular activities. The Red Sea is famous for its coral reefs, and Obhur’s clear water makes it an accessible place to explore underwater. Some private operators provide equipment and guidance to nearby reef areas.
For certified SCUBA divers, organised trips from Jeddah often include boat dives to reefs slightly offshore. If you prefer to stay above the surface, kayaking and paddleboarding are alternatives. The sheltered waters suit paddlers well, and equipment is sometimes available through beachfront facilities. Group activities such as inflatable rides are also common and ideal for families.
The drive from Jeddah to Obhur is more than just a route; it's an experience. You start with the lively Jeddah Corniche, admiring city landmarks and feeling the vibrant coastal culture, and you end up in Obhur, a tranquil seaside haven that captures the Red Sea’s charm. This road trip is absolutely worth doing because it packs so many highlights into a short distance.
Renting a car in Jeddah with Final Rentals is the easiest and most flexible way to enjoy this journey. With Final Rentals, booking a car online is fast and simple. Select King Abdulaziz International Airport as your pickup location, enter your travel dates, and choose a vehicle for your trip. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
