A great beach day starts the night before. Pack well and you’ll spend less time worrying and more time floating in the Red Sea. Here’s our tried-and-tested list for a day at a Jeddah beach club, with notes on sun safety, modest swimwear and what most venues already provide.

Sun protection comes first

Jeddah’s sun is strong all year round, and in the warmer months the heat by the coast can feel intense by mid-morning. Treat sun protection as non-negotiable:

  • High-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen. Apply it before you leave home, then top up every two hours and after every swim. A reef-friendly formula helps protect the Red Sea’s coral.
  • A wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses with UV protection.
  • A UV swim top or rash vest, especially for children and anyone planning hours in the water.
  • A reusable water bottle. Sip regularly rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

Beat the heat

Plan the most active part of your day, such as swimming, padel or water sports, for the morning or late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day for shade, lunch and a slow dip in the pool.

Swimwear and cover-ups

Dress codes vary from venue to venue, so pack swimwear you feel comfortable in and dress respectfully when arriving, leaving and walking through restaurants or lounges. A few ideas:

  • A burkini, modest swimsuit or swim leggings with a long-sleeved swim top: comfortable, practical and excellent sun protection.
  • A light kaftan, abaya or linen shirt to slip on over your swimwear.
  • Sandals or water shoes, because the sand gets very hot by midday.

On ladies-only days you may feel comfortable in more relaxed swimwear, but each venue’s dress code still applies. If you’re unsure, just ask us when you book.

Sunloungers and white canopied cabanas lining a sandy beach beside the sea at Mangrove Beach Resort
Sunbeds and shade, ready and waiting at Mangrove Beach Resort.

What the venues provide

There’s no need to pack the whole house. Each beach page on Beach Pass lists its facilities and exactly what your pass includes, but as a guide:

  • Sunbeds are available at every venue we list, from premium sunbeds at Rixos Obhur Jeddah to VIP loungers at La Maison D’Obhur.
  • Showers are provided at all of our partner beaches, and most also have changing rooms.
  • Lockers are available at Le Pont de l’Amitié, La Maison D’Obhur, Mangrove Beach Resort and Kona Marine Sport Club.
  • Towels come with the complimentary towel service at Rixos Obhur Jeddah. Elsewhere, we recommend bringing your own.
  • Hair dryers are on hand at Rixos Obhur Jeddah and Le Pont de l’Amitié, which is handy if you’re heading out afterwards.
  • Free Wi-Fi is available at every venue, so you can share the view.
  • Food and drink are covered too: every venue has a restaurant, café or beach bar, so you can travel light.

Heading out afterwards?

If you’re meeting friends for dinner after the beach, pack a fresh outfit in a separate bag, along with a small towel for your hair. Venues with changing rooms and hair dryers make the switch from beach to evening easy, and a light moisturiser or after-sun will soothe skin that has spent the day in the salt and sun.

Your beach bag checklist

  • Sunscreen, after-sun and an SPF lip balm
  • Hat, sunglasses and a UV swim top
  • Swimwear plus a modest cover-up
  • Sandals or water shoes
  • A towel, if your venue doesn’t provide one
  • A refillable water bottle
  • A waterproof phone pouch
  • A small bag for wet swimwear
  • Hair ties, a comb and a few travel-size toiletries
  • Your booking reference, saved on your phone
  • Children’s swim gear, swim nappies and a few sand toys
  • A good book, and nowhere else to be

What to leave at home

Leave large amounts of cash, precious jewellery and anything you’d be upset to lose. If you do bring valuables, use the lockers where they’re provided, and keep your phone in a zipped bag away from sand and splashes.

Bringing a helper? Remember she’ll need her own maid pass, which you can add in seconds when you book your beach pass. All packed? Find your beach and enjoy the day.