From Jeddah: Boat Trip and Diving for Certified Divers

Jeddah’s Red Sea coast is the real attraction here. You leave the marina by yacht, reach offshore reefs or wreck sites, and make two guided scuba sessions in one day. The small maximum group of 10 is a good fit if you want more personal attention than a crowded boat can offer.

I like the practical setup: tanks and weight belts are included, and snacks and soft drinks are provided on board. I also like the range of possible sites, from coral reefs to Chicken Wreck, plus the chance to share the boat with snorkelers while keeping the scuba program focused. The main caution is recent-dive policy. If you have not logged a scuba session within the last six months, you may be limited to snorkeling instead.

Key points to know before you book

• Two offshore scuba sessions: The yacht reaches reef, wreck, or coral island sites around Jeddah.
• Small boat group: The maximum is 10 participants, which can make equipment checks and guide contact easier.
• Tanks and weights included: You pay extra for the main personal equipment, including a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins.
• Recent experience is required: No logged scuba sessions within six months means you will not be permitted to scuba on this activity.
• Possible sites include Chicken Wreck: Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8 are among the areas listed.
• Bring official identification: Keep your ID, passport, or visa with you during the boat ride.

Leaving Al-Haddad Scuba for a five-and-a-half-hour day

You begin at Al-Haddad Scuba, the listed meeting point for the activity provider, Haddad Scuba. The total outing lasts 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. The schedule includes about one hour to reach the first area, two one-hour scuba sessions, a one-hour break, a 15-minute breakfast stop, and about 80 minutes for the return boat ride.

That timing makes this a full morning or half-day commitment rather than a quick shore outing. I would leave room in your schedule after the boat returns, since sea conditions, loading gear, and moving between sites can affect the pace.

The boat is the heart of the trip. You are not simply walking into the water from the beach. The yacht takes you to offshore reefs, wreck sites, or coral islands, where the scenery and marine life can be different from the near-shore water around Jeddah.

One practical point matters before you even leave the marina: carry your official ID, passport, or visa. This was specifically useful advice from a recent participant, and it is the sort of small detail that can prevent trouble during a boat trip.

The first hour on the yacht

The initial yacht ride lasts about an hour. This is travel time, not a scuba session, but it gives you time to settle in, check your equipment, and listen to the guide’s instructions.

The group can include both scuba participants and snorkelers. A recent boat arrangement had four scuba participants and six snorkelers, a very manageable size for a maximum group of 10. That mix can work well for couples or groups with different interests. Snorkelers get their own day on the Red Sea, while certified scuba participants can visit deeper or more specialized sites when the plan allows.

The exact destination is not fixed. The possible areas include Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, Crazy 8, and other locations. That flexibility is useful because the best site can depend on conditions and the day’s operating plan. It also means you should not book expecting one guaranteed wreck or reef.

What the first scuba session offers

The first scuba session lasts about one hour at an area identified in the schedule by the map reference MWGM+G3 in Jeddah. The description allows for reefs, wreck sites, or coral islands, so the character of the session can change from one departure to another.

At a reef, you might spend your time following coral formations and looking for fish among the structure. At a wreck, the interest comes from the shape of the site and the way marine life uses it. At a coral island, the appeal is the open setting and the feeling of being away from the city shoreline.

The guides lead the sessions, and the activity is offered in Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian. That language range is useful when you need a clear briefing about entry procedures, buddy arrangements, equipment, and the plan for returning to the boat.

I would pay close attention during that briefing. Boat scuba requires you to be ready at the right time, keep track of your equipment, and follow the guide’s instructions around entries and exits. The one-hour session is long enough to be worthwhile, but it is not a private lesson or a full refresher course.

The one-hour surface break and short breakfast stop

After the first session, the schedule allows one hour for a break. This is valuable because two boat sessions can be tiring, especially in warm weather. You can rest, drink, check your gear, and prepare for the second outing rather than rushing straight back into the water.

A 15-minute breakfast stop is also listed. Food is not included in the inclusions section, which specifically names snacks and drinks. I would ask the operator before departure what the breakfast stop includes, and bring any food you need rather than assuming a full meal will be supplied.

Snacks and soft drinks are included on board. One recent account praised the availability of drinks and snacks during Ramadan, while another person reported receiving only water after asking for it. That difference is worth noting. The stated inclusion is clear, but the actual service may vary, so bring a small backup snack if you need something specific.

The second one-hour session

The second scuba session follows the break and also lasts about an hour. For many people, this is where the value of the trip becomes clearer. You get two chances to see the Red Sea rather than paying for a long boat ride followed by one short session.

The two sites may offer different settings, although the exact combination is not promised. If the first location is a reef, the second might be another reef, a wreck, or a nearby coral area. Ask the guide what is planned once you arrive. That simple question can help you set expectations and understand how the day is being shaped around conditions.

This is a guided activity, but the description does not promise private supervision for every person. Your comfort and independence should match the requirements of a certified scuba outing. If you have recently completed your training but have little recent practice, you should contact the center before booking rather than relying on the boat day as a refresher lesson.

The six-month rule deserves serious attention

The most important booking condition is the recent-activity rule. If you have not logged a scuba session within the six months before the activity date, you will not be allowed to scuba and will instead take part as a snorkeler.

That condition is stricter than some casual visitors may expect. One person booked after about a year away from scuba and was not taken on the planned boat scuba outing. The person described being offered a short shore refresher at an extra charge of 155 SAR instead. The account also raised concerns about communication and refreshments.

You should treat that as a warning to confirm your status in writing before paying or traveling to the meeting point. Ask the center exactly what counts as a logged session and what happens if you fall outside the six-month window. Do not assume a certification card alone will be enough.

This rule can protect both you and the operator, but it should be clear before the day begins. If you are not current, snorkeling may still be enjoyable, but it is not the same product as two guided boat scuba sessions.

Equipment, rental costs, and what you need to pack

Tanks and weight belts are included for scuba participants. The main personal equipment is not included: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins cost approximately 145 SAR to rent.

At the listed price of $93 per person, the trip offers fair value if you own the main equipment or already have it available. If you rent the full set, your real cost rises considerably. I would compare the final total with other Jeddah boat options before booking, especially if you are traveling with several people.

The equipment situation deserves a careful check. One recent participant reported that a full rental set was in excellent condition. Another person reported arriving to find no wetsuit, regulator, or other equipment ready, along with concerns about the lack of an instructor. Those accounts conflict sharply.

That does not prove every departure has a problem, but it does mean you should confirm gear availability before the activity date. Ask specifically for the sizes and items you need. Do not assume that saying you need rental equipment guarantees a complete set will be waiting at the marina.

Nitrox tanks are not included. If you prefer or require nitrox, ask about availability and price before booking. You also need to bring a change of clothes and a towel, since both are excluded.

Coral reefs, wrecks, and the appeal of Jeddah’s coast

The Red Sea is the reason to choose this outing. The available sites can include coral reefs, wrecks, and coral islands, giving the day more variety than a single shore location.

A recent February departure was described as having intact coral, fish, and sites with no other boat present at the time. That kind of quiet setting is possible at offshore locations and is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat trip. Conditions and traffic can change, so you should see this as a possibility rather than a guarantee.

Chicken Wreck is the most distinctive name in the site list. Wrecks give you a different subject to explore than a standard reef, although the details of the site, depth, and permitted route are not provided. Ask your guide whether the wreck is planned for your date and what experience level it suits.

Anas Reef, Duqais, and Crazy 8 add more choice. Since the operator can head to one area or another, the final site selection is likely made according to the day’s plan. The lack of a fixed route is a small trade-off for having several possible locations.

Guide support and group size

The activity includes a live guide, with Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian listed as available languages. A small group of up to 10 people is a real advantage on a boat. You spend less time waiting for a large crowd and have a better chance of getting a clear answer when you need help.

Several recent accounts praised the staff as professional, friendly, punctual, and helpful. One person specifically described the operation as smooth and well organized, while another said the divemaster worked hard and did a very good job. These are the strongest positive themes, along with the condition of rented equipment on that particular departure.

At the same time, one account described a delayed start, missing equipment, and no instructor present. Because safety is central to scuba, I would not ignore that report. Before entering the water, make sure you know who is leading the session, how the group will stay together, and what emergency arrangements are in place.

If the briefing feels rushed or the gear does not appear ready, speak up. A low price or a beautiful site is not a reason to accept unclear safety procedures.

Is $93 a fair price?

The $93 starting price is reasonable for a five-and-a-half-hour boat outing with two guided scuba sessions, tanks, weight belts, snacks, and drinks. The small group limit improves the value, particularly if the boat is not crowded and the guide gives the group proper attention.

The calculation changes if you need all the rental equipment. Adding approximately 145 SAR for a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins makes this a more expensive day. Nitrox costs extra as well, and food beyond the supplied snacks and drinks is not included.

I see the price as best for certified scuba participants who already own some equipment, have logged a session within the past six months, and want access to offshore sites. It is less attractive for someone returning after a long break, since the recent-activity rule could change the plan or create extra costs.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Still, I would use that flexibility only after confirming the recent-activity rule and rental gear.

Who should book this Red Sea outing?

I would recommend it to a current certified scuba participant who wants two boat sessions, a small group, and a choice of reefs or wreck areas around Jeddah. It also suits a mixed group, since snorkelers can join the same yacht.

It is a sensible choice for people who value a guided outing rather than arranging a private boat. The language options and included tanks and weights also make the setup easier for international visitors.

I would be cautious if you have not been in the water recently, need a full refresher, or expect a fully supplied rental kit without checking first. This is not presented as a training course. It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed visit to one named site, since the destination can change.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you are current, properly equipped or have confirmed your rental set, and want two guided sessions at Red Sea sites beyond the shore. The strongest reasons are the small group, possible reef and wreck locations, included tanks and weights, and the positive reports about punctual staff, good equipment, and pleasant guiding.

Before paying, contact Haddad Scuba with three direct questions: Is my recent scuba log acceptable? Will my full rental equipment be ready in my sizes? Who will lead the sessions on the day? If the answers are clear, the $93 price is attractive. If you have been out of the water for a year or more, choose snorkeling only if you are happy with that change, or arrange a proper refresher separately.

FAQ

How long does the Jeddah boat trip last?

The activity lasts 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. The schedule includes a one-hour yacht ride to the area, two one-hour scuba sessions, a one-hour break, a 15-minute breakfast stop, and an 80-minute return ride.

What scuba equipment is included?

Tanks and weight belts are included. A BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins are not included and cost approximately 145 SAR to rent.

Can I join if I have not scuba dived recently?

You must have logged scuba sessions within the six months before the activity date to take part in the boat scuba program. If you do not meet that condition, you will take part as a snorkeler instead.

Which sites might the boat visit?

Possible areas include Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, Crazy 8, other wreck sites, coral reefs, and coral islands. The exact destination is not fixed.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and soft drinks are included. Food is listed as not included, and the breakfast stop lasts 15 minutes, so confirm what will be provided and bring any additional food you need.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is listed in Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian.