From Jeddah: Boat Trip and Diving for Certified Divers

The Red Sea starts just offshore. From Jeddah, this five-and-a-half-hour boat outing gives certified scuba divers two guided sessions around reefs, wrecks, and coral islands. I like the small maximum group of 10 and the fact that tanks, weight belts, snacks, and soft drinks are included.

I also like the chance to reach sites such as Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8 by boat rather than staying near shore. The main caution is important: you need logged scuba activity within the previous six months, or you may be limited to snorkeling. Equipment rental, organization, and safety standards also deserve close attention.

• Two boat-based scuba sessions: The trip includes two guided outings at reefs, wreck sites, or coral islands near Jeddah.
• Small group of up to 10: A limited number of participants should make it easier to stay near the guide.
• Several possible sites: Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8 may be used, depending on conditions and the day’s plan.
• Basic scuba items included: Tanks and weight belts come with the booking, while most personal equipment costs about 145 SAR to rent.
• Recent scuba experience required: If you have not logged a scuba session in the last six months, you may snorkel instead.
• Bring official identification: Keep your ID, passport, or visa with you during the boat ride.

Reaching Al-Haddad Scuba in Jeddah

The day begins at Al-Haddad Scuba in Jeddah. From there, you transfer to the yacht for the trip out to the Red Sea sites. The listed schedule allows about one hour for the outward boat journey, so this is not a quick harbor outing. You should expect a real half-day on the water.

The full activity lasts 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. That includes the boat ride, two one-hour scuba sessions, a break, a short breakfast period, and the return journey.

I would arrive ready to move, with your identification easy to reach. One useful practical tip is to carry your ID, passport, or visa on the boat. This was specifically important to one past participant, and it is the kind of small detail that can prevent trouble once you are away from shore.

The boat ride also forms a large part of the experience. If you enjoy being on the Red Sea, the transit time is part of the pleasure. If you want nearly continuous time underwater, keep your expectations in check. You are paying for access to offshore sites, not just minutes beneath the surface.

What Two Guided Sessions Really Include

The main program consists of two guided scuba sessions from the yacht. Each is listed at about one hour, with a break between them. The guide takes the group to a selected area, which may include a reef, wreck, or coral island.

The exact site is not guaranteed. Possible locations include Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8. That flexibility can be useful because the crew may choose an area suited to the day’s conditions, available time, and group needs. It also means you should not book this expecting one fixed wreck or one guaranteed reef.

For a certified diver, two sessions in one day offer a good amount of underwater time without turning the outing into an exhausting marathon. The small group limit of 10 is another plus. One recent outing had four scuba participants and six snorkelers, which created a fairly manageable boat atmosphere. The same account also described being the only boat at the sites, though that should be treated as a lucky possibility rather than a promise.

You may see coral and fish at the selected sites, and wreck locations add a different kind of interest. The available information does not promise particular species, visibility, depth, or current conditions, so I would avoid booking for one specific animal or underwater feature. The appeal is the range of possible Red Sea settings.

Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8

The named sites give you a useful sense of the trip’s character.

Anas Reef suggests a classic coral-focused outing, with the chance to look at reef structure and fish life. Duqais is another possible area, though no fixed details about its depth or layout are provided. These reef locations should appeal most to you if your priority is coral rather than a specific historical wreck.

Chicken Wreck offers the possibility of a wreck-centered session. Wrecks can add shape and orientation to an underwater visit, but the experience depends heavily on site conditions and the guide’s plan. You should not assume that the group will enter the wreck or that a penetration route is included.

Crazy 8 is also named as a possible stop, but the available details do not identify its exact features. Think of these names as a menu of areas the boat may visit, not as a fixed route.

The provider can send the boat to one area or another. That is normal for sea trips, but it makes the guide and crew especially important. You will want clear briefings about the site, the group plan, entry and exit procedures, and what to do if you become separated.

Equipment: What Comes With the Price

At $93 per person, the booking includes tanks and a weight belt. Snacks and soft drinks are also included, which is useful during a long morning or afternoon on the boat.

Most of the equipment you need is not included. BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins may cost about 145 SAR to rent. Nitrox tanks are also excluded. That rental charge can change the total cost significantly, especially if you arrive without your own kit.

I would ask about equipment availability before the activity date, rather than assuming every item will be waiting at the marina. One serious complaint described a day when key equipment was not available and no instructor was present. Another participant had a very different experience, receiving equipment in top condition and describing the operation as punctual and well organized.

That contrast is worth taking seriously. The experience has a strong overall rating of 4.2 from eight ratings, with several very positive accounts, but the negative reports raise practical questions about consistency. Confirm what is included, what is available to rent, and where the equipment will be handed over.

Bring your own change of clothes and towel. Food beyond the listed snacks and drinks is not included. The schedule contains a 15-minute breakfast period, but you should not assume a meal is supplied. Pack something suitable if you need more than a light snack.

The Boat Schedule, Step by Step

The first boat leg is listed at one hour. This is your chance to settle in, organize your gear, and listen for instructions. Keep your mask, personal medication, identification, and any small essentials where you can reach them.

The first scuba session lasts about one hour at a selected Jeddah-area site. The guide leads the activity, but you still need to manage your own certification limits, air use, comfort, and equipment checks. A guided session is not a substitute for basic self-management underwater.

After the first session, you have a one-hour break. This matters because two long sessions require time to rest, drink, eat, and prepare your equipment. The boat provides snacks and soft drinks, but bring extra food if you need a substantial meal.

The schedule then allows 15 minutes for breakfast. Since food is listed as not included, treat this as a short eating break rather than a catered meal. A simple packed breakfast is a sensible precaution.

The second scuba session also lasts about one hour. It may take place in the same general area or at another selected site. Conditions, boat timing, and the group’s needs can shape the final plan.

The return boat ride is listed at 80 minutes, longer than the outward journey. That gives you time to dry off, rest, and enjoy the ride back, but it also extends the total day. You return to Al-Haddad Scuba after the boat trip.

Guides, Group Size, and Safety

The advertised guide languages are Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian. That is helpful if you need instructions in one of those languages. The group is capped at 10 participants, although the mix may include both scuba participants and snorkelers.

Several accounts praised the staff as friendly, professional, punctual, and helpful. One especially positive account described a very small group, well-kept rented equipment, and a divemaster who worked hard to support the group. The same outing took place during Ramadan, yet snacks and drinks were still available.

At the same time, one account described a long delay at the center, missing equipment, no instructor, and unsafe organization. I would not ignore that report simply because other ratings were excellent. Scuba activities need dependable gear checks and clear supervision every time.

Before leaving shore, you should confirm:

• The name and qualifications of the guide leading your group
• The condition and availability of your BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins
• The planned sites and approximate depth limits
• The entry, exit, and buddy procedures
• What happens if your recent scuba history does not meet the six-month requirement

If the answers are unclear, pause before boarding. A pleasant boat ride is not worth accepting poor equipment or vague safety procedures.

The Six-Month Rule Matters

The activity is intended for certified scuba divers, but certification alone is not enough. You must have logged scuba sessions within the last six months of the activity date.

If you have not, the operator may refuse to let you take part in the boat scuba program and offer snorkeling instead. This is the single most important eligibility rule in the description.

One person who had not been underwater for a year expected a refresher session and the two planned boat sessions. Instead, the person reported being kept off the boat and charged an additional 155 SAR for a short shore refresher and two shore sessions. The account also said that only water was provided despite the advertised snacks and drinks.

This is a warning to contact the provider in advance if your logbook is not current. Do not rely on a last-minute explanation at the center. Ask exactly what counts as a logged session, whether a refresher is available, what it costs, and if a refresher allows you onto the boat.

Is $93 a Fair Price?

The $93 base price is reasonable for a five-and-a-half-hour Red Sea outing with two guided boat sessions, tanks, a weight belt, snacks, soft drinks, and transport by yacht to offshore sites.

The value becomes less clear when you add equipment rental. The listed rental estimate of about 145 SAR for a BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins can make the final total much higher. Nitrox costs extra as well.

If you own your equipment and have been active within the last six months, the price looks stronger. You get two planned sessions and access to several possible sites without arranging a private boat. If you need the full kit, compare the final price with other Jeddah operators before booking.

The small group helps the value. A maximum of 10 people is more appealing than a crowded boat, especially when you need help with gear or want a clearer briefing. Still, group size alone cannot guarantee personal attention, since snorkelers may share the boat.

The flexible cancellation policy adds some protection. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. That is useful if your schedule or sea plans are uncertain.

Who Should Book This Red Sea Outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to a certified scuba diver with recent logged sessions, personal equipment, and an interest in offshore reefs or wreck sites around Jeddah.

It also suits a mixed group. Scuba participants and snorkelers can share the yacht, so companions with different experience levels may still spend the day together. Snorkelers are specifically welcome, including first-timers, though the boat’s scuba sites and snorkeling areas may not always be identical.

I would be more cautious if you are returning to scuba after a long break, need a full equipment package, or expect a fixed named site. You need to settle those points before paying.

The experience may also suit you if you speak Arabic, English, Italian, or Russian and prefer a guided outing rather than arranging an independent boat. The guide-led format takes some planning work off your shoulders, while still leaving you responsible for your own certification and comfort.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you have logged scuba activity within the past six months, can confirm equipment in advance, and like the idea of two offshore sessions at changing Red Sea sites. The price is attractive for divers who bring their own kit, and the strongest accounts praise the punctual staff, small group, tidy equipment, and excellent coral and fish life.

I would contact Al-Haddad Scuba before booking if you need rentals, have not been underwater recently, or care strongly about safety procedures. Ask for written confirmation of the gear, refresher rules, guide coverage, and food arrangements.

The experience has real promise, but it depends on good preparation and consistent operations. Go in with your documents, a packed breakfast, spare clothes, and clear expectations, and you give yourself the best chance of enjoying Jeddah’s Red Sea sites.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. The schedule includes a one-hour outward boat ride, two one-hour scuba sessions, a one-hour break, a 15-minute breakfast period, and an 80-minute return journey.

What scuba equipment is included?

Tanks and a weight belt are included. A BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins are not included, but they may be rented for approximately 145 SAR. Nitrox tanks are also not included.

Do I need recent scuba experience?

Yes. You need logged scuba sessions within the six months before the activity date. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be restricted to snorkeling instead of taking part in the boat scuba sessions.

Are snacks and drinks provided?

Snacks and soft drinks are included. Food is not included, so bring your own meal or extra food if you need more than light refreshments. The schedule includes a 15-minute breakfast period.

How many people can join the trip?

The activity is limited to 10 participants. The group can include both scuba participants and snorkelers.

Which languages are available?

Guides are listed as speaking Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian.