Corniche Sea Temperature Today

Beaches

Along the northern part of the Jeddah Corniche, sheltered lagoon beaches with breakwaters, lifeguard posts and sandy shores have designated swimming areas, which suit families; swimwear and dress rules differ between public and private beaches, so check what applies. Further north, at Obhur, private beach clubs and resorts offer day passes, reef snorkelling and a more relaxed dress code. Coral reefs lie close to the shore along much of this coast, so reef shoes are useful. The sea temperature on this page is measured in the open sea off the northern Corniche.

Things to do

Al-Balad, the historic centre of Jeddah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has multi-storey houses of coral stone with carved wooden balconies, among them Nasseef House, and old souks. On the Corniche, the Al-Rahma Mosque stands on piles over the water, and King Fahd's Fountain sends a jet of seawater high above the sea, lit up at night. The Jeddah Waterfront has walking and cycling paths, play areas and cafés, busiest in the evening once the heat eases. The Fakieh Aquarium shows Red Sea marine life, and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit has hosted the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix; check the current calendar for race dates.

Weather and best time to visit

At Corniche the sea stays above 25 °C / 77 °F all year, even in the coolest month.

Jeddah is hot all year and humid on the coast. Summers, from about May to September, are very hot, and the most comfortable months are usually from November to March, when evenings on the Corniche are mild. Rain is rare, but short winter downpours can cause flooding.

Hotels and where to stay

The large hotels of Jeddah line the northern Corniche, close to the waterfront parks and beaches, while Al-Balad and the city centre have more business hotels; resorts with private beaches are further north at Obhur.

Signature hotels: Jeddah Hilton (Corniche Road, Al Shatiea) · Shangri-La Jeddah (Corniche Road, Ash Shati)

Airport and getting there

King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), north of the city, is about 20 to 30 minutes by car from the northern Corniche, and it has flights from across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Haramain high-speed railway links Jeddah with Mecca and Medina, but non-Muslims may not enter Mecca. The Corniche is long and spread out, so taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual way to get around. Many nationalities can apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa, so check current rules before travelling.