Time for another Wanderlust in Saudi Arabia post! Let’s discover some of the lesser known areas in Saudi Arabia.
Who knew Saudi Arabia has such beautiful beaches? This beach and shipwreck is located 55km south from Haql city in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Province. The place is in natural state, meaning there are no hotels, restaurants or facilities nearby. Just a half-sunken ship and a beach all to yourself!
What a stunning backdrop and contrast the majestic mountains provide in the background of this beach scene. The mysterious sunken ship makes the landscape at this beach look almost other-worldly. On the other side of the Gulf of Aqaba you can see the mountains of Sinai in the distance.
The site is called is Al Bakhera site or ‘Al Mashee Well’ according to the Saudi Tourism authority signpost there. The shipwreck is a Greek vessel that sank there two decades ago. We stopped by this pristine beach with the most crystal clear deep turquoise water for a quick swim on our road trip to Jordan from Riyadh. The water was warm and we could have spent the whole day there relaxing if we had time. I would recommend to bring your own sun shade though!
To reach this beach by road from Riyadh one would have to drive approximately 1500km one way. We made overnight stops along the way though, there’s no way the drive is doable in one go with two small kids. You will find more images from our road trip with the hashtag #saudiroadtrip on my Instagram and Facebook.
This shipwreck is located on a large half-moon shaped bay and only accessible via the road from Haql direction. The entire area around Haql is pretty much endless wild beach coastline, there’s not much development going on outside the city. There’s a few hotels and holiday rentals called “isteraha” by the beach inside Haql city.
The area around the shipwreck would make a really nice camping site. Maybe on our next trip there we’ll spend more time just relaxing on the beach. Spending the night there under the stars would be an unforgettable experience for my little explorers!
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For more lesser known travel destinations inside KSA, check out the previous Wanderlust in Saudi Arabia post– also from Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Province: Ancient Haddaj Well in Tayma
Wanderlust destination: Crown Jewels of Saudi Arabia: Farasan Islands
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Hello there! I’m Laura, the founder of Blue Abaya- the first travel blog in Saudi Arabia, established in 2010. Travel has always been my passion- so far I’ve visited 75 countries and I’m always on the lookout for new adventures inside and outside of Saudi Arabia! Follow my adventures in Saudi and beyond on instagram: instagram.com/blueabaya
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This looks wonderful, I wonder how long it would take from Jeddah stopping at Yanbu etc. We are hoping to get a car soon but will be limited by having just the one of us being able to drive. I think a night camping out there would be very special. Thanks for linking to #TravelAtHome
Hi iv gone through your blogs and other travel informatio.you have describe yor travel experience so nicely while reading I felt as if I’m travelling with you. I need your help to guide me site seeing in Abba area.my two daughters ,husband and me are here for fifteen days from Riyadh. Is there a city tour with guide?
Regards and thanks.
Hi there thank you Sadhna! You can check my post on Abha for ideas!
http://www.blueabaya.com/2013/05/top-ten-things-to-do-in-and-around-abha.html
Loving ur posts! Thank you for ur dedication to providing us with such great info!
Thank you Farah! Happy to hear your feedback :)
[…] WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY KSA: HAQL SHIPWRECK BEACH (blueabaya.com) […]
[…] -explore the mostly untouched Saudi side of the Red sea coast. Want to start start scuba-diving? Blue Reef divers 014644134 (in my opinion the best operator in KSA) has courses running all year round. The lectures and pool training are in Riyadh, and open water training will take a weekend in Jeddah. The Red Sea is full of amazing underwater life! Top diving spots in KSA: Yanbu, Al Lith, Farasan Islands, Farasan Banks, Haql Shipwreck. […]
Hello, looks like great place to visit! Do you know if we women could swim there? I mean I know it not allowed officially in Saudi, but in practice, I guess if there is nobody at the place I guess a women could risk a quick swim in bikini? :)
Hi!
I wouldn´t recommend the risk to swim in bikini even if nobody is there it´s culturally so unacceptable that it´s not worth it in that public place. Many people go diving there and they wear diving suits. So a t shirt and shorts perhaps would be better :)
lovely posts ,Laura