Diving in La Plage Jeddah
Are you trying to scuba dive in Jeddah but unsure where or how to begin? This post is part of our "Diving in Saudi Arabia" series, focusing on the popular La Plage Resort dive site.
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Resort OverviewHow to accessDive Site TopographyMarine LifeSummary
Resort Overview
La Plage Resort, a private, shore-accessible site, is just a 30-minute drive from Jeddah's city center. Since it’s private, entry requires membership or coordination through a Jeddah dive center approved by the Saudi Water Sports & Diving Federation.
You just arrived?
Upon arrival, check in with the security guard, who will confirm your and your instructor's names. You’ll then wait for Nomaan, the resort driver, to take you to the divers’ area, as the beach access is exclusive to annual members. Trying to bypass these areas may lead to being blacklisted.
In the divers’ section, you’ll notice circular tables where divers gather in groups. On the right is a fully equipped dive shop managed by Hamza, and a small cafeteria with refreshments prepared by Chef Marina. Restrooms and an open shower are available on-site, but note that there are no changing rooms, so plan accordingly for changing in wet areas!
Dive Site Topography
Isometric view mapped by tribe member, Arch. Maram Dohaithem
Entry & exit point
The only water entry point is a 3-meter-high stair platform, where you can put on fins at the water's edge and do a giant stride entry or walk down gradually, depending on the tide level. For divers with full-foot fins, there’s a carpeted side on the ladder to make the descent more comfortable.
North or South?
If you dive to the north, you’ll first encounter a natural platform of sand and coral that stretches horizontally for around 270 meters from the entry point. Along the way, you’ll pass metal wreckage left by strong waves from previous years. The reef structure then changes as you reach a rocky formation resembling an underwater mountain, rising from a depth of 3 meters to 40 meters and spanning about 30 meters wide. Beyond it, scattered corals reappear, leading to a small, colorful “coral room” accessible through a crack in the reef at 5 meters. This is an ideal turnaround point, as most divers will be at around 100 bar of air by this stage.
The southern part of the reef is ideal for deeper dives, but the shallow waters are equally captivating. First, you'll come across the training platform at 8 meters, where instructors are often working with students. If you stay shallow, you’ll pass the platform to a sandy bottom stretching about 30 meters, leading to scattered reef formations up to 4 meters high. Closer to the reef, at depths between 5 and 12 meters, vibrant marine life and colors become increasingly visible.
Marine Life
La Plage hosts a diverse array of resident marine life along with some fascinating seasonal visitors. Regular sightings include diver favorites like clownfish ("Nemo"), green sea turtles, bluespotted stingrays, and moray eels. For macro photography enthusiasts, the site is brimming with smaller wonders: nudibranchs, octopuses, and garden eels are common sightings. On special occasions, you may even spot a unique frogfish, sometimes displaying vivid, unusual colors. The variety and vibrancy of life here make each dive a unique experience.
Conclusion
Diving at La Plage in Jeddah is an unforgettable experience, showcasing the rich marine life and captivating landscapes that the Red Sea offers. This site, with its unique topography, accessible entry points, and diverse marine residents, is ideal for both beginners and seasoned divers. As part of our Diving in Saudi Arabia series, we hope this guide inspires you to explore more of Saudi’s underwater gems. Stay tuned for more dive site highlights as we uncover the beauty of the Kingdom’s hidden dive treasures.
