Saudi Arabia - Facts
- COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
- Saudi Arabia is a very conservative Muslim country, historically difficult to visit by foreigners, except Muslims on a pilgrimage to Mecca. In order to preserve religious purity, tourism was actively discouraged.
- On the 1st April 2018, Saudi Arabia announced they were going to start issuing tourist visas as well as increased investment in a bid to welcome 30 million tourists annually by 2030. Restrictions have eased, an e-visa can now be obtained online and women over the age of 25 can travel alone to Saudi.
- In recent years, restrictions for cruising yachts have eased somewhat and fees, although still high, have reduced. See Formalities for more details.
- Yachts which have been forced to call at a Saudi port in an emergency have been treated courteously, once the authorities have ascertained that the stop has been caused by a genuine emergency.
- Many areas of the Gulf are highly sensitive, including near maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Gulf. Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected; there have been occasional arrests. Mariners should make careful inquiries as to allowed areas before commencing cruising here.
- Repair facilities and provisioning are best at Mira’ al Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s main port.
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Posted on behalf of SY Tamarisk:
Saudi Arabia – if heading for the Gulf of Aqaba, it is impossible to pass without entering Saudi waters. Use the main shipping channel at the gulf entrance, not the protected route behind the Saudi Islands, otherwise yachts will be stopped and detained by Saudi coast guard (clueless ones).