From Jeddah: Boat Trip and Diving for Certified Divers

The best part of this Jeddah outing is the chance to reach Red Sea sites by boat, with two guided sessions around reefs, wrecks, or coral islands. Small groups of up to 10 make the day feel more personal, and you are not simply dropped into the water and left alone.

I like that tanks and weight belts are included, and that snacks and soft drinks are supplied on board. I also like the choice of possible sites, from Anas Reef and Duqais to Chicken Wreck and Crazy 8. The main catch is important: you must have logged a scuba session within the previous six months, or you may be limited to snorkeling.

Key points to know before booking

• Two boat-based scuba sessions: The trip is built around two separate water sessions, with a break between them.
• Possible Red Sea sites: The boat may head to Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, Crazy 8, or another local site.
• Recent experience required: If you have not logged a session within six months, you will not be allowed to scuba on this outing.
• Bring identification: Keep your ID, passport, or visa with you during the boat trip.
• Rental gear costs extra: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins are not included and cost about 145 SAR to rent.
• A mixed group is possible: You may share the boat with snorkelers, while the scuba group remains limited in size.

From Al-Haddad Scuba to the Red Sea

Your day begins at Al-Haddad Scuba in Jeddah. From there, you head to the yacht for about an hour. That transfer is part of the experience, but it also means you should arrive ready for a full half-day rather than expecting a quick outing.

The advertised duration is 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. The listed timetable adds up to slightly more than that, with about an hour going out and 80 minutes returning. In practical terms, allow roughly five and a half hours, with the exact timing depending on departure arrangements and time on the water.

You will want to bring comfortable clothes for the boat, a change of clothes, and your own towel. These are not supplied. Keep your identification close at hand, too. One useful practical point from the day-to-day operation is that you may be asked to show an ID, passport, or visa during the boat ride.

The group limit is 10 participants, though the boat may carry both scuba participants and snorkelers. One recent outing had four scuba participants and six snorkelers, which is a pleasant ratio for a small boat trip. It also means the mood of the day can vary depending on how many people are swimming, resting, or waiting between sessions.

Choosing among reefs, wrecks, and coral islands

The exact site is not fixed. The boat can travel to places such as Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, and Crazy 8, along with other local sites. That flexibility is useful because sea conditions and local planning can affect which area works best on the day.

A reef site is likely to appeal most if you want coral formations and fish life. A wreck site offers a different kind of interest, with the structure itself shaping the underwater route. Coral islands add scenery above and below the surface. The experience is less about ticking off one guaranteed landmark and more about visiting a suitable Red Sea location chosen for that outing.

You should ask the guide which site is planned before leaving the marina if that information is available. Conditions, the group’s experience, and the boat’s schedule can all affect the final choice. The supplied information does not promise one specific reef or wreck, so book this for the general Red Sea setting rather than for a guaranteed visit to Chicken Wreck or Crazy 8.

The most encouraging reports describe clear enjoyment of the underwater setting, including healthy coral and plenty of fish. At the same time, the operation has received sharply mixed feedback about organization and equipment on some dates. I would treat the site variety as a strength, but I would also confirm the equipment plan before you go.

What happens during the first session

The first scuba session lasts about one hour at the selected site. Tanks and weight belts are included for certified participants, and a guide leads the group.

The guide’s role matters here. You are not booking a private instructor for one person, so you should expect to follow the group plan and stay within the guide’s instructions. The small participant limit helps, especially for people who have not been in the Red Sea before or who want a more orderly pace.

Your own experience level still matters. This is for certified divers, not a beginner certification course. You should be comfortable preparing your equipment, entering the water, monitoring your air, and managing ordinary underwater procedures. If you have any concern about your recent experience, contact the center before paying rather than hoping the issue will be sorted at the marina.

The six-month rule is the most important condition in the entire booking. If you have not logged a session within the previous six months, you will not be allowed to scuba on the boat trip. Instead, you will snorkel. That may be a fine alternative if you mainly want to see the coast, but it is not an equal substitute if your main reason for booking is scuba.

The break, breakfast, and time between sessions

After the first session, you have about an hour of break time. This is useful for resting, drinking, checking equipment, and enjoying the boat rather than rushing straight into the next water session.

A 15-minute breakfast stop is also listed. The trip includes snacks and soft drinks, but a full meal is not included. Food is listed as an extra, so you should not expect a substantial breakfast. Bring any food you need, especially if you are accustomed to eating after a morning session.

The snack arrangement appears to be a real benefit, but it is wise to keep expectations simple. Water and soft drinks are part of the offering, and snacks are intended to make the boat time easier. One complaint described a day when only water was available to that participant, so if refreshments matter to you, carry a small personal backup that is suitable for the trip.

The break also gives you time to judge how the operation is running. If you have questions about the second session, ask the guide early. Clear communication is particularly important when the boat includes both snorkelers and scuba participants.

The second session and return to Jeddah

The second scuba session lasts about another hour. Having two sessions is a better use of the boat ride than traveling out for one short swim, and it gives you a second chance to enjoy the reef or wreck if the first session is affected by visibility, current, or your own comfort level.

The exact underwater route depends on the chosen site and the guide’s plan. You might see coral formations, fish, a wreck structure, or a coral island setting. The supplied details do not promise particular species, depth, visibility, or water temperature, so you should avoid booking with a fixed checklist of underwater sights.

Once the second session ends, the boat returns toward the marina for about 80 minutes. That is a long ride after two hours in the water, but it gives you time to relax and take in the Red Sea scenery. Pack dry clothes in a protected bag, since a boat trip can leave everything damp even when the water sessions go smoothly.

You return to Al-Haddad Scuba at the end of the outing. The schedule is long enough that I would avoid placing an important appointment immediately afterward. Boat timing can be affected by loading, equipment preparation, and the group’s pace.

Equipment: what is covered and what is not

The price includes tanks and a weight belt. It does not include the main personal scuba kit: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, or fins. Rental for that equipment is approximately 145 SAR.

That extra charge changes the value calculation. At $93 per person, the base price is reasonable for a guided boat outing with two water sessions, but a diver who needs the full rental set will pay considerably more overall. If you own a well-fitting mask, bring it if the center allows personal equipment, though the supplied details do not confirm that policy.

The lack of included personal equipment is not automatically a problem. Many dive centers price tanks and weights separately from the rest of the kit. The practical issue is equipment certainty. One highly positive account described rented equipment as being in top condition. Another account described a serious failure in preparation, with no wetsuit, regulators, or other equipment available at the marina.

Because those accounts conflict, I would contact Haddad Scuba before departure and confirm that your reserved equipment will be ready. Ask specifically about the BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins. This is not needless fussiness. Correct equipment and a clear safety briefing are basic requirements for a scuba day.

Nitrox is not included. If you normally use nitrox, you will need to ask whether it is available and at what cost. The provided information only confirms that nitrox tanks are excluded.

The people, pace, and safety standard

The trip offers guides in Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian. That is useful in a mixed group, especially when you need to understand site instructions, hand signals, entry procedures, or changes to the plan.

The experience is marketed with professional guides and a limited group size. Several accounts praise the staff for being friendly, helpful, punctual, and professional. One particularly positive outing had only four scuba participants, and the group reached sites where no other boat was present at that moment.

Still, the operation has not been perfectly consistent. A separate account described a late start, missing equipment, and no instructor present. That is a serious concern for any scuba activity. The positive reports suggest that the center can deliver a smooth, well-run day, but the negative account means I would not book blindly.

Before entering the water, you should expect a clear plan for the site, the group, equipment, and emergency procedures. If the staff cannot explain who is leading the session or what equipment is available, pause and ask questions. You are entitled to feel confident before getting in the water.

Is $93 a fair price?

The $93 base price is attractive for a roughly five-and-a-half-hour boat outing with two guided scuba sessions, tanks, weight belts, snacks, and soft drinks. It is especially fair if you already own the rest of your equipment.

For a fully equipped diver, add about 145 SAR for the BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins. Food is not included, and towels and a change of clothes are also your responsibility. Nitrox costs extra or may not be available.

I see the best value for certified divers who are already comfortable with their own gear and want a simple way to reach Red Sea sites from Jeddah. The value is weaker if you need every item rented and want a polished, high-control operation with no need to confirm details in advance.

The small group limit helps the price feel fair. You are not paying for a crowded boat with a long line of participants entering the water. The possibility of reefs, wrecks, and coral islands also gives the trip more variety than a fixed shore session.

Who should book this outing?

I would consider it a good match for a certified scuba participant who has logged a session within the last six months, understands normal boat procedures, and is happy with a site chosen according to the day’s plan.

It also suits a mixed party. Scuba participants can use the boat sessions while snorkelers enjoy the Red Sea from the surface. The group size is small enough to keep the outing manageable, though the scuba and snorkeling activities may not use the same sites.

I would be cautious if you have not been in the water for a year or more. The six-month rule may move you to snorkeling, and a separate account described being offered a short shore refresher instead of the promised boat outing. If you need a refresher, arrange that directly with the center before booking.

I would also be cautious if you expect a particular wreck, guaranteed breakfast, or a fully included equipment package. None of those is promised. The experience is best approached as a flexible Red Sea boat day, not as a tightly scripted expedition.

Final call: confirm the gear, then decide

I would book this trip if the center confirms your equipment, the recent-session rule works for you, and you are comfortable with a flexible choice of sites. The strongest features are the two water sessions, small groups, included tanks and weights, and access to reefs or wrecks away from the shore.

I would not book without checking equipment and instructor arrangements first. The positive accounts describe a punctual, friendly, well-managed day, but the serious complaint about missing gear and poor organization cannot be ignored.

For an active certified diver with recent experience, the $93 starting price can be good value. For anyone needing a full kit, a refresher, or a guaranteed scuba session after a long break, choose only after getting clear answers from Haddad Scuba.

FAQ

Where does the trip start?

The trip starts at Al-Haddad Scuba in Jeddah and returns there after the boat outing.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. The schedule includes boat travel, two one-hour scuba sessions, a break, and a short breakfast period.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included, each planned to last about one hour.

Which underwater sites might the boat visit?

Possible areas include Anas Reef, Duqais, Chicken Wreck, Crazy 8, other reef sites, wreck sites, or coral islands. A specific site is not guaranteed.

Do I need recent scuba experience?

Yes. You must have logged scuba sessions within the six months before the activity date. If not, you will not be allowed to scuba and will snorkel instead.

Are tanks and weights included?

Yes. Tanks and weight belts are included for divers.

What equipment costs extra?

BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, and fins are not included. The listed rental price is approximately 145 SAR. Nitrox tanks are also excluded.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks and soft drinks are included on board. A full meal is not included, so bring or arrange any additional food you need.

What languages are available from the guides?

Guides are available in Arabic, English, Italian, and Russian.