Why Honeymoon on the Saudi Red Sea
Seclusion is the main reason. The resorts are spread across a huge area of lagoon and desert, with only a few hundred rooms open in total. On many days you may see more fish than people. Villas are built for couples, with private pools, wide decks and direct access to the water.
The marine life is the second draw. The northern Red Sea is known for corals that cope relatively well with warm water. Reefs here have been shielded from mass tourism. Snorkelers commonly see turtles, reef sharks, rays and pods of dolphins. Divers have walls, pinnacles and seldom-visited wrecks.
The third is variety. You can split your stay between an island and a desert resort set among dunes and basalt hills, linked by a short transfer.
What you give up is spontaneity. There are no towns to wander, no beach bars and no alcohol. It is a resort honeymoon in the purest sense.
When to Go
The best time is from November to April. Air temperatures sit mostly in the high 70s to mid 80s°F, humidity is manageable and the water stays warm enough for long snorkels without a wetsuit. December to February can be breezy, with occasional choppy seas that may affect boat trips.
October and May are hotter, with afternoon highs climbing into the 90s°F. The water is very warm and visibility often excellent.
June to September is fiercely hot and humid along the coast. Resorts remain open and rates may drop, but time outdoors shrinks to early mornings and evenings. Some excursions are limited.
Check Ramadan dates if you are coming in spring. Resorts keep serving guests, but the pace of activities may change. The Saudi winter holidays and long weekends can raise prices, so book the most popular villas well ahead for late December and early January.
Where to Stay
A handful of high-end resorts are open, run by international brands. New ones are added regularly, so confirm what is operating when you book.
- The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, on the Ummahat Islands, has overwater and beach villas with pools and was among the first properties to open.
- Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, also on the Ummahat Islands, has villas over the water and on the sand, set up for privacy and personalized service.
- Six Senses Southern Dunes sits inland among the desert dunes, with villas inspired by Nabataean design, a large spa and views over open sand.
A popular plan for couples is three or four nights on an island followed by two nights in the desert. Rates are high and usually exclude transfers, which can be expensive by seaplane. Ask what activities, meals and transfers are included. Some resorts sell half-board or full-board packages that save money at the restaurants.
Romantic Things to Do
Snorkel from your villa. Reefs ring the islands and the water is warm and clear for much of the year. Ask the dive center which spots suit beginners.
Take a sunset boat ride through the lagoon to look for dolphins, then anchor off a sandbank for a private picnic. Resorts can set up sandbank dinners with lanterns.
Book a dive if one of you is certified, or try an introductory dive together. Pinnacles and walls in the outer reefs host bigger fish and sometimes sharks.
Ride a seaplane between resorts for a view of the islands from the air, one of the most photogenic transfers anywhere.
Spend a day in the desert with a sunrise walk on the dunes, a stargazing session and a dinner by a fire. Couples' spa treatments draw on local ingredients like dates and Red Sea salts. On calm evenings, ask for a kayak or paddleboard and go out together as the light fades.
Getting There and Around
Red Sea International Airport (RSI) opened in 2023 and has domestic flights from Riyadh, with more routes added over time, including some international links from the Gulf. From the US, fly nonstop to Jeddah or Riyadh and connect. Schedules are still developing, so book carefully and confirm close to travel.
From the airport, resorts arrange transfers. Inland desert properties are usually reached by car. Island resorts are reached by boat or seaplane, depending on the property and the weather. Seaplanes are quick and scenic but usually cost extra.
Jeddah is more than six hours south by road, too long for most couples. A few travelers combine the Red Sea with AlUla by road, a drive of several hours each way.
Inside the destination, you get around by resort boat and shuttle. There are no public taxis or local towns within walking distance, so arrange all transport through your hotel.
Food and Drink
All dining happens at your resort, so the quality of its restaurants matters more than usual. The larger properties run several venues, typically an all-day restaurant, a Middle Eastern or Arabic kitchen, a seafood grill and a more formal dinner spot.
Local flavors to look for include fresh Red Sea fish grilled whole, sayadiyah, a Hijazi dish of spiced rice cooked with fish. There is also saleeg, a creamy rice dish from the Hijaz. Breakfast often features ful medames, flatbreads, honey and dates.
There is no alcohol, as everywhere in Saudi Arabia. Resorts offer elaborate alcohol-free cocktails, fresh juices, cold brew and Arabic coffee with cardamom.
Because choices are limited, ask about dine-around options if you are staying more than four nights. Private dining on a beach, a deck or a sandbank costs extra but makes a big evening feel special. Tell the resort about any dietary needs in advance, since supplies arrive from far away.
Honeymoon Tips
Read the rate details closely. Many quoted prices exclude seaplane transfers, meals or taxes. The totals add up quickly.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard and your own mask if you have a good one. Resorts provide gear, but a familiar mask helps.
Dress codes are relaxed inside the resorts. Swimwear is fine at pools and beaches. Cover up when traveling through airports and cities.
Pack something warm for winter evenings in the desert, where temperatures drop sharply after dark.
This region is new and still being built. You may see construction on the horizon or find some facilities not yet open. Ask when booking which areas of the resort are finished.
Finally, the State Department advisory for Saudi Arabia is Level 3. The Red Sea area is far from the Level 4 zones, but domestic flights can change during regional tensions. Keep a buffer day before your international departure.
