There are many beach resorts in Jeddah: family-friendly ones, ladies-only ones, fancy you-have-to-know-someone-t
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We had a hard time finding it on our first visit. There are no signs outside distinguishing the resort and everything is surrounded by cement walls. We pulled up to what appeared to be a gate and eventually a security guard came out of a door while we were confusedly staring at our phones and squinting out the window. He checked our ID’s, gave us a nod, then the gate to shangri-la creaked open and we were ushered inside.
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Once we pay at the entrance ($30/person) women are required to remove their abayas and leave them in a closet area. Teeny bikinis are free to reign, or whatever else you want to wear.
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Nice fluffy sand carpets the beach and lounge chairs are positioned under the shade of palm cabanas. There’s also a pool, volleyball court, restaurant, and pier that leads right into prime snorkeling and diving waters. For those with annual memberships, there are sleeping accommodations as well.
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For a long time, Saudis weren’t allowed in many of the resorts (I think that’s still the case) because there’s just too much debauchery beyond those gates – like women in bikinis and fraternization of the sexes. 😆 Joking aside, I do think it’s bc the occupants of the resort aren’t required to adhere to Islamic standards. Many of the beach-goers are from Lebanon or Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece). Today I met a family from Czech Republic. They’re all people who live in Saudi for work and they come to the beach for a breath of fresh air and the opportunity to unwind.
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Our first time at Le Plage, we bought a 10-visit pass bc you get a bit of a discount, and just today we used our 10th visit. In almost 3 years, ha. We really enjoy going, but with kids it becomes an all-day affair and requires a lot more planning and at least eight different tote bags. Nevertheless, when we do make it there, it feels like our little slice of the Caribbean in Saudi. 🌊☀️
(Photos aren’t allowed at the resort so this is one of my only surreptitious captures )
