Al Lith will dazzle you with its sugar-white sand, sky-blue water and offshore reefs teeming with aquatic life. The bustling city is set on the Red Sea and fringed by a breezy promenade and sandy beach. Venture offshore to enjoy some of the best scuba diving in the Middle East, including the chance to swim with whale sharks.
Things to do in Al Lith
A palm-lined corniche stretches along the Al Lith waterfront and treats you to beautiful views over the Red Sea. On weekends, the corniche is dotted with ice cream trucks and street food stalls selling Saudi snacks like “yughmish” bread stuffed with spiced meat, “mutabaq” fried pancakes and “kulfi” ice cream studded with pistachios.
Jabal Al Lith is perched just off the coast of the city and surrounded by a vibrant coral reef. Crystal-clear water ensures the diving is world-class, with the chance to spot reef sharks, rays, oceanic whitetips and enormous schools of giant trevally.
From March to June, the island is one of the top destinations in the world to dive with majestic whale sharks. Non-divers can bask on the white-sand beaches and explore hidden sea caves. Tours and organised dive trips are the best way to visit Jabal Al Lith, which is a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland.
Getting around Al Lith
Taxis are a fast and comfortable way to get around Al Lith. The city is located in Makkah Province, a 2.5-hour drive from Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport.