Uqair Beach (Al Hofuf): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2023)

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Uqair fort and beach.
Uqair is one of the ancient fort in Saudi Arabia, located around 75 kms from Al Ahsa city.
Uqair beach is situated near the fort. Low waves, can park the car directly at the shore, beautiful clear water , but with sharp stones. Ideal for picnic with family and children.

The beach is rather far from other cities and so is practically deserted. So you can have the feeling of a private beach if visiting the area. The beach is pristine and unspoiled - no shops, restaurants or cafes here. So carry your own food and water. There are some other historical attractions near the beach which you can also visit.

It is a bizarre place that makes it attractive in itself: kilometers of beach with some facilities built some time ago. 4 lane road with extensive lightning leads to parking lots at the beach where you gave barbeque places and several playgrounds for the kids. The only thing: within 2 hours there, I haven't seen anybody else. I was completely alone, and it felt like a ghost place. In certain areas, there are signs that swimming is not allowed as it is a dangerous area. At others, it seemed to be ok. Lifeguards: not at all. But shallow waters, so it shouldn't be dangerous, even for kids.

There are no shops, no restaurants, food trucks, or fuel stations, so you have to bring everything with you. But better let somebody know where you are, as nobody there to help you if you get unconscious or something else does happen.

I wonder if there are other times when more people are around. It was Ramadan, so it could be that even fewer people went out throughout the daytime. But I asked myself, why on earth investing in all that infrastructure if nobody ever goes there. Dammam/Khobar is more than 1 hour away, which does mean that the typical family will choose other options.

However, being totally alone in this human-made infrastructure was worth going there. Perhaps it does have its own morbid charm.

Nice beach
Can park directly at the shore
4 wheel drive recommended
Watershoes highly recommended
Lots of sharp stones
Beautiful clear and clean water
Ideaal for picknick even with large group

Travelled from Al Khobar approx. 95km to Uqair. Went to the fort and palace at old port, very interesting. Taken around by two guides, informative and helpful and worth the riyals we gave them. Is due to become a paid attraction from next year, we were told, so good idea to see while free to enter. Closes at 12 so keep opening times in mind when visiting, people with limited mobility may find a challenge. No toilet facilities/ petrol stations/ shops/ restaurants in area so make sure take own refreshments and car is filled up with petrol before leave home. Can drive close to observatory but fenced off to prevent entry. Travelled to Uqair beach and walked along pier.. sure would get crowded at weekends. BBQ areas by shades and grassy areas to sit as well as very long expanse of beach. Went to the Roman Theatre .. still under construction although no evidence of it at the moment. Pleasant to walk around and panoramic sea views .. hope it gets completed ie water/ fountains as would be a tourist attraction in the area. Enjoyed our day out to Uqair, weather ambient and not too busy..

Long beach, with some rare locations where you can swim.
Good arrangments of beach with concrete shade and barbecues installed, some areas for kids to play...
Unfortunately, the world is contaminated leading to some detritus on ths beach, too long a beach to be expected to be cleaned regulalrly.

Worth the detour.

Went during Eid holiday and I must say it was better than the crowded beaches in Khobar. It is best to come early morning (sunrise..pack along your breakfast and take a quick dip) as it can get really hot by 10am and at noon the water was not as calm and clean anymore.

Al Reef beach is strictly for single only (so I have no idea if its better than the coast) and then the stretch of Al Uqair coast is for family-single (the further you go the cleaner the water - the first area where the boats are had oil mixed black stinky water).

Uqair historical port is a part of Uqair beach, this is not to mixed it with Uqair beach.

This historical site was also the location of the conference at which the Uqair Protocol of 1922 was issued, which helped to establish the borders of modern Saudi Arabia, by King Abdulaziz Bin Saud ( The establisher of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 ).

The fort sits northeast of the fertile oasis of Al-Hasa on the east coast of the Arabian Gulf. At the ancient locale are the remains of a large fort that now marks the site of the same name. The current structure that exists is of unknown origin. It is not absolutely clear who built the fort that measures roughly 150 ft (50 m) on each side which consists of a stone rampart topped with mud brick.

Despite the lack of conclusively identifying its original builders, Uqair stands in quiet aura as a testimony to a mysterious and diverse cultural landscape that flourished in its proximity.

The fort is now renovated, clean, neat and looks amazing especially in the afternoon by the sunset..

We were lucky with the weather in Decemeber, sunny and cool that makes the fort even more charming!

The only one thing that we wish to see is more description of each room of the fort by simply hanging a sign with text that explains each room's history, but the guys who were responsible there has explained to us each one of them anyway.

The road to uqair Beach take u to old uqair Port with historical port and few old buildings... If drive further ahead, there is a newly developing beach.. With parks and shaded umbrellas for families to sit under.
Best time to leave late in night.. Do bar B Q, play foot ball... I watch sunrise and return..

Road to uqair is bit dangerous.. Take caution driving to uqair.. Keep eye on the camels
Amazing view of sea behind the desert sand dunes...

Excellent place for weekends with kids or friends to enjoy the scenic view, clean sea water & well maintained kids play park