Sandboarding in Saudi Arabia

Saudis have a deep bond with the desert. From walking on the sand and camping in the open to 4x4 trips across the dunes, the desert remains a place of calm and an escape from the noise of the city. From this passion, sandboarding in Saudi Arabia has emerged as an adventure that combines excitement with natural beauty, thanks to the Kingdom's vast deserts and diverse sand dunes. In this article, we explore the top sandboarding spots in Saudi Arabia, the best times to ride, and tips to help you prepare for your trip.

Why Is Saudi Arabia a Great Sandboarding Destination?

The Kingdom is home to some of the largest sand deserts in the world, including the Empty Quarter, the Great Nafud, and Ad-Dahna. Its dunes vary in height, slope, and sand color, so beginners can find gentle slopes, while experienced riders can find longer, more challenging ones. Some of these dunes lie close to major cities and are easy to reach on a day trip, alongside more remote destinations suited to camping and exploration.

Top Sandboarding Spots in Saudi Arabia

Red Sands (Riyadh)

Located close to Riyadh, the Red Sands are among the easiest sandboarding destinations to reach and the most popular in the Kingdom. They are known for their red-orange sand, which looks even more beautiful at sunset, making them a favorite weekend destination.

Thumamah (Riyadh)

Located northeast of Riyadh, Thumamah is a well-known spot among the city's residents for outings and camping during the desert season. Its long sand dunes draw sandboarding enthusiasts.

AlUla

AlUla is one of the Kingdom's leading tourist destinations, combining golden sand dunes with rock formations and valleys, which gives sandboarding here a character unlike any other desert in Saudi Arabia.

AlUla offers a variety of desert experiences and trips, and some tour operators offer activities such as sandboarding and dune driving in 4x4 vehicles. Visitors can combine the thrill of sandboarding with exploring historic sites such as Hegra, the first Saudi site to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Great Nafud Desert

The Great Nafud is the second-largest sand area in the Kingdom after the Empty Quarter, stretching across the north of the country through the Hail, Al-Jouf, and Tabuk regions with its vast red dunes. Enthusiasts visit it for sandboarding, camping, and desert trips, and Hail is one of its main gateways. In its southern part lies Jubbah, one of the rock art sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Al-Asfar Lake (Al-Ahsa)

Al-Asfar Lake lies in Al-Ahsa Governorate in the Eastern Province. Surrounded by sand dunes, it is a favorite destination for families to enjoy outings and camping. Organized trips to the lake combine camping, stargazing, and sandboarding, making it a suitable option for residents of and visitors to the Eastern Province.

Ad-Dahna Desert

Ad-Dahna is the third-largest desert in the Kingdom. It stretches in an arc of sand about 1200 kilometers long, linking the Great Nafud in the north to the Empty Quarter in the south, and passes through several regions, including Riyadh. Along its length lie varied red dunes that attract desert lovers and sandboarders.

The Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, with towering dunes that attract adventurers seeking a different experience. However, reaching it requires advance planning and good preparation, and it is best to go with a guide who knows the area well.

The Best Time for Sandboarding in Saudi Arabia

Winter and spring are the best seasons for sandboarding in the Kingdom thanks to their mild temperatures. In the summer months, the sand gets extremely hot at midday, so it is best avoided. During the day, early morning or late afternoon before sunset is the best time to ride, when the heat is gentler and the light is more beautiful.

Tips Before Your Dune Trip

- If this is your first time, an organized trip with a licensed operator may suit you.

- Don't go alone, and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

- Bring enough water and a charged phone.

- Use a vehicle suited to sandy terrain, and check the weather before you set out.

- Follow the rules of parks and reserves and the instructions of the relevant authorities.

- Keep the area clean and take your trash with you.

Sandboarding with Sand Riders

Sand Riders is the first Saudi workshop to make sandboards in the Kingdom, and our boards and sleds are still handmade in Riyadh. We aim to spread the sport and help adventure lovers discover where to ride in Saudi Arabia. To find out what gear you need before your trip, read [Essential Sandboarding Gear]. If you're new to the sport, start with [What Is Sandboarding?], or browse [our products] in our store.