Frequently asked questions
Saudi Arabia FAQs
Travel
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for Saudi Arabia, unless you are coming from or passing through yellow fever risk areas. We recommend ensuring that routine vaccinations, including MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio, and Hepatitis A, are up to date before travelling.
Sensible precautions should be taken against mosquito and insect bites, including the use of a good-quality insect repellent and covering exposed skin at dawn and dusk, especially when on land.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged nine months or older arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for those having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
We advise consulting your local travel health clinic or pharmacy at least eight weeks before departure for the latest recommendations applicable to Saudi Arabia.
Travellers carrying personal prescription medications containing controlled, narcotic, or psychotropic substances must obtain an advance electronic clearance permit through the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Controlled Drug System before entering or leaving Saudi Arabia.
Classification and Permit Rules
- Controlled Medications: Drugs containing narcotic, psychotropic, stimulant, sedative, or anti-anxiety properties (such as Alprazolam, Zolpidem, Codeine, Tramadol, or ADHD treatments like Methylphenidate) require mandatory electronic approval before your flight.
- Regular Prescription Medications: Standard non-controlled prescription drugs (like common blood pressure or cholesterol pills) do not need an advance online clearance permit, but they must still match personal use guidelines.
Allowed Quantities
- Controlled Substances: Restricted strictly to a maximum 30-day supply or the duration of your stay, whichever is shorter.
- Regular Prescriptions: Allowed up to a maximum 90-day supply or the duration of your stay.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Master Liveaboards’ guests, as outlined in section 3 of our terms and conditions.
We strongly advise obtaining comprehensive travel insurance to cover against unforeseeable delays and potential missed flight connections. Please read our blog ‘Do You Really Need Travel Insurance?‘ for further information on why the right type of travel insurance is so important.
You must also have insurance that covers scuba diving and snorkelling activities and the maximum depths that you will be diving to (within the limits dictated by your diving certification). It must also provide full coverage of emergency air evacuation costs and recompression treatment.
We strongly recommend taking out diving-specific insurance, such as DAN or Dive Assure, in addition to your standard travel insurance. Further information can be found on the insurance page of the Master Liveaboards website – Dive & Travel Insurance
The most convenient international airport is King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) (JED), which is served by direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, with additional long-haul connections via international hubs or other Saudi cities.
For some guests, Prince Abdulmohsen Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (YNB) in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia may be an alternative, although international flight schedules are limited.
PLEASE NOTE: During the Hajj season, Saudi authorities restrict non-pilgrim travel into Jeddah; if you are planning a trip around that time, check with your airline before booking flights.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into Saudi Arabia.
Dual Nationals
If you are a dual national, you will need to bring the passport that you used to book your flights.
Travel Documents
You will need your return/onward flight details, liveaboard booking confirmation and local contact details readily available for airline and immigration checks.
Current published entry guidance does not list a separate pre-arrival travel registration requirement for ordinary tourist visits; however, requirements may vary by nationality, travel history and purpose of visit, so you should check with your airline before travelling.
Visa information
The majority of travellers require a visa to visit Saudi Arabia, which can be obtained in several ways, depending on nationality.
eVisa
The Saudi eVisa is the most convenient and reliable option; applying in advance reduces processing time on arrival. Travellers from eligible countries can apply through the official Saudi eVisa portal
Visa on Arrival
A tourist Visa on Arrival is available to eligible travellers, including passport holders from all EU member states, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, and Singapore.
Embassy issued
Travellers who are not eligible for an eVisa or Visa on Arrival must apply in person at their nearest Saudi embassy or consulate.
Further information can be found on the visitsaudi.com website: Saudi Arabia Visa Requirements
It’s not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended to allow for possible flight delays.
A complimentary shared transfer is provided from King Abdulaziz International Airport to the liveaboard embarkation location on the day of embarkation only and back to the airport on disembarkation day.
Transfers can be arranged on other days, or from other locations for an additional charge.
Country Information
Saudi Arabia has a predominantly hot, dry climate, although conditions vary considerably between coastal, inland and mountainous areas.
Summers (June–August) are very hot, with daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F) and high humidity along the Red Sea coast.
Winters (December–February) are generally milder along the coast, with cooler evenings, while inland and mountainous areas can become much colder at night.
Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with more comfortable temperatures. Rainfall is usually limited, but occasional heavy showers occur during the cooler months.
The official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic, although English is widely used in tourism and business.
Islam is the official religion and plays an important role in daily life. Guests should respect local customs, religious practices and places of worship.
The official currency of Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SAR), which is pegged to the US dollar at $1 = 3.75. However, the actual rate received may differ due to bank or exchange-provider charges
Credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops, and ATMs are widely available; please check overseas withdrawal fees and card limits with your bank. Carrying a small amount of Saudi riyals is useful for smaller purchases and tips.
Saudi Arabia’s standard VAT rate is 15%, so check whether quoted prices include VAT.
In major Saudi cities, health care facilities are generally of a high standard, although smaller towns have more basic facilities, and serious cases may require transfer to a larger hospital. Medical assistance from offshore locations may involve a lengthy transfer. The emergency ambulance number is 997 (Saudi Red Crescent).
Please check that your travel insurance will cover all medical costs, including air evacuation should it be needed in the event of a medical emergency.
Not necessarily, although it may be more cost-effective if you intend to use your phone a lot.
If you have international roaming, you will be able to use your phone in Saudi Arabia, although call and data costs depend on your home network provider.
There are three mobile network providers in Saudi Arabia: STC, Mobily and Zain, all of which offer prepaid visitor packages with mobile data and calling allowances. Prices, inclusions and validity periods vary by package.
Visitor SIM cards can be purchased from official counters inside Jeddah Airport or from the providers’ local shops; bring your passport and visa details for registration and activation, and ensure your phone is unlocked. Alternatively, if your smartphone is eSIM compatible, visitor eSIM options are available. Before leaving the shop, check that mobile data works and confirm the package’s expiry date, data allowance and top-up method.
Satellite phones and radio transmitters may require a licence or prior approval; guests bringing specialist communication equipment should check requirements before departure.
Guests should not bring a drone without first confirming import and operating requirements through the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Customs clearance, registration and operational permission are separate processes, and approval to bring a drone into the country does not automatically permit flying it.
Saudi Arabia strictly prohibits alcohol, narcotics, pork products, pornographic materials, and weapons from entering the country.
Completely Prohibited Items
- Alcohol and Drugs: Zero tolerance for alcohol (even sealed duty-free), illegal drugs, narcotics, poppy seeds or foods containing them, and CBD products.
- Food: Pork and all pork-derived products, frog meat, and food containing animal blood.
- Tech and Surveillance: Spy gadgets (hidden cameras disguised as pens, watches, or glasses) and eavesdropping devices.
- Morals and Culture: Pornographic or obscene materials, gambling tools, and items that contradict Islamic teachings.
- Specific Foods/Plants: Nutmeg (fruit and powder) and guru fruits.
Restricted Items (Require Prior Approval)
- Medicines: Many prescription drugs and medical supplements require electronic clearance or prior approval from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
- Drones and Wireless Tech: Remote-controlled aircraft, drones, and wireless communication equipment need special authorisation from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) or relevant authorities.
- Media: Books, films, and religious materials are subject to content review by the Ministry of Media.
- Cash and Valuables: Carrying cash or valuables exceeding SAR 60,000 must be declared at customs.
Restricted items must be declared and accompanied by any required permits. Declaring a prohibited item does not make it permissible to bring into the country. For current guidance, see ZATCA – Restricted or Prohibited Goods.
The nearest hyperbaric facility is the Hyperbaric Oxygen Service at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, which treats decompression sickness and other diving accidents.
Please note that medical assistance from offshore locations may involve a lengthy transfer, and in some cases, Saudi Master may need to deviate from the planned itinerary route and diving schedule to facilitate it.
Diving Information
Diving in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea is best suited to intermediate and experienced divers.
The minimum requirement for all Saudi Master itineraries is an Advanced Open Water certification (or equivalent) and at least 40 logged dives.
Some sites involve current, deep walls and exposed conditions, so divers should be comfortable with buoyancy control, buddy procedures and diving in changeable conditions.
We are happy to welcome everyone from non-divers to seasoned divers aboard Saudi Master, although our itineraries focus primarily on scuba diving.
Snorkelling opportunities depend on the route, weather, currents and surface conditions, and snorkelling is not possible at every dive site.
No. The maximum depth for all dives is 40 metres, with dive times dictated by depth. Diving that requires decompression stops is prohibited.
No. All divers must dive as part of a group or with a buddy.
Water temperatures along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast vary by location and season, from approximately 24°C (75°F) in winter to 31°C (88°F) in summer, although cooler water can occur at some locations.
We suggest a 3mm shorty or full wetsuit for the summer and a 5mm full-length wetsuit during the winter. Guests prone to feeling cold are advised to use a hood/vest and additional thermal layers under their wetsuit, and to allow for wind chill between dives in the cooler months.
During Your Trip
Yes. We offer a range of PADI certification courses on Saudi Master, including Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx) and Deep Adventure Dive training. Please contact our team for further details
All dives are conducted from the dive tenders. Entry is typically a backward roll, and exits are via a ladder.
Divers are split into groups led by Saudi Master’s dive guides, although experienced divers may also be allowed to dive in buddy pairs without a guide.
Night dives are offered at selected sites where permitted and suitable, but are not available every evening.
The standard cylinders on Saudi Master, which are included in the liveaboard price, are 80 cu ft (commonly referred to as 12 Litres).
We have a limited number of 100 cu ft cylinders (commonly referred to as 15 Litre) available for an additional charge, which must be pre-ordered.
All cylinders have DIN valves with adapters available to accommodate Yoke (INT) regulators.
Saudi Master has a full complement of equipment available to rent, so you don’t need to bring all of your own, unless you want to. Please provide us with your height, weight and shoe size before arrival.
Dive computer and SMB are mandatory on all dives. These are available to rent for guests who don’t have their own.
Gloves and dive knives are not permitted.
Yes. Nitrox is available free of charge for guests who are certified to use it.
Nitrox certification can be completed on board for an additional charge.
Meals are provided on a full board basis, served buffet-style in the indoor, air-conditioned dining area.
A complimentary range of soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, coffee and mineral water is available at all times, as well as snacks and fresh fruit.
Alcohol
As alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia, there are no alcoholic beverages available on board.
No.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited throughout Saudi Arabia. Guests should not attempt to bring alcohol into the country, as it will be confiscated and may result in legal penalties.
Yes. Wi-fi internet access is available free of charge on Saudi Master. However, connectivity depends on local mobile coverage and is generally only available when close to shore.
Mobile phones that have international roaming or a local SIM will have sporadic connectivity around the Red Sea coast.
No. Fishing is not allowed in marine protected areas or at any other time on Saudi Master itineraries.
Yes, in designated outdoor areas only.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all indoor areas, including guest cabins, and are not permitted on the dive deck or during dive briefings.
Cash payments on Saudi Master can be accepted in SAR, USD, or EUR.
We also accept Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards on board.
All extras paid for on board are subject to 15% Saudi VAT.
We believe that tipping is a matter of personal choice. Should you feel that our crew has made your holiday extra special, they will certainly appreciate a tip as a sign of your appreciation.
The customary amount on a liveaboard in Saudi Arabia s is 400 SAR (110 USD) per person.
An envelope will be provided by your cruise director at the end of your itinerary, and all gratuities will be divided equally amongst all crew, including the captain and dive guides.
