Obhur Creek

About This Spot

Obhur Creek (Sharm/Khor Obhur) is a ~9 km tidal inlet of the Red Sea about 30–35 km north of central Jeddah, in the city's upscale resort-and-marina belt. It has two distinct faces. The protected inner creek/lagoon is very flat and shallow in places (flattest behind the mangroves) and, where you can find open access, suits improvers and freestyle-minded intermediates. The open seafront and reef edge is deeper with some chop/swell on the reef line and is an advanced, deep-water spot: most beaches are short, so a clean beach launch is often impossible and riders launch/pack down off a boat or jetski. Wind is predominantly NW, blowing cross- to cross-onshore most days, and is reinforced by an afternoon thermal off the warm sea. It is kiteable through much of the year, but the most reliable, stronger sessions (roughly 15–25 kt) cluster in the winter-to-spring window (about Nov–Apr/May); summer is very hot with lighter, more thermal-dependent afternoons, and mid-winter can have lulls. Cross-check Windguru (North Obhur) and Windfinder Jeddah before committing. Hazards: live coral and rocks, especially dangerous at low tide and on the downwind reef edge — a deep-water pack-down is safer than risking the shallows. The area is built up with private beaches, clubs and resorts, so launch space is limited and access often requires going through a paid club, school or resort; expect boat and jetski traffic in the channel and marinas. There is no big consistent surf, but the open side can serve up reef-edge waves. Kite schools operate locally (lessons and rental), so beginners can start under supervision, but independent beginners will struggle with launch access and reef. Bring booties; respect local rules and modest-dress norms.