Imagine that: You are standing on a massive desert, the scorching hot wind is tearing at your hair. Suddenly, you notice something surprising—a huge amount of blue water stretching out before you, right in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert.. No, the heat doesn’t make you see odd things. You just traveled the Inland Sea, Khor al Adaid.
I was astonished When I found this natural phenomenon during my recent trip. Seriously, it blew my mind.

Location:

The Inland Sea is locally known as Khor al Adaid, is small sizes of water in eastern Saudi Arabia that lies quite close to the Qatari border. It’s essentially a large saltwater Lagoon with a small canal leading into the Persian Gulf. You have the proper notion when you picture a massive pond encircled by enormous dunes.

My Personal Experience

I have been to beaches before, though. I’ve had a time in the Caribbean, went surfing in Hawaii, and sunbathed in the Mediterranean. But I must say that nothing prepared me for the Inland Sea.
I was hanging out in Riyadh with a Saudi friend when it all began. He abruptly left while we were exchanging trip stories,”Wait, you haven’t been to Khor al Adaid?” His expression was amazing; it was as if I had missed any traditional things or anything else

The next thing I knew, I was traveling east with my luggage packed. Talk about spontaneous travel decisions! Believe me, sometime these are much more effective than the long-planned tours.

How to go

It doesn’t seem a smooth route to the Inland Sea. This place is not easily reachable by taking an Uber. So, we need to arrange this trip seriously.

Firstly, I came from Riyadh to Dammam by air. Then the things become fascinating from this point on. A 4×4 SUV is required for crossing the desert region. Otherwise, you’re like a Bedouin in disguise, you’ll want a local guide too. Trust me on this one – those dunes all start to look the same after a while, and getting lost in the desert is not how I plan to make headlines.

It will take around three to four hours to drive from Dammam to the Inland Sea. But, as I said, You can’t count the times as you’re too busy picking your jaw up off the floor every five minutes. The landscape changes before your eyes – from city to scrubland to an endless sea of dunes. You’re in it, as like you are moving through a natural documentary.

Where to go:

There are a few locations you must not miss once you are around Inland Island:

1. The Viewpoint: It is the place where I experienced my “holy cow” moment. Huffing and puffing (reminder to self: do more exercise), you ascend this enormous dune, and presto! It is open to reveal the whole Inland Sea. It is like an ocean dropped in the middle of a desert. It looks crazy, especially in the time of sunset.

2. The Beach: A real beach exists here! I expected to see volleyball nets and surfers as we came along to the water’s edge. The water was surprisingly clear & calm. Which was ideal for diving after any desert trekking.

3. The Dunes: The sand dunes surrounding the sea are a sight of great attraction for tourists. There are some dune hills That would be equivalent to a thirteen-storied structure. That’s cool, huh!

What to do

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “Well, all the things are very well, but what to do at sea in the middle of the desert?” Calm down, folks! there are lot of things to do.

1. Dune Bashing: This is not recommended for those people with fainting hearts. Imagine yourself on a 4×4 SUV without any tracks. At insane speeds, you move up, down, and across dunes. I might have screamed a few times, just for kicks.

2. Sandboarding: The hotter version of snowboarding in the dune. You slide over dunes while attaching a board to your feet. Although I think I faceplanted more than I would want to express, It was so much fun,

3. Swimming: Maybe It seems strange to swim in the Inland Sea. You’re swimming amid a desert in warm water.
Just be cautious—this isn’t an attempt to reproduce “Cast Away”

4. Stargazing: The real show starts when the sun sets. The night sky is filled with stars when there is no light. I laid on the beach for hours on end, thinking about my role in the cosmos and whether or not I had brought enough cravings. I started gazing up at the Milky Way.

5. Camel Rides: A few tour companies offer camel rides by the beach. Sure, it’s a little popular, but yeah, it’s Rome (the Saudi desert), so what’s happening? It also produces some stunning images.

6. Photography: About taking pictures, don’t forget to bring your camera (or phone). There is Instagram gold in every direction you turn. Some stunning views are produced by the way the light interacts with the sand and water.

Safety & Precautions

Alright, let’s speak about safety before you leave and make your travel arrangements. Though it’s in the midst of the terrible desert, the Inland Sea is beautiful. These pointers will help you avoid being the star of your own survival film.

1. Water: Bring more water than you need. It is not cool in the desert, and the last thing you need to know is to look and feel like a dried-out raisin.

2. Sun Protection: you must have hats, sunglasses, sunscreen. You will being struck by surroundings

3. Dress Appropriately: Light & loose-fitting clothes can help you to survive here. However, keep in mind that Saudi Arabia has modest clothing regulations. Folks, no speedos or bikinis are allowed here.

4. First Aid Kit: Include the necessary things. but it is better than trying to bandage a wound place with a sandy t-shirt.

5. Appreciate the Environment: Do not leave rubbish in public places. Don’t forget to pack it out. Future visitors and Mother Nature will appreciate it.

6. Follow Your Guide: It is easy to get lost in the desert. Stay with your guide unless you want to star in “Lawrence of Arabia: Lost and Confused,” since one dune looks much like the next.

7. Monitor the weather: Sandstorms can occur anytime. If there is a forecast, consider delaying your travel. I promise you that having sand in your ears, eyes, and other places is not the highlight of a trip.

8. Vehicle Inspections: If you are driving yourself, Ensure your 4×4 SUV is in excellent condition. If possible, bring a satellite phone, extra gasoline, and water. You don’t want to go on a trip where you break down in the desert.

9. Tide patterns: if you intend to swim or camp close to the water, Keep in mind the tide patterns On an air mattress, you don’t want to wake up drifting away.

10. Wildlife: Although they are uncommon species, certain desert creatures may be seen. Admire from a distance, . Your effort at a selfie may not be appreciated by that lovely lizard.

My experience in the Inland Sea allowed me to appreciate Saudi Arabia’s natural beauties on a different scale. It’s a region of the nation that is frequently overwhelmed by the glamorous cities and important historical landmarks. But man, it is not the truth. beautyThe last evening, I observed the sunset and the sky transform into a painter’s pallet of oranges, pinks, and purples. It was a wonderful moment of peace created by the soft sound of the waves lapping against the coast and the whisper of wind across the dunes. Everything seemed exciting at that time, including the sand in my shoes and the sunburn on my nose.

Saudi Arabia’s Inland Sea serves as a reminder of the unanticipated richeness that our planet has. It serves as a reminder that occasionally wandering off the well-traveled route and taking a chance on the unknown may result in the most amazing experiences. It demonstrates that even in the most hostile environments, you can find your own small heaven with a little exploration, lots of sunscreen, and an open mind.

If you’re thinking about visiting Saudi Arabia, do yourself a favor and schedule time to see the Inland Sea. It is just not a destination; it is an experience that will stick with you long after you’ve shaken the last grains of sand from your suitcase. If you want to share your valuable notions with me you can dm me. Want to view more interesting vlog stories like that, stay tune with Desert Chronicles