Making a splash in Saudi Arabia

Living in a country with a desert climate, you might be thinking that water is going to be your best, and most fun escape from the heat other than air conditioning. And you’d be quite right! Few things can compare with a dip or a dive in a bright blue pool, and letting crystal clear water wash over you. Or maybe you’re the more adventurous type whose idea of a good time is taming waves on a surfboard or exploring the briny depths? Believe it or not, Saudi Arabia still has a lot to offer for you! 
 
While Riyadh itself is not a seaside city, you still have so many choices if you want to engage in water-based activities. In fact, you have two whole seas to choose from. A few hours’ drive away to the east, lies Dammam, peering over the Persian Gulf, while a road trip away to the west lies Jeddah, looking over the Red Sea. Both cities offer their share of thrills, but more importantly, both cities boast beautiful beaches, a variety of water-based sports, and unique underwater sights for scuba divers both experienced and new to experience. 
 
However, driving to a different city is not a commute one will want to do on a regular basis. Luckily, especially for families, Riyadh itself is home to several venues to satisfy your swimming needs. From as far as one hour away and as close as 15 minutes away from Antara, Riyadh has several options when it comes to water parks and water-based amusement parks, from the Qiddiyah Water Park to the Durat al Sahel Water Theme Park to the Aqua Park and many, many more. You can expect slides, pools, games and pretty much all activities native to a family-oriented amusement venue.  
 
If you’re not as confident in your swimming prowess, you might even want to practice yourself or have your children taught by professional instructors beforehand in one of the many swimming schools in Riyadh, like AQUA-TOTS just a few minutes away from Antara, or enroll your children at the Wave Swimming Academy. 
 
But of course, all of the above is optional. Especially considering that Antara has more than enough pools for anyone! There are already two pools, the executive pool in the Monaco section for the neighbourhood’s residents, and bachelor’s pool in the Marbella Court.  
 
However, the real star of the show is a magnificent network of interconnected pools at the heart of the Antara Village section, truly a sight to behold. Various depths and sizes form a watery network that can offer both adults and children a refreshing escape from their everyday routines, at a moment’s notice. Standard pool etiquette applies for these pools so remember, don’t let your children run around the pool unsupervised while you soak! 
 
So if you’re the kind of person that loves being in or around water, in Antara you will always have plentiful options, near and far.