Saudi Arabia Introduces New Recreational Boat Chartering Rules

Issued by the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), the framework requires operators to obtain a licence for their business and a separate charter licence for each eligible boat.

The requirements were published in the official gazette, Umm Al-Qura , on October 16, 2026, and will come into force 180 days after publication. The framework forms part of the Kingdom’s efforts to regulate coastal tourism, with visitor safety, service quality and marine environmental protection among its stated objectives.

The new requirements address recreational boats measuring no more than 11 meters and with a total tonnage not exceeding 10 tonnes.

They are distinct from the SRSA’s existing Large Yacht Chartering Regulations, which define a large yacht for its purposes as a foreign-flagged yacht measuring at least 24 meters in length and designed for commercial and recreational use, such as private yacht charters, subject to specified passenger limits.

The new framework therefore introduces requirements for a smaller category of recreational craft; it should not be interpreted as replacing the existing regulatory framework for large-yacht chartering.

The published recreational-boat requirements also state that covered boats are not permitted to sail beyond Saudi Arabia’s territorial waters.

Under the new framework, businesses responsible for managing and operating recreational boats must hold a Marine Activities Operator Licence. Each eligible boat also requires a Tourism Charter Licence, issued after an on-site technical inspection by an accredited company and confirmation that the applicable requirements have been met.

Licences are valid for 12 months and may be renewed following a review of the operator’s compliance record and service quality. Operators must also maintain insurance coverage to protect visitors and the marine environment against potential harm.

Safety requirements include providing instructions to passengers before each trip and maintaining a written emergency plan in both Arabic and English. The plan must cover fires, collisions and other marine incidents. Operators must also consider sea and weather conditions, boat speed and passenger capacity, refrain from sailing when conditions are unsuitable, and take precautions to protect passengers during boarding, disembarking and the trip itself.

The regulations require operators to provide customers with details of a trip before a booking is completed. This includes the journey’s duration and route, departure and return points, and the activities on offer.

Prices, cancellation terms, and refund policies must also be disclosed in advance, and operators may not charge fees that were not previously communicated. They must establish a clear process for receiving and addressing complaints. Where required by the nature of a trip, operators must also provide suitable means of communication for guests who do not speak Arabic.

The rules address accessibility as well. Operators must explain whether their boats and services are suitable for people with disabilities and specify what assistance is available.

Environmental protection is another part of the framework. Operators must adopt practices designed to protect coral reefs and marine biodiversity, inform visitors about responsible conduct at sea, and limit their activities to marine destinations and areas approved by the SRSA.

The new requirements establish a more defined regulatory framework for recreational boat chartering, setting out operators’ responsibilities while giving customers clearer information about the service they are booking.

The authority says the measures support the development of coastal tourism in line with Saudi Vision 2030, with other developments including the Wynn Marina, which is set to welcome superyacht charters, and the AMAALA Yacht Club.

Red Sea yacht charters have an exciting future on the horizon, with more marinas and service providers building a network for a previously overlooked charter destination. Find out more about how you can explore the sights and sounds of Saudi Arabia.

Speak to a yacht charter broker today.