Saudi’s Newest Red Sea Destination Is a Playground for Daredevils

In recent years, the pilates pandemic, with its unrealistic glute goals, has crept in on us all with little-to-no room for discussion. And while there’s nothing wrong with an intense 8 AM workout that’ll have you questioning how far your femur can stretch—or a follow-up matcha and low-carb bagel—it feels as though people have forgotten all about fun. The kind of fun that comes with a rush of adrenaline so strong, you forget all about the nine-to-five job you’ve been thinking of leaving for months. This is where Adrena on Saudi’s Red Sea comes in: the Kingdom’s newest lifestyle destination that’s definitely not for the faint of heart.Just thirty-minutes away from the Red Sea International Airport, with shuttle services available from Shura Island, Adrena jumps straight off the page with waves, ramps, and slides that dare you to act anything but your age. The biggest surf pool in Saudi sits at its centre, nonchalantly, in all its 215 metre-wide glory, pushing you to embrace the inner-child that never got on a surf board. And with hydraulic wave technology that ensures smooth and consistent rides, especially for beginners, by the time you leave, you’ll have become a pro. But if this isn’t your first rendezvous with the tides, then you’ll be pleased to know that the adjustable waves go all the way up to 2.1 metres, possibly close enough for you to touch the sky.
Now, if commanding the waves seems too intense an activity then you can head to the dedicated wakeboarding lake. There, you can glide across calm, turquoise waters at your own pace, with cables guiding you safely and instructors on hand to help you master tricks—or simply enjoy the thrill without the pressure, which can definitely be found at their three-tier cliff diving experience.  For an up-close and personal view of the vibrant local marine life, you’ll find dedicated snorkelling trails sprinkled all across Adrena. And definitely bring the kids because the experience is exciting enough to have them zooming around but the environment is controlled enough that you won’t care where they run off to. Afterwards, you can practice your skills, try out new techniques, or take a first dive under the guidance of expert instructors at the 6-metre-deep diving pool.  Once you’ve had your fill of the waves and underwater adventures, it’s time to explore Adrena’s land-based thrills, where skateparks, BMX tracks, and zip lines await those craving a different kind of teenage rush. This shift of experience recharges you without ever being too overwhelming, allowing you to sip your drink—brought to you by mocktail bars—as you jam to the live DJ sets and take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the endless Red Sea blues. And you don’t even have to stress about keeping a watchful eye on the children oscillating between kicking a football and saving a volleyball from ever touching the sand because there are so many guides roaming around, they’ll fill in for you. So, whether you want your inner daredevil to take a leap off a cliff dive, or you’re simply looking to lounge somewhere on the Red Sea with a mocktail in hand, it seems that Adrena is making it extra easy to have fun again. And for this specific adventure, you don't even have to leave the kids behind.