Exploring Saudi Arabia's marine wonderland

[Saif al-Arab]

حقل عندما يعانق البحر الجبل by khaled alamrani, on Flickr




Isle of Umm Almalik by Akram Saleh Alsinany, on Flickr

Georgious G (Haql) K.S.A. by Donald E. Curtis, on Flickr

Tabuk area منطقة تبوك by tabuk تبوك, on Flickr

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As I wrote in the previous post.

Change the VISA policy currently in place, invest heavily in tourism (religious and non-religious), ease some of the domestic laws and KSA WILL easily be in the top 10 of most visited countries on the planet very quickly. It already is in the top 15 with some of the most harsh VISA rules out there.

World Tourism rankings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is endless potential. It's time to introduce a real tourism visa and continue the infrastructural investments that can make the tourism sector a booming industry.

Also @JUBA @Full Moon @Bubblegum Crisis @alarabi @Naifov @Frosty @Altamimi @KTOOOOM @Majesty etc. it would be good if some of you could join me here once in a while.

 

[haviZsultan]

A beautiful land...

 

[Saif al-Arab]

A beautiful land...

This is just a small glimpse and obviously the focus is on the marine life, coastline, beaches, the over 1500 or so islands found in KSA etc.

من رحلة املج شمال غرب المملكة عام ١٤٣٤هـ شهر ٥ by ابو ريان, on Flickr
... by Fahad Almazyad, on Flickr

ALlith sea_Panorama-Part2 by タリク طارق, on Flickr
KAUST aerial view by LIK BATON BOOT, on Flickr
394-09 Island in the Red Sea by Doug and Liz Herbst, on Flickr
فرسان by Jazan Know, on Flickr



DSC00933 by Aiwaah Dot Com, on Flickr

​

 

[Bilad al-Haramayn]

Al Wadj Bank, Saudi Arabia (NASA, International Space Station Science, 12/30/07) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr

غابة المانجروف by Tayseer Alabyadh, on Flickr
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Ancient shipwrecks discovered in Jeddah ​

ABHA: A joint team of Saudi and German archaeologists has found the remains of a Roman shipwreck along the Red Sea coast.
In addition to it, the remains of another ship dating back to the early Islamic period have also been discovered in the area between Rabigh in the north and Al-Shoaibah in the south.
The items have been delivered to the National Museum in Riyadh for public display, said the discoverers at a seminar.
German archaeologist Michaela Reinfeld said many underwater remains are waiting to be discovered.
She said it was part of her team’s job in the Kingdom to train Saudis in the field of underwater archaeology.
Reinfeld added that the Saudi coast is rich in these wrecks and their presence has prompted the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage to step up efforts to discover the treasures with the assistance of international experts.
Mahdi Al-Qarni, head of the Saudi team, said the successive civilizations on the Arabian Peninsula were major contributors to underwater relics in the Red Sea which has been a trade route since ancient times. He said the Saudi and German team had earmarked 50 locations for more exploration.

He stressed that the discovery of underwater archaeological finds requires specialized expertise, especially as the Red Sea waters contain a good deal of waste and other pieces that are not of archaeological interest.
Al-Qarni added, “The underwater cultural heritage is part of our identity and national history, and protecting it is the responsibility of all of us.”
Al-Qarni praised the German team’s efforts in providing expertise through intensive training, and pointed to the success of the Saudi team in getting diving licenses. This promises to produce specialized archaeologists, and will contribute to the discovery of submerged relics by trained national cadres in the near future. There is a growing interest in underwater archaeology all over the world with a number of universities and scientific institutions involved in the search.
He said that the monuments system, museums and architectural heritage sites are devoted to discovering underwater relics. In addition he highlighted the cooperation between relevant government agencies to preserve the underwater cultural heritage and encourage the immediate reporting of new discoveries.
Reinfeld pointed out that the protection of sunken/underwater monuments depends on several elements, including spreading awareness of the importance of the sunken relics/discoveries by qualified archaeologists, and by adopting scientific procedures that teach how to explore and protect the discoveries as well as the museum’s role in preserving and presenting the items as well as educating the public about them.
There is also a need for laboratories dedicated to the study of archaeological finds under the sea and the way to deal with them scientifically. In this context, she mentioned the Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/912136


In other news in 14 years time (2030) the number of Umrah pilgrims is expected to number 35 million (each year) from the current 8 million. Hajj pilgrims will number around 8 million from the current 2 million. That's a HUGE number when we are only talking about 2 cities. No wonder that the government wants to invest heavily in the tourism sector and give pilgrims the opportunity to combine their Umrah, Hajj with a tourist visit that would allow them to travel freely across the country. Hijaz has a tremendous potential when it comes to tourism. The whole country in fact. Many tourist hotspots across the world only have good weather for a certain amount of time each year but KSA is blessed (if we are talking about beach/marine tourism) with good weather all year around. At least Hijaz is. If only the country would open up more socially, politically and economically there is no telling where the potential could lead to. It's a similar story with most Arab countries.

@alarabi @azzo @Frosty @Full Moon @Falcon29 @BLACKEAGLE @Halimi etc.

 

[Sargon of Akkad]

Some of the over 1500 Saudi Arabian islands:

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Tarout Island, one of the largest islands in the region and with a recorded history spanning some 7000 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarout_Island

Portuguese had a presence on the island for around 150 years. Like in many areas in and around the Red Sea and Gulf.

A quite famous statue of the pagan God Ishtar from the Sumerian (neighboring area) period was found on the island. A farmer found it. Dilmun, Magan and other civilizations in Eastern Arabia were very close to neighboring Sumer or even in some fields extensions of each other. Many historians and experts believe that Sumerians themselves came from neighboring Eastern Arabia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Arabia#History

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer

Article in Arabic about the finding. Amazing what kind of heritage that you can find in our part of the world. Nowhere else can such things of this age be found at this rate. We are talking about a statue that is almost 5000 years old.

http://www.alsharq.net.sa/2014/05/04/1134854​

 

[Sargon of Akkad]

Dramatic Sunrise by Mohammed Swidah, on Flickr

KAUST aerial view by LIK BATON BOOT, on Flickr

Farasan Islands by Rodney Wilson, on Flickr

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All this wasted potential. For how much longer will this occur before sanity prevails?

 

[Al-Andalus]

A few resorts in Khobar:

Ras Tanura:

Aramco camp next to the beach:

The tropical Red Sea waters and coastline:

Largely completely unspoiled and home to the second largest coral reefs in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Saudi Arabian Red Sea coastline is almost 2000 km long.

@Malik Alashter so when are you going to visit again? I promise you that you won't encounter many "Wahhabis" (Hanbalis) along the Red Sea coastline in mainly Hijaz or the coastal regions of the Eastern Province.
You will have to do with mainly us Shafi'is, Malikis and fellow Twelvers.

@500 will we ever see (one peace prevails in the region) Saudi Arabian-Israeli cooperation in the Red Sea (as territorial neighbors) and in regards to the conversation of the Red Sea? Maybe the tourism sector as well? After all you can see KSA from Eilat and Israel from Haql and vice versa.

 

[Al-Andalus]

44 different shark species can be found in the tropical waters of the Red Sea​

List of sharks in the Red Sea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Al Wadj Bank, Saudi Arabia (NASA, International Space Station Science, 12/30/07) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr


Tabuk area منطقة تبوك by tabuk تبوك, on Flickr

Resort in the ancient coastal Hijazi city of Yanbu
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Farasan Islands:

The Red Sea home to the second largest coral reef in the world and one of the richest marine environments. Likewise the only tropical sea this far north.

KSA is also home to over 1500 islands. This is an example of 1 such island. Tabuk Province. A stunning video.

There is a tremendous tourism potential on this front but sadly it is not fulfilled for various reasons. Likewise great beach weather is guaranteed all year round. Few tourist spots can offer that. Not to say the longest Red Sea coastline (almost 2000 km) which is moreover not as densely populated as other coastlines in the world. I hope that we will be able to welcome millions of tourists in the future on a yearly basis when the necessary investments, infrastructure and changes (political and social) occur. Although the future Hajj and Umrah numbers alone would turn KSA into the top 10 of most visited countries (if not top 5) automatically but the focus should not only be on Muslim tourists or in particular religious pilgrims but everyone that has money they can spend. Let the resorts of KSA, on the Red Sea for instance, be overrun by Mongols, Eskimos and Papuans for all I care.

Speaking about tourism:

http://saudigazette.com.sa/business/movenpick-hotel-city-star-jeddah-operational/

 

[Al-Andalus]

Farasan islands

A sea turtle:

Block of corals:

Some beach in Southern Hijaz:

southern coast by Saud Ashamsan, on Flickr

Traditional boats near Dammam

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Corniche mosque in Jeddah. I like the design.

Corniche Mosque by ali, on Flickr

A shark near the Farasan Islands. Sharks are actually harmless if you do not bother them.

 

[Al-Andalus]

IMG_5470 by Roberto Catanzaro, on Flickr



Beach next to an ancient settlement/ruins near Haql.

Tabuk area منطقة تبوك by tabuk تبوك, on Flickr

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Saudia has the world most unspoiled beaches in world crystal clear waters

Would have been had they allowed tourist and some reduction in their laws for beach attire

 

[Al-Andalus]

Beach in Jeddah:

Jubail:

https://twitter.com/x/status/714431827780509696

Yanbu:

Saudia has the world most unspoiled beaches in world crystal clear waters

Would have been had they allowed tourist and some reduction in their laws for beach attire

Give it a few years and that wonderland will be used correctly. I am very hopeful.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Saudis is sitting on Gold mind with views like this such unspoiled beauty

Saudia can gain Billions from Tourism only if it enhances its rules and regulations for tourist or visitors like UAE etc specially for foreigners and tourist zones

Personal favourite

I must admit this part of Saudia I never remotely seen due to lack of advertisement

However if Saudi Government can just rebrand and become a bit more open
similar like UAE , I am sure this is a multi billion dollar economy for Saudia but they will need to change policies to attract diverse toursist to visit

 

[Safriz]

I been to Shuqaiq in western Suadia. hecoral refs are healthy and host plenty of colorful fish and it's Muslim friendly without those Bikini clad mases on he lose while drunk.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Marine life flourishing around Manifa complex offshore Saudi Arabia
01/05/2017

(Courtesy Saudi Aramco)

Offshore staff

DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia – Work to protect the ecosystem around the offshore Manifa oil field has been successful, according to operator Saudi Aramco.

The company staged a recent update session at the Center for Environment and Water at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Manifa, which started production in 2013, has the capacity to deliver 900,000 b/d of Arabian heavy crude oil. However, Manifa Bay is also one of the leading fish and shrimp nurseries on the Gulf Coast.

Aramco, working with the university, devised an innovative development plan for the largely shallow-water field involving man-made islands housing production facilities.

Computerized modeling of the 27 drilling islands, connected by a 42-km (26-mi) causeway and 14 bridges to allow natural water circulation at Manifa Bay, shows the arrangement has enhanced the natural flow of water, Aramco claims, maintaining the bay as a healthy environment for shrimp and fish to breed.

During design, construction, and dredging on the islands, the project adhered to strict environmental policies and standards concerning marine measures. These included placement and configuration of causeway islands so as to avoid impacting coral reefs, while at the same time fulfilling requirements for drilling and oil production.

According to Mohammed H. Al-Ghamdi, manager of the Manifa Producing Department, dissolved oxygen rates in the surrounding seawater are higher than before construction started, which explains the benefits for fish and shrimp larvae.

The coral reefs have grown in size and seem to be spreading onto the rocks of the Manifa causeway itself. In addition, seagrass meadows have increased, covering a 70% greater area than before construction.

Consultant Khaled A. Abdulkader, also speaking at the event, said Aramco made many modifications to the Manifa project’s design, including removing the northwestern portion of the causeway and building bridges in other parts of the causeway to increase tidal circulation; introducing zero discharge of drilling wastes, through cutting reinjection and “skip and ship” to safer onshore locations; and the plantation of mangrove forests, construction of shrimp nurseries and of artificial reefs to revitalize marine life after construction was complete.

The initial plans for a causeway would have slowed the “flush rate” of Manifa Bay to 71 days from the 17-day natural rate, but by opening up the bay with the causeway and bridge design, the flush rate was in fact improved to 15 days.

Today, monitoring data shows the actual flush rate is 11 days, much faster than computer models had projected.

01/05/2017

Reports presented at the Manifa review meeting show that marine health has increased since the project began operations. (Courtesy Saudi Aramco)

http://www.offshore-mag.com/article...und-manifa-complex-offshore-saudi-arabia.html

Qandal Bay, Farasan Islands:

I been to Shuqaiq in western Suadia. hecoral refs are healthy and host plenty of colorful fish and it's Muslim friendly without those Bikini clad mases on he lose while drunk.

Jazan is conservative even for KSA's standards. Beautiful coastline indeed.

Hopefully you visited the tropical Farasan islands. Some of the most amazing coastlines, coral reef and marine life in the world in fact. The Red Sea is famous for this and is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in this regard.