Your guide on a trip to the Maldives of Saudi Arabia.
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Located about 150km away from Yanbu, Umluj is a small seaside town of exceptional beauty. It is no wonder that it has been frequently dubbed the “Maldives of Saudi Arabia.” With its pristine beaches, clear waters, and rich biodiversity, Umluj has everything you’d want from a beach getaway, and then some. Here are a few things you can see, do, and eat in Umluj.
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→ GETTING THERE
Local flight:
Saudia, Flyadeal, FlyNas
Flight duration:
Riyadh – Umluj (2 hours)
Jeddah – Umluj (1.5 hours)
By Car:
Riyadh – Umluj (12.5 hours)
Jeddah – Umluj (5 hours)
→ SEE
1. Beaches and Corniches
Umluj has no shortage of beautiful beaches and corniches, all giving visitors the opportunity to take some beautiful Red Sea views. Corniches include the two-kilometer Umluj Corniche, located to the south of Umluj, with shaded areas that provide relief from the sun. There are also numerous beaches, such as Al-Daqam Beach and Park, that are well equipped for children; sections of this beach are soft and sandy, shaded with beautiful palm trees, and filled with playgrounds.
2. Umluj Castle
This castle was built during the Ottoman Era in the 1500s and has been restored many times. Constructed mainly of limestone, the building has two floors and provides awonderful took into Ottoman-age architecture.
3. The Old City
If you want to get a feel of the rich history of Umluj, head to the old city. With a great view of the beach, visitors will also be able to see the old architecture of the city-consisting of buildings made from stone bricks, and wooden windows and doors-and wander through an old market.
→ DO
1. Swimming and Diving
Umlujis surrounded by clear, shallow waters and thriving, colorful coral reefs, making it a fantastic place to go swimming and diving. Visit Sharm AlHassa, located about 15km south, for a good place to swim and dive. You can get your diving equipment at the Umtuj Diving Center, which also offers diving tours and courses.
Umluj Diving Center Details:
Location: Umluj Diver Center; Bilal Ibn Rabah, Al Batha, Umluj 48312
Tel: +966-547022488
Email: Mohammad.moustafa445@gmail.com
Twitter: mohamed28651467
2. Birdwatching
Located on the route of many migratory birds, Umluj is a great place for any birdwatching enthusiast. One notable place to visit is Hassan Mountain Island, located about 30km from the Umluj coast. Due to its environment. it is a breeding ground for many migratory birds, and as a result, provides rich opportunity for any birdwatcher.
3. Boat Rides
There are a large number of unique natural islands in Umtlj-about 104 of them in total. Each island is beautiful, covered in soft white sand, and surrounded by turquoise waters. The best way to experience these islands is to head to the Umluj Port, organize a boat ride with one of the operators there, and spend about half a day touring the waters around the islands. Be sure to peer into the water-you’ll see colorful coral reefs and a diverse array of fish.
→ EAT
1.Seafood
With its proximity to the Red Sea, it is unsurprising that Umluj offers some of the best seafood options. Head to one of the many local seafood restaurants in the town and indulge in some of the freshest fish you’ll ever have.
2. Mangos
For some locally grown fruit, head to the mango farms located in eastern Umluj.In addition to having the opportunity to sample some freshly picked mangoes, the farms themselves are beautiful and quite an interesting place to tour.
→ STAY
Royal Tours Pennanent Camp
This tented camp offers visitors an authentic Bedouin experience, from tented accommodations to campfires. The camp also arranges tours, including boat trips and excursions to nearby dormant volcanoes. Rooms can be easily booked online on sites such as Booking.com and Tripadvisor.
Royal Tours Permanent Camp Details:
Location: 5th Street, Umluj
Web: royal-tours-permanent-camp.hatels-saudi-arabia.com
