The Saudi waters of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf harbor some of the region's richest marine biodiversity, supporting thousands of species, including hundreds of corals, fish, and marine mammals. Under Saudi Vision 2030, national authorities continue to advance environmental sustainability and the blue economy through marine protected areas, coral restoration, species protection, and specialized research.
Spanning roughly 1,830 kilometers from Haql to Jazan, the Saudi Red Sea coast hosts over 300 coral species and more than 1,000 fish species. This foundational ecosystem supports the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy, launched in December 2024 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to protect regional marine habitats, empower local communities, and diversify the national economy.
A Natural Treasure Within Saudi Waters
According to the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), Saudi waters form integrated ecosystems of coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, sea turtles, sharks, rays, seabirds, and marine mammals such as dugongs, dolphins, and whales. The area also serves as a living laboratory for international research on climate adaptation. Supporting this biodiversity, NCW regularly releases rehabilitated seabirds along the coast, including recent releases along the Jeddah Corniche.
The Saudi Red Sea holds the world's fourth-largest coral reef system, representing approximately 6.2% of global reefs. It contains more than 310 coral species, including 270 hard coral varieties, recognized globally for their exceptional thermal resilience. In parallel, the Saudi Red Sea Authority regulates coastal tourism to foster economic investment while safeguarding natural ecosystems.
Rare Geological and Biological Treasures
Saudi territorial waters contain rare geological formations known as "blue holes," with exploratory expeditions identifying at least 10 biodiverse, deep-water sites.
In 2025, the Cabinet approved adding the Blue Holes and Ras Hatiba reserves to the national protected area network, expanding the Kingdom's protected marine areas to 16.1% of its territorial waters.
Silent Guardians of the Sea
Mangroves and coral reefs form critical coastal barriers against erosion, currents, and storms. The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has planted 52 million mangrove trees along Saudi coastlines, targeting 100 million seedlings by 2030.
NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban highlighted that mangroves act as essential carbon sinks, shoreline buffers, and nurseries for fish and marine invertebrates. The center maintains continuous field monitoring across mangroves, seagrasses, and coral habitats to guide evidence-based preservation.
Farasan Islands: A Global Environmental Gem
The Farasan Islands Protected Area encompasses coral reefs, mangroves, estuaries, and coastal flats, serving as a haven for endangered species and migratory birds. The reserve is designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, listed on UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, and inscribed on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.
Farasan diver Ahmed Ali noted that the pristine waters attract eco-tourists and yacht expeditions, while diving instructor Abdulaziz Al-Wabil highlighted premier diving destinations such as Yanbu and the southern corridors between Al-Lith and Al-Qunfudhah, where divers encounter dolphins, sharks, and marine wildlife.
To safeguard vulnerable habitats, the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) operates dedicated rehabilitation initiatives, including coral nurseries in Jeddah that cultivate, monitor, and re-transplant colonies into damaged zones with the help of local divers.
A Journey with a Saudi Sea Turtle
The Red Sea supports five global sea turtle species, with green and hawksbill turtles actively nesting along Saudi shores. SHAMS recorded the largest nesting site in Saudi waters on the Four Sisters islands, documenting over 2,500 nests, in addition to 180 other coastal nesting locations.
NCW documented rare leatherback turtle sightings and operates rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs across both the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. Coastal resident Zahra Al-Ali recalled local sea journeys characterized by diving with sea turtles and watching dolphins navigate nearby waters.
Saudi waters also serve as a migration corridor for marine mammals, with regular NCW sightings of Bryde's whales in the Farasan Islands indicating robust habitat health. Guided by ongoing scientific surveys, the Kingdom's conservation initiatives protect these strategic marine systems as vital natural heritage for future generations.