Umluj
Saudi Arabia · Tabuk · 5 m
Description
Umluj is a small Red Sea fishing town with about a hundred low islands scattered off its coast, white sand on shallow turquoise water over live coral. Saudis call it the Maldives of Saudi Arabia and it is now the country's main domestic beach destination outside Jeddah. Boat operators run day trips out to the sandbars and the reef edges, dolphins are common in the channels, and the mainland beaches south of town are long and almost empty. There is very little else here, which is the point.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 4 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: October – May
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Island boat trips to the Umluj sandbars
- Snorkelling on the fringing coral reefs
- Umluj Corniche and its town beach
- Ras Al Shabaan beach
- Dolphin watching in the island channels
- Fish market and grilled Red Sea catch
- Diving the Umluj reef drop-offs
- Beach camping on the empty southern shore
- Al Wajh old town and its coral-stone houses(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- EJH