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A hawksbill turtle over a coral reef in the Saudi Red Sea

Home›Destinations›Saudi Arabia›Umluj

Saudi Arabia

Umluj Travel: The Red Sea Islands of Saudi Arabia

Umluj travel means turquoise lagoons, white-sand islands and coral reefs on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, a seascape so pristine it is often called the Maldives of Saudi Arabia. The small fishing town is also a gateway to The Red Sea, the Kingdom's new collection of luxury island and desert resorts.

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At a glance

Umluj at a glance

Coast
Saudi Red Sea, between Yanbu and Al Wajh
Islands
Dozens offshore, many uninhabited
Nearest airport
Red Sea International (RSI)
Nearby resorts
The Red Sea destination, open
Best months
October to May
Signature
Island boat trips and reefs

From the United States

Umluj for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports
Tourist eVisa or visa on arrival; up to 90 days per visit on a 1-year multiple-entry visa; about US$130–145 incl. insurance. Visa details
Getting there
Nonstop to Riyadh from New York and Washington on Saudia (about 12 hr 15 min from New York); Jeddah from New York on Saudia (about 11 hr 45 min from New York). All nonstops
Time difference
7 hours ahead of New York (8 in the US winter)
Money
Saudi riyal, pegged to the dollar: US$1 = SAR 3.75. Cards and Apple Pay almost everywhere.
Power plugs
Type G (the British three-pin), 230 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend
Friday and Saturday

Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.

Why go to Umluj

Umluj is a quiet coastal town on the northern Red Sea, about halfway between Jeddah and NEOM. Offshore lies a scattering of low islands and sandbars ringed by reefs, with water shading from jade to deep blue. Many are uninhabited, and a day spent hopping between them by boat is one of the simplest pleasures in the Kingdom.

Umluj sits at the edge of The Red Sea, Red Sea Global's regenerative tourism destination, which spans a lagoon archipelago, dormant volcanoes and desert canyons. Several of its resorts are now open, and Red Sea International Airport makes the region easy to reach.

Clear turquoise water lapping a rocky limestone shore on the Red Sea coast at Umluj, Saudi Arabia.
Photo: Richard Mortel · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Things to do in Umluj

Island-hopping by boat

Off Umluj

Local captains run day trips to sandbars and islands with powder-white beaches and shallow lagoons. Bring shade, water and snorkeling gear, and plan for a swim at every stop.

Snorkeling and diving

Umluj reefs

Healthy coral, reef fish and turtles thrive in these clear, lightly visited waters. Dive centers in the town and at the resorts arrange trips; see our diving and outdoors guide.

Umluj Corniche and old town

Umluj

A seafront promenade, fishing harbor and traditional coral-stone buildings give a sense of the town's maritime past. Grilled fish by the water is the local specialty.

Desert and volcanic landscapes

Inland from the coast

Within reach are sand dunes, canyons and ancient lava fields, explored on guided drives from the resorts of The Red Sea.

Where to stay

Umluj town has simple local hotels; for luxury, stay at the open resorts of The Red Sea destination nearby. All are five-star.

Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea

★★★★★ The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

The destination's first resort, opened in 2023: villas inspired by Nabataean architecture set among desert dunes, with a deep focus on wellness.

Official site ↗

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort

★★★★★ Ummahat Island, The Red Sea

Overwater and beach villas on a private island, opened in 2024, with butler service and fine dining.

Official site ↗

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

★★★★★ Blue Hole islands, The Red Sea

An intimate resort of overwater and beach villas, opened in 2024, among the most exclusive stays in the Kingdom.

Official site ↗

Shebara

★★★★★ Sheybarah Island, The Red Sea

Futuristic reflective-steel overwater villas, opened in 2024, set above coral reefs in the open sea.

Official site ↗

Desert Rock

★★★★★ The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

A resort carved into a granite mountain, opened in late 2024, with dramatic villas looking over a desert wadi.

Official site ↗
More to come

Shura Island resorts

★★★★★ Shura Island, The Red Sea

The destination's main island hub, where The Red Sea EDITION, SLS The Red Sea, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort, Miraval The Red Sea, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island and Raffles The Red Sea have opened, with further resorts scheduled to follow.

Official site ↗

Getting there

From the US, Saudia flies nonstop to Riyadh and Jeddah from several American gateways, and Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad connect easily through their Gulf hubs; see our guide to nonstop flights from the US. From Riyadh or Jeddah, domestic flights reach Red Sea International Airport (RSI), which also has international links from cities including Dubai and Doha. Resorts arrange transfers by road, seaplane or boat. By car, Umluj is roughly a five-hour drive north of Jeddah along the coastal highway, and the old port city of Yanbu is about two hours south.

US passport holders can apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa, typically approved quickly; the fee, including mandatory medical insurance, is roughly US$130–145 (approximate).

Best time to visit

October to May is best, with warm sea temperatures and comfortable days; winter is ideal for diving and island picnics. Summer is hot and humid but brings calm seas, and the resorts remain open year-round.

Weather

Umluj weather by month

Average day highs, night lows, sea temperature and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.

Umluj weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthDay highNight lowSeaRainy days
°F°C°F°C°F°C
Jan76°24°61°16°74°23°1
Feb77°25°60°16°72°22°1
Mar82°28°65°18°75°24°0
Apr87°31°71°22°79°26°1
May92°34°76°24°83°28°0
Jun96°36°80°27°87°31°0
Jul97°36°82°28°90°32°0
Aug98°36°83°29°92°33°0
Sep97°36°82°28°88°31°0
Oct92°34°77°25°84°29°0
Nov85°30°70°21°81°27°1
Dec80°27°64°18°77°25°2

Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Sea temperatures: 2023–2024. Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Questions travelers ask

Why is Umluj called the Maldives of Saudi Arabia?

Its offshore islands, white sand and turquoise lagoons resemble the Maldives, though the coast is far quieter and the reefs lightly visited.

Can I visit the islands without staying at a resort?

Yes. Local boat operators in Umluj run island day trips; the private resort islands, however, are for hotel guests only.

Is alcohol served at the Red Sea resorts?

Follow current Saudi law and resort policies; ask your resort directly. The resorts offer superb non-alcoholic menus and mocktail programs.

Which island resort is best for couples?

Nujuma and The St. Regis are both outstanding for privacy; see our finest resorts in the region for comparisons.

Living and investing

The Red Sea and Red Sea Global's wider projects are transforming this coast; follow the story on our Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate page.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for Saudi Arabia. See the advice ↗

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