Saudi Arabia’s new frontier of calm reefs and desert-to-sea landscapes — ideal for relaxed family exploration.
NEOM’s Island Gateways to Saudi Arabia’s Northern Reefs
At the far north of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba narrows into a corridor of luminous water, wind-carved mountains, and coral gardens that edge right up to the desert. This 12-day passage traces Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk coastline — from Sindalah’s new superyacht hub to quiet anchorages beneath sandstone escarpments and palm-fringed springs near Magna. Days move to a gentle cadence of reef dives, paddleboard drifts, and tender runs into canyons; nights are still, starlit, and scented with desert air. Short hops, protected seas, and world-class clarity make this a refined, elemental voyage on the Kingdom’s northern frontier.
Day 1 – Sindalah Embarkation (NEOM)
Board at Sindalah’s marina and meet the crew over fresh juices and dates. After a safety brief, make a short shakedown cruise along the island’s leeward reefs. Sunset swim in crystalline water, then a welcome dinner on deck as the desert hills glow rose-gold.
Day 2 – Sindalah Reefs & Coral Ledges
Easy morning over coral shelves alive with anthias and butterflyfish. Your naturalist introduces Red Sea coral ecology and long-term warming resilience. Lunch underway; late-afternoon paddleboard session in a perfectly protected cove. Night at anchor under a spill of stars.
Day 3 – Ras Suwayhil Headlands
Follow the basalt-capped coast south to Ras Suwayhil (≈18 nm). Rugged lava terraces drop to turquoise shallows ideal for drift-snorkelling. Go ashore with your geologist to read the coastline’s volcanic story in the rock. Dinner is a charcoal grill on the aft deck.
Day 4 – Haql & the Georgios G Wreck
Cruise to Haql (≈12 nm). Snorkel the photogenic Georgios G freighter resting in meters-deep water off the beach — a striking contrast of rust and coral life. Stroll the palm-lined waterfront or take a tender run along honey-coloured cliffs before a calm overnight.
Day 5 – Northern Fjords & Eagle Lookouts
Short hop to a pocket bay beneath high escarpments (≈10 nm). Kayak along the cliff base as ospreys circle overhead. Optional line-fishing in the late afternoon; the chef turns the catch into a citrus-and-sumac crudo.
Day 6 – Ras al-Sheikh Hamid (Land’s End)
Turn the bow toward the gulf’s mouth (≈16 nm). Sand spits and pale lagoons give a sense of arrival at the edge of two seas. Glass-calm morning for SUP; afternoon beach setup with shade, cold press juices, and dune walks as the wind freshens.
Day 7 – Wadi Tayyib Ism & Magna Springs
Anchor off a sandy crescent and tender inland to the dramatic slit of Wadi Tayyib Ism — a cool, shadowed gorge slicing through sandstone to the sea. Continue to Magna (≈14 nm) to visit date palms and coastal springs where fresh water meets reef flats. Sundowners beneath the palms; overnight in a quiet roadstead.
Day 8 – Magna Coral Gardens
Two-tank dive day over stepped drop-offs and coral buttresses frequented by turtles and jacks. Non-divers join the naturalist for a reef-slope snorkel and ID session. Picnic lunch from the beach setup; siesta in deck shade as the afternoon breeze builds.
Day 9 – Coastal Coves & Desert Trails
Retrace a scenic stretch north (≈15 nm) to a secluded cove with a shallow lagoon. Short, guided desert trail reveals fossil beds and wind-etched tafoni. Evening astronomy on the bow — laser-guided tour of the southern sky.
Day 10 – Tabuk Cliffs & Sandbar Anchorages
Hop between pale-sand anchorages (≈12 nm total). The tender scouts a sandbar for a barefoot lunch and kite-line flying in steady NW breeze. Golden-hour photography from the drone captures reef geometry and long desert shadows.
Day 11 – Return to Sindalah
Unhurried passage back toward Sindalah (≈20 nm), pausing for one last swim above luminous coral fingers. Chef’s tasting menu celebrates the voyage — Red Sea prawns, grilled hammour, and spiced saffron rice — paired with zero-proof infusions.
Day 12 – Disembarkation (Sindalah)
Breakfast on deck as the marina comes alive. Farewells with the crew and seamless transfers onward within NEOM or Tabuk.
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