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| Tabuk has an outstanding water and island environment, excellent beaches, some of which are sandy, with very clear blue water and with excellent potential for swimming and diving |
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Al-Wajh Bank includes the Islands off Al-Wajh and Umm Lajj. This area of the Red Sea contains some of the most beautiful underwater destinations in the world.
It also contains important habitats for Dugong, and nesting sites for Green Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle in Saudi Arabian waters.
The landforms which fringe the sea: mangrove thickets, seagrass beds, algal beds, saltmarshes, and uninhabited marine islands provide protected breeding grounds for numerous birds. There are important nesting colonies of Sooty Falcon, Crab Plover, White-eyed Gull, Lesser Crested Tern, and White-cheeked Tern.
It also contains a wide diversity of reef fish, mollusks, and crustacean.
The archipelago has approximately 50 islands, ranging in size from 1ha to 1,100ha. Some are sandy whereas others are rocky with low cliffs, usually less than 5m high. The area has a well developed fishing community.
Diving is only allowed from the mainland shore and no diving is permitted from boats or the islands. Landing boats on islands is not permitted. Boats generally can only be used for fishing, although in some areas families can take out boats for pleasure purposes.
Licenses and permits are required for diving and there are restrictions on where diving can take place. These permits must be obtained in Tabuk City, which is a considerable distance from the coast.
Permission is required to go to the islands, and they are regularly patrolled by the coast guard.
For further information on permissions contact:
National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD)
Tel: +966-(0)1-441 8700
Fax: +966-(0)1-441 0797
mcwcd@zajil.net |
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