Scribble

<strong>Coast of discovery: </strong>Saudi Arabia is touting its Red Sea coast as one of the world's next great travel discoveries, pouring huge investment into what it says are environmentally friendly resorts and travel experiences.

Coast of discovery: Saudi Arabia is touting its Red Sea coast as one of the world's next great travel discoveries, pouring huge investment into what it says are environmentally friendly resorts and travel experiences.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Culture and relaxation: </strong>As well as world-class luxury hotels, resorts and aquatic pursuits, there'll be cultural attractions too. Pictured here is the AMAALA Cultural Village, which will host Arabic and International arts events.

Culture and relaxation: As well as world-class luxury hotels, resorts and aquatic pursuits, there'll be cultural attractions too. Pictured here is the AMAALA Cultural Village, which will host Arabic and International arts events.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Miles and miles: </strong>Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast stretches for more than 1,000 miles from the northern border with Jordan to Yemen in the south. Much of it is undeveloped.

Miles and miles: Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast stretches for more than 1,000 miles from the northern border with Jordan to Yemen in the south. Much of it is undeveloped.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Out of the blue: </strong>Shura Island will act as a hub, featuring 11 low-rise resorts, designed to look like coral washed up on the beach.

Out of the blue: Shura Island will act as a hub, featuring 11 low-rise resorts, designed to look like coral washed up on the beach.

Red Sea Global

<strong>Divers' paradise:</strong> The area is seen as ripe for exploration by leisure divers. "This is really exciting to see this opening up to the world," says Firas Jundi, regional manager of the Middle East for PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

Divers' paradise: The area is seen as ripe for exploration by leisure divers. "This is really exciting to see this opening up to the world," says Firas Jundi, regional manager of the Middle East for PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Plenty to do: </strong>Developers say the area will feature boutique resorts offering a wealth of water sports and other activities including arts, culture and education based around the sea, the desert, the dunes and the mountains.

Plenty to do: Developers say the area will feature boutique resorts offering a wealth of water sports and other activities including arts, culture and education based around the sea, the desert, the dunes and the mountains.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Clear blue waters: </strong>"When you get to the shore you see it is pristine, untouched, with clear visibility, like a huge swimming pool full of fish," says diving expert Firas Jundi. "This has not been a diving destination so you can imagine how protected the coral is."

Clear blue waters: "When you get to the shore you see it is pristine, untouched, with clear visibility, like a huge swimming pool full of fish," says diving expert Firas Jundi. "This has not been a diving destination so you can imagine how protected the coral is."

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Watery attractions: </strong>"I challenge anyone not to look at that water and ask the question, 'how can I go into it, under it, over it?' - they're going to want to be a part of it," says Rosanna Chopra, the executive director of destination development for Red Sea Global.

Watery attractions: "I challenge anyone not to look at that water and ask the question, 'how can I go into it, under it, over it?' - they're going to want to be a part of it," says Rosanna Chopra, the executive director of destination development for Red Sea Global.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Art experiences:</strong> A rendering shows art installations in one of the new developments along the Red Sea coast.

Art experiences: A rendering shows art installations in one of the new developments along the Red Sea coast.

Courtesy Amaala

<strong>Changing scenery: </strong>The Red Sea project, between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh, will develop 22 of the 90 islands, and will be powered by 100% renewable energy, says the developer.

Changing scenery: The Red Sea project, between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh, will develop 22 of the 90 islands, and will be powered by 100% renewable energy, says the developer.

Courtesy Amaala