Shura Island

Last updated
Shura Island
Native name:
جزيرة شورى
Shura Island in 2020.jpg
NASA photograph of Shura
Saudi Arabia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shura Island
Geography
Location Red Sea
Coordinates 25°30′15″N36°57′27″E / 25.50417°N 36.95750°E / 25.50417; 36.95750
Area5.6 km2 (2.2 sq mi) [1]
Administration
Province Tabuk
Demographics
PopulationUninhabited
Additional information
Time zone
  • Arabian Standard Time (UTC+3)

Shura Island, also known as Shurayrah, [1] is an uninhabited island in the Red Sea coast of Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia. [2] Shura is the main island of The Red Sea Project, a tourism megaproject that is being constructed on a 92-island archipelago off the Red Sea coast. [3]

Contents

Location

The 5.6 km2 island is located on the west coast of Saudi Arabia between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh, 0.9 nautical miles off the coast. The island is one of 92 islands that lie within an archipelago in Al Wajh lagoon, a pristine 2,081 km2 area that includes valuable habitats (coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves) and species of global conservation importance. [2]

The island's natural shape has been described as resembling the outline of a dolphin. [4]

Background

Shura is home to "Coral Bloom", The Red Sea Project's most ambitious construction design. Coral bloom includes hotels from 11 different brands. [5] Coral Bloom was designed by the London-based architecture firm Foster and Partners.

In addition, the island includes Saudi Arabia's first 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. [6] The 7,500 yard course was designed by Brian Curley, with the clubhouse designed by Foster + Partners and is expected to open in 2025. [7]

Shura is linked to the mainland by Saudi Arabia's longest water bridge, which stretches a total of 1.2 km. [8] The bridge was designed and constructed by Athens-based construction firm Archirodon. [9]

History

Concept image of Coral Bloom project in The Red Sea Project Coral Bloom Concept.jpg
Concept image of Coral Bloom project in The Red Sea Project

Shura island remained uninhabited and undeveloped for most of its history until a plan to develop the red sea coast of the Saudi Arabia was announced in July 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the kingdom's tourism sector. [10] The island is developed by Red Sea Global, previously "The Red Sea Development Company", which is one of the various companies owned by the Public Investment Fund. [11]

List of hotels

Shura is home to different hotels from various brands. The following is a list of all 11 hotels on Shura Island:

HotelManagerCapacityRef
Grand Hyatt The Red Sea Hyatt 430 keys [12]
Four Seasons Resort Red Sea at Shura Island Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 149 keys [13]
Faena The Red SeaFaena (Accor)150 keys [14]
Fairmont Red Sea Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (Accor)200 keys [15]
The Red Sea EditionEdition Hotels (Marriott International)240 keys [15]
InterContinental The Red Sea InterContinental (IHG Hotels & Resorts)210 keys [15]
Raffles The Red Sea Raffles Hotels & Resorts (Accor)200 keys [15]
Jumeirah The Red Sea Jumeirah (hotel chain) 159 keys [15]
Rosewood The Red Sea Rosewood Hotel Group 200 keys [15]
Miraval The Red SeaMiraval Resorts (Hyatt)180 keys [15]
SLS The Red SeaSLS Hotels (Accor)153 keys [15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "المملكة العربية السعودية: أرقام وحقائق" [Saudi Arabia: Numbers and Facts](PDF) (in Arabic). Saudi Geological Survey. 2012. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
  2. 1 2 Chalastani, Vasiliki I.; Manetos, Panos; Al-Suwailem, Abdulaziz M.; Hale, Jason A.; Vijayan, Abhishekh P.; Pagano, John; Williamson, Ian; Henshaw, Scott D.; Albaseet, Raed; Butt, Faisal; Brainard, Russell E.; Coccossis, Harry; Tsoukala, Vasiliki K.; Duarte, Carlos M. (2020). "Reconciling Tourism Development and Conservation Outcomes Through Marine Spatial Planning for a Saudi Giga-Project in the Red Sea (The Red Sea Project, Vision 2030)". Frontiers in Marine Science. 7. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.00168 . hdl: 10754/662629 .
  3. ↑ "Saudi Arabia's crown prince launches 'Coral Bloom' luxury Red Sea project". arabnews.com. Arab News. 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  4. ↑ Aditi, Rane (2025-01-18). "The incredible £3bn island that's shaped like a dolphin and rammed with 11 luxury resorts". express.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Bea (2021-02-11). "TRSDC launches 'Coral Bloom' at Red Sea Project". blooloop.com. blooloop. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  6. ↑ Fatima, Sakina (2024-05-06). "Saudi Arabia to open unique golf destination 'Shura Links' in 2025". Siasat. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  7. ↑ "Red Sea Global unveils Shura Links golf course designs". Arab News. 2024-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  8. ↑ "TRSDC completes construction of Shurayrah, longest water bridge in Saudi Arabia". Saudi Gazette. 2022-08-07. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  9. ↑ "Shurayrah Bridge, Red Sea Development". e-architect. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  10. ↑ "Saudi crown prince launches mega Red Sea tourism project". arabnews.com. Arab News. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  11. ↑ "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince announces the launch of The Red Sea Project as an international tourist destination as part of the Kingdom's 2030 Vision". pif.gov.sa. Public Investment Fund. 2017-07-31. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  12. ↑ Corder, Josh. "Hyatt to open largest hotel on Red Sea's Shurayrah Island". hoteliermiddleeast.com. Hotelier. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  13. ↑ "arabnews.com". arabnews.com. Arab News. 2023-10-24. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  14. ↑ "Faena the Red Sea hotel to open in Saudi Arabia". globetrender.com. Globe Tender. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Corder, Josh (2023-06-29). "Every hotel and resort coming to The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia". hoteliermiddleeast.com. Hotelier. Retrieved 2025-05-02.
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