Umluj Governorate

Umluj Governorate is a coastal governorate in the Tabuk Province, northwest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the targeted locations to become a global tourist destination and an investment area in the Kingdom by 2022. Umluj includes an archipelago of 103 pristine islands on the Red Sea coast. 

Umluj Governorate is bordered to the north by al-Wajh city and to the south by Yanbu. Its western part overlooks the Red Sea.

Umluj is the second most populous governorate in the Tabuk Province. It spans an area of approximately 16,000 km² and has a population of 69,656 residents, according to the latest official statistics in 2022. 

Umluj is considered a tourism development destination in the Kingdom, and within its boundaries lies a part of the Red Sea Project, one of the significant initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030. The project is dedicated to making the region a global gateway to explore the riches of the Red Sea. Umluj's beaches are recognized as prime spots for diving and snorkeling. They are rich in coral reefs, with an estimated two hundred different types of corals, and inhabited by around 1,200 fish species. This makes Umluj a preferred destination for diving enthusiasts both from within the Kingdom and abroad.

The natural landscapes are the main tourist attractions in Umluj. These include palm trees spread along the pristine beaches in Ras al-Shabaan and al-Duqm, the white sands on the coast, and mango farms. Additionally, there is Jabal Hassan Island, the largest island in the Tabuk Province in the Red Sea. The island is renowned for its varied mountain terrains and diverse marine life. Green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, dolphins, and dugongs inhabit it. Moreover, it serves as a station for migratory birds, the most notable of which are the common crane, the kingfisher, and the lapwing.

In the interior parts of Umluj lies Harrat Lunayyir, a field of volcanic craters and cones, currently considered one of the most prominent tourist landmarks in the region. 

For the development of Umluj Governorate, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, issued a royal decree in 2021 to establish an authority for the development of Yanbu, Umluj, al-Wajh, and Duba.