Luxurious and Sustainable: NEOM's Shushah Island to Feature World's Largest Coral Garden and Underwater Museum

Posted on Apr 03, 2023 at 10:04 PM

NEOM, Saudi Arabia, has recently announced its proposal to establish an extravagant island retreat with the world's most extensive coral garden, states a report by Hotelier Middle East. The report mentions that Shushah Island, situated in the Red Sea, will showcase an array of amenities such as a marina, hotels, villas, a beach club, a museum, and a coral garden that comprises a research centre and a nursery.

The latest imagery of Shushah Island at NEOM reveals that the museum will be underwater, providing visitors with an extraordinary and immersive experience. NEOM Airlines is scheduled to launch in 2024 and plans to offer visa-free travel. The floating marina will comprise 43 berths and two aeroplane docks. The hotels on the island will include a 300-key, standalone hotel that will be 200 meters high, an "upper upscale boutique hotel" with 60 keys, and a luxury boutique hotel with 70 keys. Additionally, villas and village apartments will provide further accommodation options.

The project's centrepiece is the coral garden, scheduled for completion in 2025. The project aligns with NEOM's commitment to developing in harmony with nature and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable relationship between humans and the planet. Upon completion, the coral reef scape will offer a research and development opportunity for coral preservation and attract international scientists, researchers, and eco-conscious travellers. The coral nurseries will be the world's largest repository for Red Sea species, utilizing innovative technology developed by scientists at KAUST's Maritechture Technologies and the university's Red Sea Research Center and Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab.

NEOM views the project as a "bold landmark" of regenerative tourism, showcasing the island's innovative efforts to protect and renovate coral reefs and speed up solutions to maintain them amidst climate change. In addition, Shushah Island is poised to become a super-luxury island hotspot, complementing the Sindalah Island project and attracting eco-conscious travellers seeking a unique and sustainable travel experience.

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