UMLOJ: The Maldives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE UMLOJ: “EXPATS IN SAUDIA” found the alternate of Maldives in Saudi Arabia, and it is beautiful.
The Maldives’ magic has been an irreplaceable call for years. This island of paradise remained a bucket-listed destination for many travellers. But for few people, the dream to visit MALDIVES might be challenging. It is because of its high travel expenses.
However, plane tickets and hotel bookings in the Maldives are not getting any cheaper. But “Expats in Saudia” have found a more affordable and closer alternative to MALDIVES in KSA.
Without going out of your budget, you can still enjoy the calm parts of the silky sand and fresh turquoise waters in UMLOJ. Do you know the best part? It is a peaceful, quiet, and beautiful tourism destination. It does not attract huge crowds, but it attracts international attention. So you should visit UMLOJ while it is still a hidden gem!
Visit UMLOJ in Saudi Arabia to learn about a summer trip that is very close to the desired destination of the island. It is your travel guide to Maldives, Saudi Arabia.
WHERE DOES UMLOJ LOCATE IN SAUDI ARABIA?
You will find many beautiful beaches in UMLOJ. It is a city in the Saudi Arabian province of Tabuk, 150 km north of Yanbu and home to more than 100 islands.
Some locals and past travellers have called it the Saudi Maldives, and for a good reason. During snorkelling, you will find white sand, deep crystal blue water and coral reefs.
You can click on the below link to redirect to the location of UMLOJ on GOOGLE MAPS
Here: “UMLOJ”
HOW TO GO TO UMLOJ?
It takes more than 7 hours by car from Tabuk to UMLOJ.
Packages can get found at most domestic travel agents. Yet, the mode of transport varies (By air or By sea).
WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU CAN DO IN UMLOJ?
Let’s find the best in the area with our to-do list.
(1)- BEACH ACTIVITIES:
UMLOJ has no shortage of beach and water activities, with 104 small islands to enjoy. The beaches themselves are perfect for a relaxing stroll. It is also best for book reading in the smooth sand, wavy palms, and quiet environment.
UMLOJ is not popular like other travel destinations in the Red Sea because fewer people know about it. So you will have plenty of space for picnics or beach games such as volleyball. At night, gather your friends and family for a barbecue on the beach under the stars.
(2)- DISCOVER MARINE LIFE:
The warm, clear water makes UMLOK a perfect destination for diving and snorkelling. Here, you’ll find almost “1,200 species of fish” and “300 species of corals” – four times more than in the Caribbean!
- Colourful coral reefs
- Green and hawksbill sea turtles
- Nodi branches
- Dugongs
- Dolphins
NOTE: You can rent a boat and see the secret caves and marvel at the surrounding volcanoes.
(3)- WATCHING BEAUTIFUL BIRDS:
You will find many species of birds in the season and offseason. These migratory birds fly around the beaches to nest and nurture local marine life. Such as following
- Kingfishers
- Cranes
- White-tailed leopards
(4)- EXPLORE NEARBY ISLANDS:
UMLOJ is rich in beautiful islands, fishing grounds and coral reefs. You can travel by boat to visit neighbouring islands such as Jabal Hassan. It will only take over an hour to get there.
- Jabal Hassan gets named after the mountain 200 meters above sea level and spreads up to 7.3 km in every direction.
- UMLOJ was once an ancient passageway for ships sailing between Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.
- On land, you can travel from UMLOJ to the nearby mango fields. Here you can find fresh local fruit.
- A little further on, there is Harat Lonair. It is a cavity of black lava and 50 volcanic cones.
(5)- TAKE A LOOK AT LOCAL HISTORY:
Take a rare peak in the ancient history of Saudi Arabia at the restored UMLOJ Castle (Tabuk Castle). The fort dates back to about 3500 BC, and after that, it gets restored several times over the years.
The province of Tabuk itself is excellent for history buffs. The area is rich in archaeological sites such as palaces, castles and petroglyphs, and antiquities. You will see hundreds of historical rock art and inscriptions from different periods (ancient and Islamic periods).
WHAT ARE THE FACILITIES IN UMLOJ?
You will find a good number of retail, food, entertainment and medical options in practice:
- Supermarkets and small grocery stores.
- Restaurants, cafes, and cafee terraces range from cheap eats to delicious dishes.
- Shopping malls and shopping centres.
- Hotels and other short-stay accommodation.
- Petrol station
- Saudi Post Office
- ATM Machines are also available here
- Farmers market
- Government offices.
- You will find shops that sell a wide range of goods, such as perfume, stationery, candy, etc.
- Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and other medical centres are also available here.