Saudi Arabia Recently Found a Coral Colony That Rivals the World’s Largest—and It’s Around 400 to 800 Years Old
A massive coral colony has recently been discovered off the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia, and it’s already making waves. Found within the waters of AMAALA, this massive coral formation could become a major draw for tourists.
But beyond its potential as a new attraction, this discovery also holds important ecological insights. Here’s what you need to know about this remarkable find.
Giant Coral Colony in AMAALA Rivals World’s Largest Coral Formation
On April 27, 2025, the Red Sea Global (RSG) exploration team measured the coral’s footprint and matched it against the current world record—a 32 by 34-meter colony in the Pacific.
Finding a similar size here makes it the largest Pavona colony ever documented in the Red Sea. Besides that, accurate dating proved difficult because standard techniques require invasive sampling, and no growth-rate data exist for this species locally.
Instead, the team combined size measurements, Pacific growth rates, and photogrammetry to arrive at its 400 to 800-year estimate.
This 400 to 800-Year-Old Coral Colony Holds Critical Climate Data
Researchers treat the colony as a historical archive. Each layer encodes data on past water temperatures, salinity shifts, and nutrient levels. Ahmed Alansari, RSG’s head of environmental protection, explains that these records help model how reefs respond to climate change.
Since Red Sea corals adapt naturally to higher temperatures and salinity, scientists expect to uncover genetic traits that underlie their resilience. These insights could inform restoration projects on stressed reefs worldwide!
Red Sea Global and KAUST Partner to Map and Study the Coral’s Secrets
Marine scientists Rhonda Suka and Sylvia Jagerroos now lead detailed research in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). They’re conducting regular dives to document the colony via underwater photogrammetry, then build 3D models that reveal its precise shape and structure.
Next, they’ll collect minimal tissue samples to analyze stress markers and genetic adaptations. Their work supports the Map the Giants initiative, which catalogs coral colonies over five meters long.
AMAALA Plans to Balance Visitor Access with Coral Protection
AMAALA opens later in 2025 with eight luxury resorts and 1,400 rooms. Tour operators will offer small-group dives, enforce strict no-touch guidelines, and cap daily visitor numbers. By doing that, RSG’s responsible tourism policy hopes to balance visitor access with reef protection.
Plus, guests can join guided excursions, learn about coral biology, and practice low-impact diving techniques. This approach ensures divers observe the colony without harming its delicate ecosystem, so tourism and conservation proceed hand in hand.
Ongoing Research and Sustainable Tourism Growth at AMAALA
As AMAALA finalizes its opening plans, RSG and KAUST will keep monitoring the colony and refine its age estimate. Future studies will map genetic traits, test resilience under controlled conditions, and share findings with global reef managers!
On top of that, AMAALA will launch educational workshops for local students and partner with conservation NGOs. So, if you’re an eco-conscious traveler, you can follow AMAALA updates, book dive trips, and help set a new standard for responsible marine exploration!
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