JEDDAH — The Great Reef, located approximately 24 km off the coast of Jeddah, represents an important reserve as a marine heritage of coral reefs in the heart of the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia's western coastline displays a diverse marine environment and natural formations, extending over approximately 6 sq km, capturing the beauty of marine life and their lifestyles. In addition to the natural formations of the Great Reef, it is also home to cavities and holes created by marine organisms living within it, as part of local mechanical weathering processes. Despite being affected by environmental and natural factors such as sea currents, tides, and waves, in addition to human activities, its waters still retain their purity and cleanliness, making it a suitable environment for the growth of coral reefs and the continuation of the marine life cycle. Tariq Aba Al-Khail, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), explained that "Great Reef" has maintained its status as a vibrant marine environment where various marine species thrive, a major mooring point for small boats, and a preferred destination for observing seabirds that call it home and breeding ground. The coral formation in this area is a natural coral aggregation and has acquired a special tourist status, becoming a destination for visitors to swim, relax, dive, and explore the depths of the sea, he said while pointing out the ongoing efforts to raise environmental awareness among visitors to preserve this unique natural landmark. The Red Sea is home to the second-longest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef, stretching over 2,000 kilometers. With a coastline of approximately 1,760 kilometers, Saudi Arabia has the longest coastline among the Red Sea countries, featuring a variety of fringing coral reef systems. Coral reefs stand out as one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, supporting an estimated 25% of all known marine species despite occupying less than 1% of the ocean floor.
