Giant Coral Colony Discovered In The Red Sea Could Be Up To 800 Years Old

Red Sea Global (RSG) has unveiled a significant discovery in the Red Sea near AMAALA, Saudi Arabia. A giant coral colony of the Pavona species has been found, rivalling the size of the largest known colony in the Pacific. This find is now the biggest documented in the Red Sea, potentially becoming a major attraction for divers visiting AMAALA.

RSG emphasises responsible tourism, ensuring minimal impact while allowing visitors to experience this underwater marvel. Ahmed Alansari, RSG’s Head of Environmental Protection and Regeneration, stated: "The discovery of a coral of such extraordinary dimensions demonstrates the ecological significance as well as the pristine beauty of the Red Sea."

The resilience of Red Sea corals is notable due to their genetic adaptation to warmer waters and higher salinity. This newly discovered colony will undergo continuous monitoring to understand its resilience to environmental stressors over time. Such research aims to aid conservation efforts for other reefs globally.

Determining the age of these corals poses challenges due to invasive dating techniques and lack of growth rate data for this species in the Red Sea. However, estimates based on size and Pacific growth rates suggest an age between 400 and 800 years.

Scientists Rhonda Suka and Sylvia Jagerroos from RSG discovered this coral colony and are leading its documentation. Suka expressed: "Finding such an invaluable specimen was a truly mind-boggling experience." Jagerroos added: "A coral this massive is incredibly rare." Their work contributes to the global ‘Map the Giants’ project, which documents giant coral structures over five meters.

Future studies by RSG and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) aim to more accurately determine the coral's age. These studies will also provide insights into its thriving environmental conditions.

AMAALA's Upcoming Launch

AMAALA is preparing to welcome its first guests later this year. It aims to become a leading health and wellness destination with over 1,400 hotel rooms across eight luxury resorts. The destination will feature renowned wellness operators offering diverse programs tailored to various lifestyles.

This development follows RSG’s previous success with The Red Sea destination, which began welcoming guests in 2023 with five hotels now operational.

The discovery at AMAALA highlights both ecological significance and tourism potential. It underscores RSG’s commitment to preserving natural wonders while promoting sustainable tourism practices in Saudi Arabia's coastal regions.

With inputs from SPA