800-Year-Old Coral Colony Discovered At AMAALA May Redefine Marine Science And Tourism Experiences.
Red Sea Global (RSG), the visionary developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced the discovery of a massive coral colony in the Red Sea, located in the waters surrounding AMAALA on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast.
The coral — identified as part of the Pavona genus — rivals the size of the current world record holder: a 32 x 34-meter colony discovered in the Pacific. This newly discovered coral spans approximately 26 to 36 meters in length and 21 meters in width — roughly the length of six to eight London buses placed end to end. It is now considered the largest coral colony of its type ever documented in the Red Sea.
Poised to become a major attraction for divers visiting AMAALA, the coral offers a rare underwater spectacle. In line with RSG’s sustainability-first approach, visitor access will be managed responsibly to ensure minimal environmental impact while still allowing guests to experience the extraordinary biodiversity of the Red Sea.
“The discovery of a coral of such extraordinary dimensions demonstrates the ecological significance as well as the pristine beauty of the Red Sea,” said Ahmed Alansari, RSG’s Head of Environmental Protection and Regeneration.
“These giants act as time capsules, holding clues about oceanic changes over centuries. Studying their survival may help us understand how to better protect reefs globally.”
A Coral from the Age of Empires
Determining the age of such a colossal coral is challenging due to the invasive nature of precise measurement techniques. However, using size estimates, Pacific growth rate comparisons, and a 3D photogrammetry model stitched from over 3,000 images, researchers estimate the colony to be between 400 and 800 years old. If accurate, the coral began growing around the era of Genghis Khan, the rise of Islamic states in Southeast Asia, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris that ended the First Hundred Years’ War.
The age estimate would make this coral older than the current largest known coral (300–500 years old) recently found in the Solomon Islands. Further research in collaboration with KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) will help determine a more precise age and examine the coral’s environmental resilience.
A Natural Wonder Hidden in Plain Sight
Corals in the Red Sea have long been admired for their hardiness — naturally adapted to warmer waters and higher salinity over time. This specific colony will now be closely monitored and studied for clues to its longevity and tolerance to environmental stressors.
Rhonda Suka and Sylvia Jagerroos, the two RSG scientists who discovered the coral, are spearheading its documentation and mapping.
“Finding such an invaluable specimen was a truly mind-boggling experience,” said Rhonda. “Its resilience gives us hope for the continued survival of corals in the Red Sea.”
Jagerroos added, “A coral this massive is incredibly rare — like stumbling upon a northern white rhino in the wild. You know they exist, but seeing one firsthand is almost unbelievable.”
The find has been submitted to the global “Map the Giants” project, which catalogs giant coral structures over five meters in size. It’s the second such submission from RSG in recent months, underscoring the Red Sea’s ecological importance.
AMAALA – A Destination Like No Other
The discovery comes as AMAALA prepares to welcome its first guests later this year. The destination aims to become the world’s most comprehensive health and wellness retreat, launching with over 1,400 hotel rooms across eight luxury resorts. Guests will enjoy world-class wellness programs and immersive experiences, including rare opportunities to explore untouched marine environments.
This milestone follows the success of The Red Sea destination, which began welcoming guests in 2023 and now hosts five open hotels.
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