Saba Beach opens on Cruise Saudi's private Red Sea island

Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya – Cruise Saudi’s newly developed private island for cruising in the heart of the Red Sea – received its first cruise passengers on December 21. It was part of a soft launch, offering guests an exclusive first experience of the island.

Jabal AlSabaya

Jabal AlSabaya is accessible exclusively to cruise line passengers. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural environment, the island’s development represents the best of Saudi culture, with influences from the Aseer and Hijaz regions, coastal Roshan designs, and patterns inspired by Sadu and AlKhous.

The development of the private island, roughly 220 nmi from Jeddah, is a natural progression in Cruise Saudi’s mission to position Saudi Arabia as a prominent destination for cruising.

'Since the inception of Cruise Saudi, our vision has been to create unique and exceptional cruise experiences for passengers from around the world,' said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi. 'The launch of Saba Beach represents not only a world-class destination but also our commitment to enhancing Saudi’s tourism industry.

'We are opening up a truly unique area of the region and look forward to welcoming cruise passengers from around the world.'

Built sustainably

The project’s development began in 2024 and, according to Cruise Saudi, from the start the island’s facilities were built with sustainability at the forefront. Construction was undertaken with minimal impact, using local materials and craftsmanship along with off-site prefabrication, whilst measures were put in place to protect the island’s surrounding environment, Cruise Saudi revealed.

Related:PC Marine Services to develop Red Sea island for Cruise Saudi

Phase one

Upon completion of the first phase, facilities will include a floating park, full-service restaurant, retail shops, a VIP beach and VVIP beachfront villas. Visitors will have access to spa experiences, a shisha lounge and a range of land and water activities that cater to all kinds of travelers.

Passengers can relax on beachside cabanas at Saba Beach or join a snorkeling excursion. 

Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer of Cruise Saudi, said 'the launch of Saba Beach represents a milestone in bringing a previously unseen Saudi to the local, regional and international markets.'