Many descriptions of Umluj in the internet are embellishments, if not downright inaccurate.
The administrative district of Umluj, with a population of approx. 70,000, is the southern tip of the Province of Tabuk, bordering the Governorate of Yanbu to the south, which already belongs to the Province of Medina. The two cities of Yanbu and Umluj are about 150 km (93 mi) apart and can be reached by car in about 90 minutes via the well-constructed HWY 5 (M 55), which runs partly within sight of the Red Sea.
The town of Umluj is uninspiring and therefore only of interest if you want to make a stopover while passing through and are looking for a place to stay. This is not least due to the Red Sea Project, which from the outset has concentrated on an area about 50-75 km north of the town. Apparently, in order to promote this tourism project and prevent any (cheaper) competition from establishing itself nearby, the government has stopped all tourist activities in Umluj town. There are no boat tours, and snorkelling and diving have also been impossible there for years. There is no tourism in Umluj (as of February 2025).
Visiting Al Manakah Heritage Museum and the Old Emirate Palace is – in my opinion – not really worth it.
The Al Shaqa Volcanic Plain (Harrat Lunayyyir) is one of the largest contiguous volcanic fields in the Kingdom. This rock is also known as igneous rock and was formed from molten rock (magma). Today, it can be recognised by its dark grey colour, among other things. Al Shaqa covers a large area. It is the remains of relatively ‘young’ lava flows that poured over the landscape during the Quaternary period, between about ten million and half a million years ago, as a result of volcanic eruptions. The volcanic outbursts are believed to be related to the formation of the Red Sea. The area of the Al Shaqa volcanic fields ist still seismically active and should never be visited without a certified guide. Please bear in mind that there is no internet connection, so your mobile phone will be useless in an emergency. Furthermore, there is no road leading directly there and the area cannot be reached without a vehicle with proper four-wheel drive.
