know more about Al Mkayser beach and its coral reefs
Pure sandy beaches, high and low bays and cliffs, mixed with tongues and submerged coral reefs with their beautiful colors, this is how the scene appears on the shores of the “Al-Mukhayar” region, north of Al-Wajh Governorate, on the Red Sea coast in Tabuk region, which witnesses a large influx of visitors and tourists.
Photographer Mohammed Al-Sharif monitored the aesthetics of the beaches of Almkayser, to document the greatness of the place in the mixing of the coast with the components of nature, so that it became a destination for the owners of the sea shuttles and quiet sessions, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in contrast to the beaches characterized by the presence of rocks and coral reefs and its proximity to the abundant areas of the sea, which Fishing enthusiasts make it easy to pursue their hobby in the depths of the region.
Al-Sharif said, “I admired the site and its aesthetics, as history and geography experts consider Al-Wajh Governorate on the coast of the Red Sea a story that deserves to be told, sights worth seeing, and sea breezes that people must inhale, and a memory of history that everyone should know, as it embraces among its walls the most ancient history when In the blossoming era, children remember what their fathers and grandfathers left, and this is evidenced by their ancient port on the pages of this history.
He also added: “Al-Wajh bears historical monuments built by fathers and grandfathers and preserved by grandchildren. This governorate has taken a share of advancement and progress in all fields during the era of the modern Saudi state, while opinions differed on its name as the starting point of the Hijaz land for those coming from Africa, Morocco and Egypt by land And in the sea, and among its names, Al-Washan, Al-Washa, Al-Washa, Bandar Al-Wajh, Al-Wajh Port, or Al-Wajh Al-Hassan, Al-Wajh Governorate has distinctive coastal shapes that make it a wonderful natural tourist resort for its enjoyment of many islands located close to the coast, and it is characterized by an acceptable and comfortable climate for its location on a plateau and blowing over it. Sea breeze”.
It is noteworthy that the Sea of al-Wajh is one of the clearest and most beautiful parts of the Red Sea, which qualifies it to be a major tourist attraction in the governorate, especially for diving enthusiasts and discovering the depths, and tourism does not depend on the city’s monuments, climate, beaches and islands. From the final generosity, and this is confirmed by historical sources by welcoming guests.
Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, partnered in the initial, two-week expedition focused on coral abundance, diversity and stress, along with the abundance and diversity of butterflyfish, sea urchins, seagrasses and other species that may indicate the health of this critical environment. Preliminary results suggest that some life forms may be healthier or more diverse in southern Gulf of Aqaba waters further from denser human populations. More data and analyses are needed to verify the possible significance of trends, and the researchers aim for another expedition in summer 2017.
The Gulf of Aqaba is bordered by Egypt on the west, Israel and Jordan in the north, and Saudi Arabia on the east. Though relatively small – about 111 miles long (180 kilometers) and 12 miles wide (20 km) – the Gulf is one of the northernmost living coral reef ecosystems and estimated to host approximately 210 species of hard corals and 120 species of soft corals. Coastal development and industry are denser in and around the northern-Gulf cities of Eilat, Israel, and Aqaba, Jordan, while the Saudi Arabian coast is far less populous and its waters are far less studied.