Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) transformation of the Red Sea coast has reached another milestone, with Amaala Yacht Club opening its doors to the global superyacht community. The $2 billion club is now welcoming founding members and visiting yachts to Triple Bay, creating a luxury gateway into one of the world’s less-explored cruising regions. Developed by Red Sea Global, the club is intended to establish Amaala as a winter base for the international superyacht fleet rather than simply another resort amenity.
The marina features 119 berths for sailing yachts, motor yachts and superyachts, with Amaala stating that it can accommodate vessels up to 130 meters. Boat International has reported that the marina can accommodate superyachts exceeding 100 meters and potentially reaching 140 meters. Located around 200 nautical miles south of the Suez Canal and roughly 2,000 nautical miles from Monaco, the club gives yachts leaving the Mediterranean a warm-weather alternative without the much longer Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean. Amaala is also approximately 45 minutes from AlWajh International Airport, which makes its location absolutely perfect.
A new winter base on the Red Sea
The marina is positioned on a route connecting the Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean, giving it a strategic advantage for yachts moving between regions. It already operates as a full international port of entry, allowing owners, guests and crew to complete arrival and departure formalities on site. Dock services include bunkerage, shore power and water, while fast fiber-optic internet and international entry and exit visas can be arranged. Fuel, provisioning and crew support are available, although larger maintenance and repair facilities are still planned for the coming years.
Around-the-clock security is already in place, while berthing and mooring fees are described as comparable with leading European yachting destinations, although specific prices have not been published. Permanent mooring customers can also receive privileges through selected resort partners. The combination of these services and the wider Amaala resort network is designed to encourage longer stays rather than brief marina visits.
At the heart of the development is a four-level, 7,900-square-meter clubhouse designed by HKS Architects. The approximately 85,000-square-foot building houses Amaala Lounge, ANQA, 27°C and The Deck, alongside restaurants, bars, private lounges, meeting suites, business facilities, event spaces, retail areas, terraces and a rooftop pool. Its architecture draws from the Hijaz Mountains, desert and Red Sea, with broad cantilevered terraces resembling coastal cliffs and an entrance arch framing the water. Inside, stone, timber, leather and metal create a warmer aesthetic, while a mirrored vaulted ceiling and illuminated floor evoke an alternative night sky.
Building a sailing culture
Amaala Yacht Club is also intended to establish the Red Sea as a competitive sailing destination. The AYC Academy offers an RYA-certified sailing program and watersports activities for different ages and abilities, supporting the development of local sailing talent. The club will host the 2026 World Match Racing Tour Finals and the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race in 2027. The Ocean Race finale will mark the event’s first finish in the Middle East and its first time racing on Red Sea waters.
Owners and guests can also access Amaala’s wider resort ecosystem, including Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood, Equinox and Nammos. The destination is designed for year-round use, with seasonal temperatures averaging around 26 degrees Celsius and lows of about 23 degrees Celsius. Its off-grid energy system combines a 250MW solar park with 700MWh of battery storage, while renewable-powered desalination and wastewater treatment support the wider development. The yacht club was designed to target LEED Platinum, although formal certification has not been confirmed.
With 119 berths, international port-of-entry facilities and room for yachts up to 130 meters, Amaala is putting the northern Red Sea on the superyacht map. Its proximity to the Suez Canal and Monaco gives Mediterranean owners a new warm-weather option without the Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean. For Saudi Arabia, it is another major step in turning the Red Sea into a global luxury and yachting destination.
