AMAALA YACHT CLUB OFFICIALLY OPENS, ESTABLISHING A NEW GLOBAL YACHTING HUB ON SAUDI ARABIA’S RED SEA COAST
AMAALA Yacht Club (AYC) has officially commenced operations, opening its marina and clubhouse to founding members and visiting yachts. The opening marks the arrival of a new international hub for luxury yachting on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, developed as part of Red Sea Global’s AMAALA destination.
Located approximately 2,000 nautical miles from Monaco and closer to the Mediterranean than the Caribbean, AMAALA offers the global yachting community a compelling new winter cruising ground during the months when fleets traditionally migrate south. Its position on the Red Sea also creates a natural gateway for onward cruising towards the Indian Ocean.
John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global, said: “AMAALA Yacht Club marks the emergence of a truly global yachting destination, offering unparalleled access to the stunning Saudi Red Sea coast. More than a world-class facility, it brings together luxury, wellness, and regenerative tourism unlike anywhere in the world.”
Adrian Peet, General Manager of AMAALA Yacht Club, said: “AMAALA Yacht Club is a new home for the yachting world from superyacht owners cruising the Red Sea for the first time, to the sailors who will build a racing culture here. We’ve built a marina and a clubhouse to welcome every kind of yacht, an academy that will bring the next generation of Saudi sailors onto the water, and a destination built for a full season, not one type of vessel. What opens today is the foundation for everything this coastline will become.”
A New Home for the Global Yachting Community AMAALA Marina offers 119 berths and can accommodate sailing and motor superyachts exceeding 100 metres in length. Fuelling, comprehensive marine services, and maintenance and repair facilities are planned to follow in the coming years.
Berthing and mooring fees are positioned in line with leading European yachting destinations, while owners securing permanent moorings will benefit from a range of privileges offered through AMAALA’s resort partners.
For motor superyacht owners, AMAALA provides a purpose-built winter base with technical and operational support, including fuelling, provisioning and crew services, with expanded maintenance and repair capabilities planned for the future. Its location provides direct access to the Red Sea’s cruising grounds and onward routes towards the Indian Ocean.
For sailing yacht owners, the destination will offer a growing calendar of competitive sailing and cruising opportunities. Combined with the marina’s capability to accommodate yachts of more than 100 metres, AMAALA is positioned alongside the world’s leading destinations for superyachts of all types.
A Clubhouse Designed for the International Sailing Community at the heart of the destination is the 7,900 square-metre AMAALA Yacht Club clubhouse, bringing members and guests together through a collection of dining, leisure and social spaces.
The clubhouse includes AMAALA Lounge, ANQA, 27°C and The Deck, as well as a rooftop pool, private meeting suites and dedicated event spaces.
Designed by HKS Architects, the clubhouse takes inspiration from the sculpted rock formations of the Red Sea coastline. Its distinctive maritime forms and cantilevered terraces have been conceived to create a long-term gathering place for the international sailing community.
Developing the Next Generation of Saudi Sailors education sits alongside hospitality at the heart of the Club’s offering. The AYC Academy delivers an RYA-certified sailing programme alongside watersports experiences for participants of all ages and abilities.
The Academy is central to AMAALA Yacht Club’s ambition to develop a strong sailing culture within Saudi Arabia and introduce a new generation of Saudi sailors to the sport.
Joining the International Sailing Calendar AMAALA Yacht Club will also take its place on the international sailing calendar as a centrepiece of the Grand Finale of The Ocean Race 2027.
The event will mark the first time The Ocean Race finishes in the Middle East and the first time the race reaches Red Sea waters. The Club is also set to host a wider programme of international yachting events throughout the year, strengthening AMAALA’s position as an emerging destination for both competitive sailing and luxury cruising.
Beyond the Marina members and guests of AMAALA Yacht Club will have access to AMAALA’s growing collection of luxury resorts, including Four Seasons, Six Senses, Rosewood, Equinox and Nammos, with two additional resorts expected to open in the coming months.
With average seasonal temperatures of approximately 26°C and lows of around 23°C, AMAALA offers favourable conditions for owners, guests and crew. The destination is also located approximately 45 minutes from Alwajh International Airport, supporting convenient international access.
Like the wider AMAALA destination, AMAALA Yacht Club operates entirely on renewable energy, reflecting the regenerative principles on which the Club was founded. These principles will continue to guide its events, programmes, partnerships and long-term development.
