Red Sea’s Largest Coral Colony Discovered Off Amaala Coast

A colossal coral colony estimated to be between 400 and 800 years old has been discovered in the Red Sea within the waters of Amaala in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, according to Red Sea Global (RSG). The coral, identified as part of the Pavona species, measures between 26 and 36 metres in length and 21 metres in width, rivaling the size of the current world record holder located in the Pacific. It stands as the largest documented coral colony of its type in the Red Sea.

The find is expected to become a major attraction for diving tourists visiting Amaala, with access carefully managed to minimize environmental impact. Researchers have described the coral as a "time capsule" that could offer critical insights into past oceanographic transformations and help model responses to future environmental changes.

Based on its size, photogrammetry, and growth rate comparisons with Pacific species, the coral's estimated age could predate the world's current largest known coral in the Solomon Islands, which is believed to be between 300 and 500 years old. If confirmed, the coral would have begun its growth during historic periods such as Genghis Khan’s conquests, the rise of early Islamic states in Southeast Asia, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

Protecting such giant coral colonies has been deemed crucial for safeguarding reefs in the Red Sea and potentially across the globe. Researchers from RSG and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are conducting further studies to more precisely determine the coral’s age and to examine its resilience to environmental stressors.