UMLUJ — The coastal town of Umluj, which boasts of many beautiful beaches and pristine islands, is one of the major tourist destinations in the Kingdom. Amidst breathtaking nature, white sandy beaches, pristine clear turquoise waters, and virgin islands pulsing with life away from urban life, Umluj is one of the governorates in the northwestern Saudi region of Tabuk, a report in Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Monday. The seawaters of Umluj, located on the Red Sea coast between the cities of Al-Wajh in the north and Yanbu in the south, embrace a group of natural islands in the form of an archipelago that extends to the far north of Al-Wajh coast. Umluj has 104 dreamy islands strewn like pearls in the middle of the Red Sea and its white sandy beaches. Its geographical location and its marvelous marine nature makes it a destination for recreation and relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It combines beaches that vary in colors of sands as well as mountainous and sandy islands. The regional area is the equivalent of its natural tourism potentials in all seasons of the year. The islands and Umluj beach are great for swimming and sunbathing and are excellent spots for bird watching, diving and watersports. The Umluj Islands are characterized by a unique environmental diversity, some of which are natural reserves rich in marine life and home to bird nests. Some others are soft white sands that allure the visitors. The turquoise waters surrounding these islands are an excellent addition to the nature"s marvel.