Riyadh, January 29, 2026
Saudi Arabia has announced a new addition to its NEOM mega-project: a fully underwater settlement called Water Village, located beneath the surface of the Red Sea.
The village is designed to offer tourists and residents direct views of marine life through expansive glass walls. Developers claim the construction will not harm existing coral reefs and will instead enhance the ecosystem using artificial reef technology.
Access to the village will be provided via underwater electric shuttles and pod taxis. Facilities will include luxury hotels, dining options, and research centers aimed at attracting both scientists and high-end tourists.
Analysts view the project as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s strategy to reduce oil dependency by promoting experience-based tourism under Vision 2030. Environmental experts have raised concerns about potential pressure on the sensitive Red Sea ecosystem from large-scale development, though officials describe the project as fully carbon-neutral.
Water Village joins other NEOM developments such as The Line—a 170-km linear city—and Oxagon, a floating industrial complex, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s ongoing technological ambitions.
