Blue Holes Protected Area

Large marine protected area (~16,500 km2 per NCW) along the southern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, primarily south of Jazan and near the Farasan area, encompassing at least 10-20 deep underwater blue-hole sinkholes (depths ~47-51.5 m and deeper), coral reefs and ~35 marine islands. Designated by the National Center for Wildlife (announced 2025). As an NCW-designated protected area it falls under the Article 73(1) ban on fishing in protected areas, prohibiting spearfishing within it. Coordinate is a representative point on the southern Red Sea coast near Jazan; exact boundaries not published.