Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Overwater Villa Guide

The dream is a seashell-shaped villa above the Saudi Red Sea, complete with a private pool, a telescope, and a personal host who can organize the day before you finish asking. The catch is a remote-island price and transfer plan that rewards spreadsheets almost as much as it rewards swimsuits.

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve opened on the Ummahat Islands in May 2024 and remains in current operation. Official sources verify 63 overwater and beach villas combined, but do not publish a dependable split, so any precise overwater count deserves skepticism.

The 30-second snapshot

Nujuma is a small, intensely private resort reached by chartered boat or seaplane from The Red Sea’s arrival infrastructure. Its overwater villas sit on a dramatic circular walkway and pair direct sea access with private pools, personal hosts, four restaurants, spa facilities, reef activities, and unusually good stargazing.

• Verified inventory: 63 overwater and beachfront villas combined, with no official current split.
• Qualifying categories: one-, two-, and larger multi-bedroom Water or Sea Villas confirmed over the lagoon.
• Best choice for couples: One-Bedroom Water Villa, preferably for the desired sunrise or sunset orientation.
• Ideal stay: four nights, or five for divers and weather flexibility.

Counting the water villas honestly

Red Sea Global’s official opening announcement states that Nujuma has 63 overwater and beach villas with one to three bedrooms, private pools, and spacious living areas. A later official destination page contains conflicting total language, which is exactly why the published 63-key opening inventory remains the clearest verified figure.

The overwater villas are connected by an elevated ring and offer direct sea access, while beach villas sit on sand. Booking channels currently sell one-bedroom and two-bedroom water categories with sunrise or sunset descriptors, plus larger signature accommodation on selected dates.

No primary current source we found reliably divides the 63 between water and beach. We will verify the resort and categories without turning a satellite photograph into arithmetic.

Ask for the precise confirmed name, number of bedrooms, water position, view orientation, and floor plan. “Sea view” alone does not prove a villa stands over the sea.

The smartest villa choice

The One-Bedroom Water Villa is the natural choice for two because it includes the defining features: a private pool, deck, direct water access, telescope, and dedicated host. More bedrooms do not make the reef bluer.

Sunrise rooms suit early risers and cooler morning deck time, while sunset rooms frame the evening show. Ask about glare, prevailing wind, privacy, walkway traffic, and seasonal sun angle rather than choosing from the category name alone.

The two-bedroom water villa earns its upgrade for families, friends, or two couples who need genuine separation. Confirm bathrooms, bed types, occupancy, shared living space, pool barriers, and whether each bedroom has an equally strong view.

A beach villa may work better for toddlers or guests uneasy with long boardwalks.

Reef access is real nature

Nujuma sits beside living Red Sea coral rather than a decorative resort lagoon. Fish, visibility, tide, wind, current, and marine traffic all change, which is a feature until somebody ignores the briefing.

Use the resort’s Galaxea team for current entry points, snorkeling routes, dive sites, equipment, and restrictions. Do not touch coral, feed wildlife, or stand on reef structure for a photograph.

Divers should confirm certification requirements, surface intervals, medical questionnaires, and the schedule before arrival. Divers Alert Network guidance is a sensible planning companion, while the local operator controls actual activity decisions.

Nujuma’s strongest distinction is its combination of marine nature and an unusually intimate Reserve service style.

The transfer is not an afterthought

Nujuma is accessible by chartered boat or seaplane, with Red Sea Global describing a roughly 30-minute seaplane journey from Red Sea International Airport or a road-plus-boat route. Schedules, operating points, and inclusions must be confirmed for the exact booking.

Booking.com currently asks for arrival and departure flights, transport preference, names, and identification documents at least seven days ahead for island permits. Use only verified contact details from the reservation when transmitting sensitive files.

Ask about baggage limits, weather delays, missed connections, child seats, transfer fees, and the departure-day room plan. A private host can solve many things, but cannot squeeze a hard-shell suitcase into an aircraft that has a strict weight limit.

Check entry eligibility at Saudi Arabia’s official tourist visa portal. Passport details, visas, resident permits, and transport manifests need to agree.

Dining, culture, and the full bill

Current Booking.com information lists four restaurants with Middle Eastern, seafood, and international food, plus vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options. Breakfast-inclusive rates currently serve breakfast at Sita, but other meals and drinks depend on the package.

The Conservation House, cultural programming, stargazing, spa, fitness, reef activities, and personal hosting give the resort a stronger identity than “expensive room, nice water.” Reserve high-demand dining, diving, and private experiences before arrival.

The complete cost includes villa, municipality fee, value-added tax, transfers, meals, drinks, spa, water sports, private activities, child charges, tips, and insurance. Sample listings can include a separate per-person shuttle amount while excluding government fees.

Prepayment is currently required before arrival, with rate-specific cancellation terms. Compare totals in one currency and save every written inclusion, because a nonrefundable bargain at this price can be impressively unfunny.

Who will love Nujuma

Couples wanting privacy, architecture, reef access, stargazing, and attentive hosting are the clearest fit. A four-night stay gives the resort time to feel like a place instead of a very photogenic transaction.

Families can use multi-bedroom water villas if adults actively supervise around pool, deck, and sea. Current policy requires a signed parent or guardian waiver for children under 12 staying in water villas.

Curious travelers may appreciate Saudi cultural interpretation alongside the marine setting. That makes Nujuma more interesting than a generic private island, provided guests engage respectfully rather than treating culture as lobby decoration.

Who should skip it

Skip Nujuma if the total will overshadow the pleasure. Our affordable overwater bungalow guide offers less operatic prices.

Travelers seeking nightlife, walkable towns, or independent restaurants may feel contained. Almost every meal and activity runs through the resort.

Guests anxious about sea access, boardwalks, or remote medical logistics should consider a beach villa or mainland stay. Luxury improves comfort, not geography.

How long should you stay?

Four nights accommodates arrival, reef time, spa or culture, and one unscheduled pool day. Five is better for serious divers or guests arriving after a long-haul journey.

Two nights barely justifies the transfer choreography. A week suits people delighted by one island, four restaurants, and a telescope that will absolutely make someone believe they can identify Saturn.

Safety and operating caveats

Supervise children continuously and confirm deck barriers, pool safety, flotation gear, lighting, medical capability, and evacuation procedures. Tell the resort about pregnancy, allergies, medical conditions, or physical limitations relevant to activities.

Guest drones are prohibited under the current policy, and guests under 18 cannot occupy a villa alone. Check Saudi rules on alcohol, medication, dress, public behavior, and photography through official sources.

Weather can change boat, seaplane, dive, and snorkeling plans. Strong travel insurance should cover cancellation, remote transfers, medical care, and every intended activity.

Reconfirm construction, venue openings, marine access, and exact villa allocation near travel. New destinations evolve quickly, occasionally faster than saved browser tabs.

Frequently asked questions

How many overwater villas does Nujuma have?

The resort officially verifies 63 overwater and beach villas combined, but does not publish a reliable current split. We do not endorse an exact water-villa count.

Do water villas have private pools?

Yes. Current official descriptions include private pools, decks, direct sea access, and telescopes.

Is sunrise or sunset better?

Sunrise brings cooler morning light, while sunset emphasizes evenings. Ask about seasonal angles and wind before choosing.

Can children stay overwater?

Yes, but a signed waiver is currently required for children under 12. Constant adult supervision remains essential.

How do guests arrive?

By resort-coordinated chartered boat or seaplane after reaching The Red Sea destination. Confirm the precise itinerary and cost.

What is the best stay length?

Four nights works well, while five adds weather and diving flexibility.

The verdict

Nujuma delivers a genuine overwater experience with private pools, reef access, personal hosts, and a memorable Saudi sense of place. The one-bedroom water villa is the right move for two, while larger categories should solve an actual group need.

The caveats are high cost, controlled logistics, and a public inventory that does not support confident overwater counting. Book the category, not a guessed number, then spend four nights letting the reef and the stars justify the journey.

Research note

We reviewed Red Sea Global and Marriott opening information, a live 2026 Booking.com listing and policies, Saudi Arabia’s official visa portal, and recognized dive-safety guidance. We have not claimed a personal stay, and transfers, fees, room names, rules, dining schedules, and marine conditions need direct confirmation.

Last fact-checked: August 2026.