Shebara is now ready to welcome its first guests to the Red Sea, featuring stainless-steel living orbs, sustainable diving and its own solar farm. Olivia Palamountain reports

Saudi Arabia’s Shebara is the fourth resort to open its doors at The Red Sea, and the first owned and operated by developer Red Sea Global (RSG).

Set on private Shaybara Island, the 73-villa property includes 38 overwater and 35 beachfront accommodations, including unique, stainless-steel orbs that appear to float on water and fade into the horizon as the surface refracts light.

"We are immensely proud to open Shebara to the world, yet another remarkable milestone for Red Sea Global and Saudi tourism," says John Pagano, group CEO of Red Sea Global. "This luxury and truly one-of-a-kind resort embodies our commitment to innovative design and sustainable tourism."The LEED-Platinum property is powered entirely by its own solar farm, with fresh water supplied from a solar powered desalination plant. Recycling of waste material takes place on the island minimising the need to bring or remove materials from the site.

These innovations form part of a visitor experience where guest can be exposed to and learn about the approach that goes into making the project a truly sustainable development.Dining spans five restaurants, including iki.roe serving Japanese-Nikkei cuisine and Ariamare, led by Michelin-starred chef Marco Garfagnini, focusing on Mediterranean flavours.

Other venues include international brasserie Lunara, the Levantine-inspired Saria Pool Bar & Grill, and Solera, an adults-only pool bar serving mocktails.Beyond cuisine, facilities include a nature-inspired spa with five treatment rooms, a fitness centre, family and adults-only pools and water expeditions.

The resort incorporates Saudi hospitality traditions of hafawah - emphasising generosity and kindness - while offering access to what RSG describes as some of the world's most pristine diving waters.Accessibility has been addressed through Red Sea International Airport (RSI), which opened to domestic flights in September 2023 and began international services to Dubai in April 2024.

The airport's location puts it within three hours' flying time of 250 million people and eight hours from 8% of the global population.The resort, situated 25 kilometres from the mainland, can be reached via a 30-minute seaplane flight or 30-40 minute boat ride from RSI.

An introductory offer is now available; for a limited time only, all bookings of two consecutive nights with receive a third night free.