Marine Park and Underwater Observatory

With the potential to attract many visitors from the very large numbers of tourists that already visit the region, our client wanted to develop a world-class tourism destination that would take advantage of the beautiful adjacent coral reef. The final concept created by Oceanis will support over one million annual visitors centered on a family entertainment pier and marine park.

Oceanis has been conducting a concept design and feasibility study process for a major nature-based tourism development in the Middle East.

The stunning local Red Sea environment and sea life accessible only to divers led the client to conceive of a unique underwater viewing experience.  They contacted Oceanis to explore this concept, based upon our prior experience with such projects.

Oceanis then led a team to conduct a site review, including diving a number of possible site locations and exploring the entirety of the reef fronting the city.

Realising that there was some significant environmental damage, but understanding how such damaged areas could be rehabilitated, Oceanis worked with the client to masterplan both the restoration of the newly designated park, and to plan public access to the reef in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner.

The end result of the initial work was a plan for a highly activated pier over the reef, a reef restoration program, planning for designated recreation areas and developing access to the beautiful under water views of the Red Sea.

The initial concept phase has been followed up with Oceanis leading a team to conduct a marketing study, feasibility study, and business case development — all leading to refinement of the concept design including developing briefs for managing subsequent development sub-projects.

The marine park is planned to be a unique leisure feature of life in the city.  It is also planned to be a major driver of the local economy as the marketing study predicts significant regional, domestic and international tourism potential from the unique offering to a family market and the young demographic of the country.