Saudi Resorts Win First DarkSky Certification for Stars

Imagine looking up and seeing the Milky Way stretching across the sky like a river of light, planets shining bright enough to cast shadows, and meteor showers streaking overhead.

Two resorts in Saudi Arabia are now certified as some of the best places on Earth to experience exactly that. Desert Rock Resort and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, have become the first properties to receive DarkSky International's Approved Lodgings & Resorts certification, launched in August 2026.

DarkSky International fights light pollution worldwide while promoting outdoor lighting that's beautiful and functional. The new certification recognizes properties in areas with exceptional dark skies that actively work to reduce their light impact.

Nujuma takes its name from the Arabic word for "stars." Perched among the turquoise islands of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, the resort features beachfront villas with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the night sky. A resident astronomy expert leads guided tours, teaching guests about the cultural significance of constellations in Arabian heritage.

Desert Rock Resort sits nestled in the Hijaz Mountains, where 54 villas and 10 suites blend into rocky peaks and mountain ridges. Each residence includes a private pool and sweeping valley views that transform after sunset into a celestial theater.

The resort's Astronomy Centre offers powerful telescopes for observing planets, constellations, and meteor showers. The hour-long Arabian Astronomy Observation experience weaves together science and Saudi culture, exploring how stars guided navigation and shaped calendars for generations.

Guests can also hike the Luna Trail at night, where the desert landscape becomes a natural observatory. During the Al'Ayali Albeidh Lunar Nights experience, astronomy experts share stories about the moon and stars' role in Arabian history and culture.

The Ripple Effect

Both resorts earned their certifications by doing more than just turning off lights. They've committed to protecting the natural light-dark cycle that local wildlife depends on, using only necessary outdoor lighting designed to minimize sky glow.

This matters beyond giving tourists a pretty view. Light pollution affects 80% of the world's population, disrupting ecosystems, wasting energy, and disconnecting people from the night sky that inspired centuries of art, science, and navigation.

By setting standards for responsible lighting, these resorts are showing the hospitality industry how luxury and environmental stewardship can work together. Other properties in dark sky regions now have a roadmap for certification.

The timing couldn't be better, with "astrotourism" growing as travelers seek meaningful experiences connecting them to nature and the cosmos.

These two resorts prove that looking up can change how we see our place in the universe, one starlit night at a time.