The Ship Rock stands in the Bajdah Desert, part of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region. This unusual rock formation has a shape that looks like a ship. It was more than just a landmark. It served as an important stop on ancient trade routes. Travelers came here to find water and rest in the middle of the harsh desert.
The drive to the Bajdah Desert is long, but I genuinely enjoy it. After covering so many kilometers, arriving in the Hisma Desert feels like a proper reward. The scenery changes, the rock formations become more dramatic, and everything opens up.
The role of the Ship Rock in ancient trade
On the edge of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM region stands Jebel Safina, also known as Ship Rock, a striking 50 meter high formation of sandstone and limestone that resembles a ship stranded in the desert. This natural landmark, located near the small town of Bajdah in the Tabuk region, is not just a geological wonder but also a symbol of the area’s deep historical roots. Once part of a major crossroads for ancient trade routes, Ship Rock serves as a lasting testament to the region’s cultural and heritage significance.
Sabkah
A sabkah is a shallow depression in the desert where water collects after rain. In ancient times. Caravans crossing the desert from Yemen to the Mediterranean or the Red Sea depended on these rare sources of water to survive the journey. For centuries, this area was part of the Incense Route, a vast network of trade roads where caravans carried frankincense, myrrh, spices, and textiles from the Arabian Peninsula to faraway ports. Ship Rock, rising from the desert like the bow of a ship, served as a natural marker along this vital route.
Petroglyphs
Petroglyphs are found on the Ship Rock and strengthen the connection to the past. It provides visual traces of those who once relied on these trade routes and desert resources.
The Bajdah wildlife reserve
Today, Ship Rock sits within the Bajdah Desert, not far from the Bajdah Wildlife Reserve, an area now being developed as part of the NEOM project. I suggest visiting the reserve after your visit to the Ship Rock.
In the late afternoon, the light turns golden and the whole is striking beauty. The Bajdah desert is a stunning place, not to be missed when visiting the NEOM region.
