Oqyana World First, the first fully-master-planned island community of Nakheel’s The World, has launched the development’s first snorkelling lagoon, which will provide an interactive opportunity to swim and snorkel among coral reefs and underwater sea life in a safe environment.

The Reef Lagoon will be located on the Great Barrier Island, one of the 22 islands comprising the Australian continent. The first phase of construction  is expected to commence soon and is due for completion in 2012.
Serviced by the adjacent International Diving Centre, the Reef Lagoon will also offer diving, snorkelling and boat-related activities and facilities.
Around 60 per cent of the development area is not built up to provide spaces for lagoons, parks, promenades, playgrounds, beaches and extensive landscaping.
“We have reshaped our islands to ensure that water is continually circulated and can sustain marine life, which makes the quality of seawater surrounding our islands superior to that tested along the shoreline of Dubai,” says Dr Wadad Al Suwayeh, CEO of Oqyana World First. “We are considering a full range of alternative green solutions, such as solar-powered ferries among others.”