In 1917, Al Wajh was taken by Prince Faisal's forces and used as a base of operations for a series of attacks on the Hejaz Railway.

The town is served by the Al Wajh Domestic Airport and has close links with the city of Tabuk, with a road connecting the two locations.

The airport offers flights to several destinations within Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina.

Al Wajh is the subject of a painting by Clarkson Frederick Stanfield, an engraving of which was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832 as El Wuish, Red Sea.

along with a poetical illustration by Letitia Elizabeth Landon that reflects on the slowness of navigation amongst the numerous coral reefs in the area.