Top 5 Best Dive Sites in United Arab Emirates
The Middle East is quickly becoming a popular location for divers looking to fill up their logbooks. Life is better under the sea, whether you're looking for ... read more...Nemo or sunken treasure, snapping Sebastien or hoping to run across Ariel. The UAE is a wonderful place to be fascinated by the ocean's allure, with brilliant blue seas and year-round sunshine separating the stones. Here are some of the best dive sites in United Arab Emirates to try your luck.
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Dibba Rock - one of the best dive sites in United Arab Emirates, provides something for any diver, with its vibrant corals, a large population of green turtles, clownfish, and even black-tipped reef sharks. A reef built by a combination of soft and boulder corals covers the long sloping sides of this small rocky island. Because the side closest to the coast is only 3-4 meters deep, diving is recommended during high tide. A long sloping rocky reef with many green and purple whip corals on the seaward side makes for a really stunning diving location.
Dibba Rock is a great night dive since it's easy to maneuver. There are numerous lovely, swaying corals that will have their polyps out to eat at night, as well as sleeping fish wedged between the rocks. You might also stumble across sleeping turtles; do not disturb them because they are easily startled.
This is one of the best snorkeling spots in the area, especially for seeing turtles. The turtles are most plentiful on the island's seaward side, where there are several coral reefs. Snorkelers appear to see turtles more frequently than divers.
Aside from turtles, there are other fish species to be found here. Keep a watch out for the strange jawfish. They emerge from their holes during mating season (typically June to August), revealing their bright, patterned bodies. There are also some clownfish in the area. They can be a little rough with you, slamming your mask or nipping your fingers.Location: Al Fujairah, UAE
Depth: 30 meters (100 feet)
Visibility: 10 meters (30 feet) -
The Gray Swift 2 was built in the United States by Halter Marine and sent to Dubai in the early 1970s. She began her service at Ras al-Khaimah and was renamed Inch Cape 1 when she was transferred to Dubai in 1991. Inchcape Shipping Services used the vessel to transfer crew and supplies to and from ships, oil platforms, and rigs in Dubai and Fujairah. She was decommissioned in 2001 and then purposefully sunk by Inchcape Shipping Services at a depth of 30 meters to create an artificial reef.
Starting with the bow of the ship, which is covered in candy-colored pink and purple Dendronephthya soft corals, the wreck has been turned into a large mass of marine life. Inside the shipwreck, you'll find a variety of reef fish, including soldierfish, boxfish, pennant fish, red large eyes, and pufferfish. Jack or trevally comb the area in search of shoaling yellow snappers, while a school of cardinalfish seeks sanctuary in the remaining wheelhouse from barracuda and emperor fish. Opportunistic hunters like moray eels like to hide under the ship's tires, whereas rays prefer to stay hidden beneath the debris. Divers who enjoy underwater digital photography may enjoy seeing smaller species such as colorful nudibranchs and sea horses on the stern.
Discover how this remarkable ship has contributed to the UAE's underwater ecosystem. This wreck is a specialty activity available only to qualified certified divers looking for a challenging and rewarding diving adventure.
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Martini Rock, which is one of the best dive sites in United Arab Emirates, is a small but attractive reef named after the shape of the rocky pinnacles beneath the surface, which resemble a martini glass on its side. The rock is around 160 meters long and 80 meters wide at its widest point. You can dive around it starting at 12 meters and working your way up to 20 meters before returning to shallower waters. The average visibility at this location is 5-15 meters, however on a good day, you can get up to 20 meters.
This prominent East Coast diving site is known for its sandy gullies and abundance of rich orange soft coral, which is contrasted with deep purple and bright yellow soft coral. Martini Rock is alive with a kaleidoscope of colorful reef species, including snappers, fusiliers, lionfish, burrfish, snappers, parrot fish, Sergeant Majors, and broomtail wrasse, to mention a few.
Other intriguing marine species, including as cuttlefish, moray eels, and turtles, are likely to be seen gliding through these waters. Certified divers interested in underwater photography will find fascinating subjects such as seahorses, shrimps, and brilliant nudibranchs in a variety of colors, shapes, and body textures. Gobies reside in holes alongside shrimp cleaners in the sandy areas around the rock, while rays prefer to bury themselves halfway into the sand.
Location: Al Fujairah, UAE
Depth: 10 - 22 meters (30 - 72 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 15 meters (15 - 50 feet) -
Sharm Rock - one of the best dive sites in United Arab Emirates, at a depth of 10 to 22 meters, is located offshore, about 15 minutes south of the Meridian Fujairah. Because of the three little outcrops of rocks that protrude above the surface, this dive site is also known as "3 Sisters" or "3 Rocks Pinnacles." A 150m long and 100m wide crack runs through the pinnacles that are close together. There is a fourth rock as well, but only the most experienced divers travel there.
Soft corals cover the rocks, providing a sanctuary for a variety of reef fish such as snappers, large-mouth mackerel, fusiliers, and shoals of jacks, which are among the favored prey of the large tuna that frequent these waters. Lionfish, boxfish, jawfish, and schools of bannerfish are all regular sightings. You can also see opportunistic predators such as moray eels, which feed on the numerous crustaceans, squid, and cuttlefish in the vicinity. Turtles, black-tip reef sharks, and stingrays can also be found on the sandy edges. Whale sharks are occasionally observed during the warmer months of the year, which is a fantastic treat for both divers and snorkelers.
The water in this location is usually calm, with visibility ranging from 5 to 20 meters. Its shallow depths make it suitable for snorkeling and divers of all levels of experience, and night diving is particularly popular.
Location: Al Fujairah, UAE
Depth: 15 meters (50 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 15 meters (15 - 50 feet) -
Zainab is one of the best dive sites in United Arab Emirates; it's only 40 minutes away by boat and has an interesting history. Smith's Dock Co. built it in 1969. Zanaib sinking in April 2001 created fear in the Gulf, as it spilt oil during rough seas, with the main concern being that oil might reach the UAE's desalination plants, which are the country's principal supply of fresh water.
It is presently submerged in 30 meters of water on a flat sandy bottom on the port side. The wreck's top depth is roughly 20 meters, making it a dive for Advanced divers. Although there is no longer a marking buoy immediately on the wreck, there is a labeled cardinal marker nearby to alert other ships. Until the wreck comes into view, the descent provides a superb opportunity to witness big schools of yellowtail barracuda. The wreck is best examined over two dives due to its size. A small lifeboat and fire hose can still be seen on the sea floor near the stern.
Location: Dubai, UAE
Depth: 30 meters (100 feet)
Visibility: 5 - 15 meters (15 - 50 feet)