Learn to Dive in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates’ Highlights
What makes the United Arab Emirates’ an exciting diving destination is the number of wrecks. Around Dubai, there are a few dozen ships ranging from barges and drilling platforms, to carriers full of vehicles, now the home to stingrays and schools of tuna. In Fujairah, one of the UAE’s best diving destinations, there is a huge coral reef, home to coray eels, turtles, seahorses, lobsters and smaller marine life. The bottom structure is usually sandy, rocky or made up of coral with a maximum diving depth on some of the deepest sites of 80 meters.
When is the best time to go diving in the United Arab Emirates?
Usually during winter months, when the water temperature reaches 30°C. During coral breeding in autumn, the water of the Persian Gulf turns reddish and muddy. In summer, there is a huge amount of plankton and the water becomes cloudy.
Water Temperature: In summer, the water temperature is about 32°C. In winter, the lowest it gets is 22°C.
Currents: None to mild currents.
Visibility: Usually poor between 5 and 15 meters, can go up to 30 meters depending on the location and weather conditions.
United Arab Emirates’ best dive sites
Dibba Rock
Fujairah’s Dibba Rock ranges from 4m to 16m and is a great place to spot marine life. With an abundance of colourful coral, this rocky island has long sloping sides covered by reefs formed by soft and boulder corals. During high tide, you can make a full circuit of the island in a single dive. Ideal for open water divers and free divers, there is a chance to spot parrotfish, moray eels and turtles. It’s one of the only places in the UAE with a chance to spot blacktip reef sharks or whale sharks too depending on the season. It’s also a great and easy night dive as it’s simple to navigate.
Inchcape 1
Inchcape 1 is Fujairah’s famous wreck. Reaching a depth of 30 meters, it is only suitable for advanced open water divers and above. You are able to navigate the wreck during a single dive. The vessel was used by Inchcape shipping services to transport supplies and crew from Dubai to Fujairah. The purposely sunk wreck is home to many large honeycomb eels, sea horses and frog fish. Divers descend and ascend using a line to the bow of the boat.
Zainab
Zainab is one of Dubai’s most famous dive sites and shipwrecks, located only 40 minutes from shore by boat. It was built in 1969 by Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd, when it sank it caused extreme panic in the Gulf as the oil was spread everywhere. Zainab is now at a depth of 30 meters, laying on the port side on a flat sandy bottom. The highest part of the ship lies at 20 meters. There is a chance to spot huge schools of yellowtail barracuda. It’s a favourite amongst divers due to its ease of access to gain access to the ship.
About the country
The United Arab Emirates has become famous for its high-end resorts, high-rise skyscrapers and luxury lifestyle. Quickly developing into a tourist hotspot for singles, families and couples. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are both multi-cultural melting pots with world-class services. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Jabal al Jais, Burj Khalifa, Emirates Palace and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are some of the country’s most famous attractions. For nature lovers, spend nights in the desert under the stars or hike the peaks of the Hajar Mountains.
Recreational Courses in the United Arab Emirates
Dive Centers in the United Arab Emirates
Getting to the United Arab Emirates
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are two of the busiest airports in the world with the highest number of international connections. Sharjah international airport connects flights from around the Middle East. From neighboring countries, the United Arab Emirates can be reached by car or boat. Travel within the country is easy. The public transport including buses, metro and trains are easy to use, safe and reliable.
Other important information
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
- Largest City: Dubai
- Official Language: Arabic
- Demonym: Emirati
- Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham AED
- Calling code: +971
- Driving Side: Right
- Population: Close to 10 million
- Pressure: Pounds/square inch (psi)
- First Stage: INT/ Yoke
