Top Spots For Snorkelling And Scuba Diving In The UAE
We go underwater to a world much more mesmerising than ours! That is diving, in short. Those who have been practising diving and scuba diving for some time know exactly what we are talking about. Ask them and they will tell you the magic they experience when surrounded by water and the wonders of the sea! If you are one of those people, you should definitely come to the UAE! Why? Because apart from the other activities like skydiving, staycationing at desert resorts, desert camping or hot air balloon rides, this spot has some of the most wonderful places for snorkelling and scuba diving. In our article, we will introduce some of these places and help you get to know them a little better.
Deep Dive Dubai
Are you ten or older? You can go diving there no matter what your abilities are. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, a team of excellent divers will guide you through the way. There you can explore a city underwater and explore an abandoned seascape featuring a fully furnished apartment, garage and arcade. This 60-meter deep pool is one of the deepest dive pools with about 14 million litres of water. Snorkelling, free diving, and scuba diving are the activities you can enjoy there in addition to becoming a certified diver! It is located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai and the prices there start from 400 AED.
Dibba Rock
If you would like to see all kinds of marine life, head to Dibba Rock in Fujairah. Approximately 100m x 100m, the depth around Fujairah’s Dibba Rock ranges from 4m to 16m. This place gives both divers and snorkelers the chance to see various and mesmerizing marine life including parrotfish, giant pufferfish, lionfish, moray eels and turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and whale sharks if you are really lucky.
Zainab Wreck
For adventurous people, this place is the best! Located just 45 minutes from Jumeirah Palm, Zainab Wreck has various and somehow scary marine life such as barracudas and yellow snappers. When feeling like experiencing an extra dose of excitement, this is your spot!
Martini Rock
If you are in love with the moonlight, head to Fujairah! Why? Because an aqua exploration at Martini Rock is a cracking excursion. Named after its shape, the place is one of the deepest sites in the UAE and provides a great chance to see snoozing turtles and feeding rays.
Inchcape
Sorry beginner divers! this place is not the right one for you! The place is up to 30 meters deep! Divers go down water following the line to the bow of this sunk wreck. Then, they can have fun watching the splendid marine life of honeycomb, eels, sunfish and sea horses.
Red Buoy
Located about 20km off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the Red Buoy diving site is a great place for divers and snorkelers. With a descent of 11 meters, visibility is next to perfection!
Shark Island
This small rocky island lies off the coast of the Khorfakkan public beach. It is an underwater marvel for people who enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving. Snorkelers can see Sea anemones and turtles while divers can enjoy the beautiful rock formations teeming with moray eels, rays and Arabian angelfish.
What Equipment do You Need to Perform These Activities?
Air cylinder
The air cylinder is probably the most crucial piece of scuba equipment. This one contains pressurised air which allows divers to breathe underwater without being suffocated.
Regulator
The second piece of equipment that divers need is the regulator. Through the regulator, divers breathe when they are underwater.
Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
This piece allows you to control your buoyancy whilst underwater. In other words, it makes you able to stay at a certain depth.
Mask
The mask that divers need to see clearly whilst underwater. It also allows the diver to equalise the pressure in the mask so it doesn’t suction painfully onto their face.
Fins
Fins allow a scuba diver to move more swiftly and efficiently underwater with the least amount of effort possible.
Wetsuit
This equipment is essential to keep your body temperature warm as bodies lose heat twenty times faster in water than they do in the air.
Weights
Weights are necessary for scuba diving as it counteracts a diver’s natural buoyancy.
For snorkelling, all you need is a snorkel and a mask.
Tips to Stay Safe While Performing These Activities
- Make sure to get the right type of equipment and make sure that it is good.
- Learn to defog your mask in order to be able to see all the time.
- Practice the activity first. It is dangerous to do it without any prior practice.
- Do not swim quickly in order not to get exhausted.
- When you feel tired, allow yourself to relax. If you feel like you are nervous when underwater and snorkelling, get out of the water and relax.
- Do not go alone. It is better to have company in case of emergency.
Are you a fan of diving or snorkelling? Have tried any of the destinations mentioned in our article? If so, how did you find the experience? If not, which one are you going to try next?