Fujairah · Half day
Diving in Fujairah
A first try dive or two dives for certified divers, on the reefs of the east coast. Dibba Rock, an artificial reef, turtles and reef sharks.
Diving in Fujairah is the closest way from Dubai to dive the reefs of the Gulf of Oman. The UAE's East Coast is very different from Dubai's coast: the water is clearer, there are rocks and coral, and marine life is rich. You can do a first introductory dive here with no certification at all, or head out for two guided dives if you already hold a certificate.
Dibba Rock is the area's famous site. The National quoted a veteran diver who said it's the oldest marine protected area in the UAE, and likely the richest in the region for marine life diversity. There are coral reefs there, blacktip sharks, reef fish, crabs and octopuses. Dives there range from about 5 to 16 meters, so they suit every level.
Below the rock is an underwater ridge about 200 meters long. According to The National, the first section is a steep wall, home to tropical marine life and sometimes a school of barracuda. The second section is a gentle slope that ends in a coral wall, where you see reef sharks, turtles and plenty of fish. A whale shark is occasionally reported too.
Less than five minutes away is Dibba's artificial reef. A diver quoted by The National described seeing large fish schools, turtles, rays, giant pufferfish and groups of barracuda in winter there. It's an open-sea site, with a flat sandy bottom, and a depth of 10 to 15 meters depending on the tide.
An introductory dive is structured like this: a short briefing on the gear and underwater breathing, practice, and then a descent with a guide right beside you down to a depth of 10 meters. The guide stays with you the whole time. On one of the options you also get underwater photos. Certified divers do two dives at two different sites.
Certified divers also have deeper sites. About 15 kilometers south of Dibba Rock is Al Aqah, from where you head out to the wreck of the Gunther, a German World War II submarine resting at a depth of about 24 meters. According to The National, it's named after its sole survivor, who reached the shore after more than a day in the water.
Tickets and prices
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Try dive for beginners | 424 AED per person |
| Two dives for certified divers in Khor Fakkan | 496 AED per person |
| Diving with a transfer from Dubai | 671 AED per person |
What is included
Included
- A certified diving instructor
- Full diving equipment on the try dive
- The boat ride to the dive site
- A briefing and practice before the dive
- Water and soft drinks
- On one of the options: underwater photos
Not included
- Swimwear and towel
- Diving equipment, on some of the options for certified divers
- Transfer, on most of the options
- A dive computer
What you will see and do
- Introductory dive: breathe underwater for the first time, with a guide right beside you and no certification needed.
- Dibba Rock: the UAE's oldest marine protected area, with coral and reef sharks.
- Turtles and rays: seen regularly on Dibba's artificial reef.
- Fish schools: barracudas and reef fish, sometimes right around you.
- Two dives for certified divers: two different sites in one outing.
Who it suits
Good for…
- Anyone who wants to try diving for the first time
- Certified divers looking for reefs close to Dubai
- Couples and friends who want a shared underwater experience
- Anyone combining it with a day trip along the East Coast
Less suited to…
- Young children: the minimum age depends on the option
- Anyone with a medical condition that prevents diving
- Anyone who isn't comfortable in open water
- Anyone looking for a relaxed beach activity
When to go
Diving here goes on all year. According to The National, the shoals of barracuda at the artificial reef in Dibba are seen mainly in winter. We will confirm the exact departure time for you in writing when you book.
Getting there
- By car from Dubai: Fujairah is about a two-hour drive from Dubai, according to What's On.
- The dive sites are in the northern East Coast, around Dibba and Al Aqah. The exact meeting point depends on the option.
- There's no metro or train to the East Coast. Arrive by car, taxi or transfer.
- There's an option with transfer from Dubai. On some options, transfer from Dubai is available for an extra fee on-site.
Good to know
- Bring a passport or ID.
- Certified divers should bring their certification card and logbook.
- On some of the options for certified divers, you can bring your own gear or rent gear on-site.
- On an introductory dive you don't go deeper than 10 meters, and the guide stays with you the whole time.
- The age range varies by option. On some, the limit is 12 to 45. We'll check with you before booking.
- Ask us for the health questionnaire in advance. Certain medical conditions don't allow diving.
- Don't touch the coral or the wildlife, even if they look calm.
- Flying in the next few days? Tell us when you book, and we'll check with the dive team.