Best places for snorkelling and scuba diving in Abu Dhabi
Have you been toying with the idea of going snorkelling and scuba diving in Abu Dhabi? There are a number of excellent dive sites in Abu Dhabi where you can enjoy these activities and explore the rich marine life native to the Arabian Gulf. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered!
SITES FOR SNORKELLING AND SCUBA DIVING IN ABU DHABI
The UAE’s capital is home to a number of dive sites for scuba diving and snorkelling. Divers can encounter the beauty of marine creatures in the deep seas of the Arabian Gulf. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out these popular diving sites in Abu Dhabi.
SIR BANI YAS ISLAND
One of the top Abu Dhabi snorkelling spots is Sir Bani Yas Island which invites novice and expert divers alike. It is one of the eight islands making up the desert islands of Al Dhafra. Awarded with the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2014, the nature-based destination is one of the most beautiful islands in Abu Dhabi offering a range of adventure facilities, including spectacular sites for taking a plunge.
SAADIYAT REEF
With deep waters full of diverse marine flora and fauna, Saadiyat Reef offers an easy Abu Dhabi scuba diving experience for open sea divers. You’ll find spectacular coral reefs here as it is one of the marine protected areas.
DALMA ISLANDS
Located 42km from the coast of the capital, Dalma Islands is another place to try deep sea scuba diving in Abu Dhabi. It is known as Arabian Gulf’s most important historical pearl-diving centre. The island has been inhabited for more than 7000 years and has strong links to maritime traditions and heritage. The waters surrounding it are just as promising.
OLD CEMENT BARGE
Old Cement Barge is great for scuba diving and snorkelling in Abu Dhabi. And if you want to take your special someone for an unforgettable experience, it can also be one of the popular destination for a romantic date in Abu Dhabi. You can see the wrecks of cement bags visible underneath the waters. This shallow diving site houses spectacular marine life for divers and snorkellers in Abu Dhabi to explore.
RED BUOY
Located about 19km off the coast of the capital city, Red Buoy guarantees an expedition with lots of marine life. The site offers up to 11 meters of visibility, which means you can get a clear shot for your Gram.
SNORKELLING AND SCUBA DIVING COMPANIES IN ABU DHABI
The UAE capital offers some of the best diving sites with rich marine life and warm waters. And if you are looking for diving lessons, here is a list of the top companies offering snorkelling and scuba diving lessons in Abu Dhabi.
OCEAN DIVE CENTRE
Ocean Dive Center Abu Dhabi is one of the leading companies in Abu Dhabi, with a team of dedicated PADI professionals. It offers scuba diving courses in the capital for amateur divers, including the PADI courses. The course takes 2 to 3 days, catering to everyone above the age of 10. They also offer diving trips for experienced divers.
- Contact: +971-50-141-3255
- Location: West Corniche Road, Emirates Palace Gate 2
ABU DHABI MARINE
Abu Dhabi Marine is an academic and commercial arm of Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC). It was established in 2018 with the goal to promote tourism and scuba diving. They are certified by PADI and proudly offer a variety of diving experiences.
- Contact: +971-800-4386
- Location: Multiple Locations
AL MAHARA DIVING CENTRE
If you’re seeking adventure, then look no further than Al Mahara Diving Centre. With significant experience in scuba diving training, they are dedicated to catering to their customers’ diversified needs.
If you sign up with them, you will be exploring the coral-rich sites with a plethora of marine life. Their selected dive sites are suitable for all levels of divers. You can also explore wrecks off the shore of Abu Dhabi with them. But this particular expedition requires experienced divers.
- Location: Multiple Locations
- Contact: +971-50-111-8125
FREEDIVING UAE
Specialising in freediving and offering one of the best extreme activities in Abu Dhabi, this institute offers a variety of diving lessons in Abu Dhabi. With freediving, all you need is a pair of fins, a mask, and a snorkel.
Freediving UAE offers AIDA (the worldwide federation for breath-hold diving) courses. You can choose from various levels given your expertise. They also offer online shopping options for divers who want to buy equipment for scuba diving in Abu Dhabi.
- Contact: +971-56-976-1000
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE SCUBA DIVING CHARGES IN ABU DHABI?
Prices vary depending on the service provider you choose. They will also depend on the duration and location of the dive and whether equipment rentals are included or not.
WHERE CAN I FIND SCUBA DIVING GEAR IN ABU DHABI?
Those going for diving or snorkelling in Abu Dhabi on their own need the right equipment. You can buy the diving gear in the capital from different diving institutes as well as gear shops such as Freediving UAE and Al Mahara Diving Centre.
WHAT BASIC EQUIPMENT DO I NEED FOR SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELLING?
Basic equipment for snorkelling and scuba diving includes a wetsuit or drysuit, snorkel and diving mask, diving fins and a scuba tank.
That is all for our guide on scuba diving and snorkelling in Abu Dhabi. We hope you find it useful when exploring the emirate’s underwater world. Planning a snorkelling trip in Dubai? There are a number of excellent scuba diving places in Dubai such as Dubai Mall, Jumeirah Beach and Atlantis.
