In the deep! Popular spots for wreck diving in Dubai
Dubai’s beaches are popular for two reasons: their serene beauty and the plethora of water sports. From scuba diving to flyboard, you can try it all. Even for a relative niche activity, there are many spots for wreck diving in Dubai. Read on as we list the top wrecks diving Dubai locations.
TOP LOCATIONS FOR WRECK DIVING IN DUBAI
Here’s a list of places to try wreck diving in Dubai.
ZAINAB WRECK
Once a ship transporting oil, Zainab sank in 2001 after an interception. Over the years, it has become one of the favourite spots for marine species. The huge structure has allowed a variety of sea animals to thrive. And after a dive of 20 metres, you will reach the vessel’s top. You can find many sea animals here, including yellowtail barracuda, batfish, snappers and more.
MARIAM EXPRESS
Next up on wrecks diving Dubai locations is Mariam Express. The ferry’s route was from UAE to Iraq for a long time. But in 2006, it capsized due to strong currents and overloading. Sitting at a depth of 18 to 25 metres, this is another place where you can find exotic underwater species like nudibranchs, flatworms, spotted eagles, torpedo rays and yellowtail barracuda.
MV LUDWIG
This ship suffered a tragic accident causing the death of 238 people. Today’s spot serves as a memory of those who died in the terrible incident. Set 5 to 17 metres deep, this spot has also transformed into a place for wreck diving in Dubai. Fish species you can see here are damselfish, pennant fish, sea squirts and more.
CEMENT BARGE
If you want to go for your first experience of wreck diving in the UAE, this site is perfect, with a depth of 5 to 20 metres. As the name Cement Barge indicates, the wreck is from a cement ship that sank in 1971. It is popular for night diving as well as snorkelling.
SHEIKH MOHAMMAD’S BARGE
This ship was sunk deliberately to create an artificial habitat for corals and other marine life. It is now one of the more popular sites for reef and wreck diving in Dubai, with a depth of 18 to 23 metres. It usually takes two dives to explore the site in its entirety.
MV VICTORIA STAR
The MV Victoria Star sank in 2013. Its wreckage is among the top diving sites in the UAE, with a depth of 14 to 20 metres. You need an advanced open water or a higher diving certification to explore this site.
FAQS
WHICH COMPANIES OFFER WRECK DIVING IN DUBAI?
Interested in a wreck diving experience? Here’s a list of companies that offer this service.
- Freestyle Divers | +971-50-891-8207
- Nemo Diving Centre | +971-56-704-4472
- Al Boom Diving | +971-4-342-2993
Some scuba diving companies in Dubai also offer wreck diving services.
HOW CAN I TRY WATER SPORTS IN DUBAI?
Water sports in very popular in Dubai. For instance, there are multiple places for kayaking in Dubai. Read our guide on water sports in Dubai to find everything you need.
That concludes our look at wreck diving in Dubai. If you are a marine life enthusiast, this is something you should try or, as they say, dive in head-first. Nature has an amazing way of making the most of any given opportunity. These wreckages have given life to beautiful coral reefs, sustaining marine life. And to observe it up close is magical.
