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United Arab Emirates

Explore United Arab Emirates

Diving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers a unique blend of adventure and discovery, making it a captivating destination for divers. With its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, the UAE's dive sites promise vibrant encounters. Off the coast of Fujairah, divers can explore the colorful coral reefs, home to an array of marine species including turtles, rays, and the occasional reef shark. The Persian Gulf's warm waters offer excellent visibility, providing a perfect setting for both beginners and experienced divers to immerse themselves in this underwater wonderland.

The UAE is also renowned for its intriguing wreck dives. The area is dotted with shipwrecks that have become artificial reefs, teeming with marine life. Sites like the Inchcape and Zainab wrecks are popular, offering a glimpse into history and a habitat for diverse sea creatures. Seasonal changes enhance the diving experience; during the cooler months, divers can enjoy encounters with migratory species. Whether exploring from the shore or taking a boat dive, the UAE's dive environment is as varied as it is beautiful, making it a must-visit for any diving enthusiast.

Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, Cir, Plus
Tipping
10%
Airports
DXB, DWC, AUH, SHJ
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
Dial Code
+971
Electricity
Voltage: 230 V, Frequency: 50 Hz
Time
Gulf Standard Time (GST), UTC Offset: UTC +4

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in United Arab Emirates

The marine life in the United Arab Emirates is diverse, offering encounters with vibrant reef fish and occasional sightings of larger marine animals. Common reef fish include parrotfish, angelfish, and groupers, often seen around the coral reefs of Dibba and Fujairah. These colorful species are a delight for divers and snorkelers, easily encountered in these areas.

Seasonal sightings add excitement, with whale sharks appearing typically between April and July, particularly near the Musandam Peninsula. Green and hawksbill turtles are seen year-round, but nesting is most common from March to June. Rays, including the graceful manta ray, are also spotted, their presence often dependent on water temperature and currents. Divers can expect varied experiences based on the season and dive location, making UAE's waters a dynamic adventure for marine enthusiasts.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

247 Sightings
J
21
F
24
M
27
A
29
M
18
J
10
J
16
A
13
S
12
O
17
N
34
D
26

Green Turtle

138 Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
23
A
14
M
11
J
3
J
12
A
8
S
4
O
16
N
9
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

54 Sightings
J
12
F
15
M
13
A
5
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
3

Hawksbill Turtle

30 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
6
A
5
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
3
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

185 Sightings
J
16
F
16
M
20
A
21
M
13
J
8
J
12
A
0
S
14
O
16
N
25
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

170 Sightings
J
17
F
19
M
18
A
14
M
4
J
6
J
13
A
5
S
14
O
11
N
29
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

138 Sightings
J
11
F
13
M
18
A
17
M
6
J
8
J
5
A
0
S
8
O
11
N
24
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

136 Sightings
J
7
F
11
M
15
A
14
M
5
J
6
J
14
A
4
S
9
O
12
N
23
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

114 Sightings
J
12
F
14
M
13
A
18
M
3
J
2
J
6
A
3
S
1
O
13
N
15
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

71 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
15
A
6
M
1
J
5
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
6
N
18
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

68 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
16
A
8
M
3
J
4
J
3
A
2
S
2
O
0
N
16
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

64 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
10
A
12
M
1
J
4
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
8
N
12
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

57 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
11
A
5
M
1
J
5
J
4
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
16
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

57 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
8
A
5
M
0
J
7
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
15
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

45 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
11
A
9
M
9
J
2
J
6
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

43 Sightings
J
0
F
7
M
7
A
4
M
1
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
9
O
9
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

41 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
4
A
5
M
0
J
6
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
7
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Flounder

30 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
6
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
8
N
0
D
1

Blacktip Reef Shark

27 Sightings
J
9
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
7
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
8
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

26 Sightings
J
9
F
5
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

24 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
2
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
11
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

24 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
2
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

19 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
0
A
9
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

18 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
4
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

16 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
4
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

14 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
4
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
6
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
0