RAKpedia

Diving

Unfortunately, the Persian Gulf does not have an extensive coral reef and sometimes visibility in the water is poor. Nevertheless, the waters here harbour many ship wrecks and new diving sites are discovered every year that guarantee an interesting dive.

DIVING SITES IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

MV Dara

MV Dara was a passenger liner that carried people between India, Dubai and Kuwait. It was built in 1948, it had a length of 388 feet and could accommodate more than 1500 people. MV Dara sunk in 1961 because of an explosion that took live of 238 passengers out of 819 on board. It was the second greatest disaster at sea in peacetime after the Titanic.

The wreck sits in around 18m of water. It deteriorates every year, thus only the steer section can be entered.

Marine life: species of rays, snappers, groupers, barracudas and jacks

Saud 1

Saud was a 20m long tugboat that sunk around 2004. It sits intact and upright in 20m of water.

Marine life: nudibranchs, puffer fish, yellow snappers, batfish

Alia

This large barge fully loaded with rocks turned over and partially sunk inside the Saqr Port in 2000. Later it was lifted and towed to a site that was chosen as a dump place, so that the barge could become the home to variety of marine life.

Marine life: rays, barracudas, yellow snappers

Mina Saqr Port

This excellent place for shallow diving (5-12m) and snorkelling is in front of the Saqr Port. Coral colonies that grow there, host species of numerous fish.

Marine life: mouth mackerel, groupers, snappers, morays, anemones, clownfish, lionfish, stonefish and occasionally turtles

DIVING CENTRES

Most of the diving centres in Ras Al Khaimah are located inside hotels; in some you can use the facilities even if you are not a guest or a club member. Arabian Diver, a well established diving company in Ras Al Khaimah, offers diving trips to the above mentioned sites, PADI courses and amazing trips onboard of Lejaine, a 25m long motor sailing schooner.

Arabian Diver

Location: Hilton Beach Resort

Phone: 07 2226628

Web: www.arabiandiver.com

___________________________

Al Muhtarif Marine Sport

Location: near Corniche Fish Market

Phone: 050 2779920

___________________________

Scuba RAK IMC

Location: Corniche Rd, next to Police Officers Club

Phone: 07 236 4444, 050-7494187/050-5042131

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Scuba RAK IMC is a part of Ras Al Khaimah International Marine Sports Club situated by the RAK Creek. It is a certified diving club and a member of Emirates Diving Association. The centre offers PADI courses from beginners to professional level. It also organizes dive, snorkelling and boat trips in Ras Al Khaimah, East Coast and Musandam. Their retail shop sells variety of latest diving equipments.

You should expect to pay 450dhs for two dives with full equipment and buffet lunch, while PADI Open Water course costs 2,100dhs.

OTHER EMIRATES

Diving on the East Coast of the UAE is more popular and offers a different experience with a greater diversity of marine life. Abundant tropical fish, turtles, sharks and barracudas are commonly sighted. Another famous destination for lovers of the underwater world is the neighbouring Musandam Peninsula, where dives are sensational because of rich marine life and beautiful surroundings.