Abu Dhabi diving

Hi All

Im looking to get some info on the Abu Dhabi diving scene.I could'nt find anything in the threads.As much information as possible will help.Things like

1.Is there a diving scene in Abu Dhabi(coral,fish,etc)

2.Diving companies to use

3.Water and air temp in winter and summer

4.Dive spots

5.How big is the sport.

5.To which other dive area can it be compared

6.Best time to dive

7.Anything that makes it unique

Any info will help,im looking into it on the web too.

Thanls

Travy

I have had some friends work there in the diving industry.

I believe it is thought to be 'up and coming' but will probably remain in this status as from what I am told it is not the greatest.

Apprarently its ok if you are there anyway, but not worth going to on a dive vacation. Most everyone has told me it is ok, but there is so much better close by.

Giles

I've been diving off Dubai ... It was not very nice diving.

Long story, but I was supposed to go to Oman - where the diving is supposed to be quite good - but the border was closed and we couldn't get across.

I have had some friends work there in the diving industry.

 

I believe it is thought to be 'up and coming' but will probably remain in this status as from what I am told it is not the greatest.

Apprarently its ok if you are there anyway, but not worth going to on a dive vacation. Most everyone has told me it is ok, but there is so much better close by.

 

Giles

Thanks Giles

And by better close by you mean?

I've been diving off Dubai ... It was not very nice diving.

 

Long story, but I was supposed to go to Oman - where the diving is supposed to be quite good - but the border was closed and we couldn't get across.

Thanks Jeremy

As i can see from your and Giles's reply,Oman seems to have to only decent diving close by.What a pity

I know the region quite well and have spent a lot of time working on marine surveys off Abu Dhabi, Qatar etc. You can find some coral communities and seagrass beds in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi, but again I wouldn't necessarily go there specifically for the diving. Coral is sparse and scattered when you find it and much has been hammered by bleaching and/or dredging and development. In the best areas you will get a fair cover of Acropora, Favids, Platygyra etc, and there can be a reasonable amount of fish life where you get rocks. Water temperatures range from very warm in the summer 30C + down to below 20C in the winter. You have to get a fair way offshore to get any reasonable depths and there are a few wrecks around that can be dived. Viz ranges from 3m or so when it's stormy up to 15m +.

Better diving can be had around the Musandam peninsula- a few hours drive up the coast from Dubai. It's part of Oman, but border crossing and visas are quite trouble-free these days. Musandam has much more interesting underwater features- fjord-like inlets, strong currents in places, good corals, fish, dolphins and even the odd whale shark.

In the main part of Oman, you should try the Daymaniyat islands, offshore from Sawadi and about 3 or 4 hrs drive from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Great coral and lots of fish, but again visibility is a bit hit or miss and can drop to a few metres if there is an algal bloom. All nice diving and some unique features, but can't rival the Red Sea.

Hope that's some help. Incidentally, looks like you're from Cape Town- I'm going to be out there for work mid-late Oct and hoping to squeeze a couple of dive trips in. Any recommendations? (already considering a cage dive at Dyer Island and the cow sharks in False Bay).

Cheers

Fergus

I know the region quite well and have spent a lot of time working on marine surveys off Abu Dhabi, Qatar etc. You can find some coral communities and seagrass beds in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi, but again I wouldn't necessarily go there specifically for the diving. Coral is sparse and scattered when you find it and much has been hammered by bleaching and/or dredging and development. In the best areas you will get a fair cover of Acropora, Favids, Platygyra etc, and there can be a reasonable amount of fish life where you get rocks. Water temperatures range from very warm in the summer 30C + down to below 20C in the winter. You have to get a fair way offshore to get any reasonable depths and there are a few wrecks around that can be dived. Viz ranges from 3m or so when it's stormy up to 15m +.

Better diving can be had around the Musandam peninsula- a few hours drive up the coast from Dubai. It's part of Oman, but border crossing and visas are quite trouble-free these days. Musandam has much more interesting underwater features- fjord-like inlets, strong currents in places, good corals, fish, dolphins and even the odd whale shark.

In the main part of Oman, you should try the Daymaniyat islands, offshore from Sawadi and about 3 or 4 hrs drive from Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Great coral and lots of fish, but again visibility is a bit hit or miss and can drop to a few metres if there is an algal bloom. All nice diving and some unique features, but can't rival the Red Sea.

 

Hope that's some help. Incidentally, looks like you're from Cape Town- I'm going to be out there for work mid-late Oct and hoping to squeeze a couple of dive trips in. Any recommendations? (already considering a cage dive at Dyer Island and the cow sharks in False Bay).

 

Cheers

 

Fergus

Thanks Fergus

Thats the most detailed account of the scene there that i have read so far.There is not much pics on the net too and Oman seems to represent the only real decent diving in that region.

I may be going to that region(Abu Dhabi) for work and im trying to get a sense of where things are.As you said,i can do an overnighter in Oman for some diving.

Thanks for all that info,i may call on you again i hope you dont mind.

Yes,coming to Cape Town.Well unlike the UAE, the diving here is fantastic and dramatic(abit cold though).Big fish big sharks you name it.You can dive right now in False Bay with the cow sharks that true as Jean will attest,he has pics.If you gonna do the Gaansbaai trip with the Great Whites,book with Charmaine at White Shark Projects.She is great and they have a fantastic operation.I do all my Filming assignments with them.The water here is very cold,about 15-17 degress in False Bay so you will need at least a 7mm with hoodie.As you move up the east coast towards Gaansbaai for the GW,the water get abit better.

Plus you are in for a treat,it's whale season at the moment so all the whales are parked off in shallows of Walker Bay,Hermanus,and a few in False Bay.On your White shark dive,your' bound to see some southern right whales past you and the sharks trying to get you.

Cheers

Travy