Dubai is the biggest city, and second largest territory, in the United Arab Emirates. Surrounded by large desert, yet located on the coast, Dubai is in an ideal location for some adventurous diving. Scuba diving in the Middle East is particularly exhilarating, as descending under the water is an ideal antidote to the surrounding, comparatively lifeless desert.

Water temperature is constantly warm, averaging around 22.8 Celsius and sometimes maximum at around 33.9 Celsius, making it suitable for diving without a wet suit. Dive Locations and Dive Shops There are several locations to dive in the waters across Dubai and the UAE, as well as many expert and amazing dive shops to service your dive. If you are not yet certified as a scuba diver, most of these shops offer all of the basic essential training with certified dive masters. Scuba diving is an extraordinary way to complement any travel.

After all, how can you actually call yourself a global traveller if 70% of the world is covered with water? Some dive shops are built into and operate under the supervision of a resort or hotel. This is a very easy way to dive as your shop is located on the same grounds as your hotel, sometimes right on the water. Many dive shops located on the beach have a "house reef" that is a short distance from the shop itself. Dive shops with your hotel will know the best places to visit on a daily basis, according to the varying day to day dive conditions at different sites. In Dubai, diving can consist of wreck diving and natural or artificial reef diving. The M.V. Dara is one of the most popular wrecks to visit due to its dive conditions and accessibility.

It was a passenger boat that crossed the Arabian Gulf regularly, when a bomb exploded on board and caused it to sink off the coast of Dubai in the early 1960s. Approximately 238 passengers died in the accident, making it the second most tragic boat sinking, after the Titanic.

She hit the bottom on her starboard side, resting in 17 meters of water, making it an easy dive for all certifications. There is a lot of marine life, and depending on visibility conditions, it can be a very exciting. Marine life: Turtles, eels, octopus, batfish, snapper, jacks, parrotfish, soft corals occasional rays, hammerhead and reef sharks. In Al Fujayrah you may also find barracuda, tuna, squid, seahorses, lionfish and clownfish as well as seeing hard coral and, if you are very lucky, whale and reef sharks.

When to go: Flights go direct to Dubai all year round, however it is generally recommended to avoid July and August due to the heat (35 45 degree Celsius ). This is considered the off-season so the hotels are fairly empty and flights can be obtained cheaply. During the rest of the year air temperatures range from 25 35degree Celsius (77 95 degree F). In Al Fujayrah there is a plankton bloom during late June / July.