Dubai is famous for having stunning beaches that have plethora of water sports which include from scuba diving to flyboard.

Not only that, you can do many types of scuba diving. On talking specifically about wreck diving in UAE, there are many fascinating wreck diving sites in Dubai. In this article, you will get to know 6 of them closely.

Fascinating Wreck Diving Sites in Dubai

 

In Dubai, you can get the chance to explore shipwrecks and other wrecks found deep underwater. This will be available to you only if you have a PADI advanced open water diver course at least or its equivalent.

We can find a variety of wreck diving sites in Dubai, which include:

• Zeinab Wreck.
• Mariam Express.
• MV Ludwig.
• Cement Barge.
• Sheikh Mohammed’s Barge.
• MV Victoria star.

Zeinab Wreck

It was a general cargo ship that was known as the seasroun five and was sailing under the Georgian flag. It was engaged in the illegal transportation of oil from Iraq. The ship was deliberately sunk by its crew in 2001 to prevent the US Navy from boarding the ship. It was then carrying 1300 tons of fuel.

The sinking led to a major spelling of oil along the northern Gulf coast a few hundred meters to the offshore gas pipelines causing serious worries to their local gas processing plant.

Depth:

 29 meters

Who is allowed to dive:

 Advanced divers.

Marine life:

Over the years, the shipwreck has attracted a huge variety of marine life thanks to its huge structure. There, you can find:

• A carpet of small oysters covers the surface of the wreck.
• A huge number of juvenile fish which avoid contacting with divers, but some of them can be inquisitive enough to allow you to get close.
• Large rays on the seabed.
• Shoals of barracuda, yellow snappers, and batfish.

Mariam Express

Mariam Express is considered one of the popular wreck diving sites in Dubai. In the past, the ferry’s route was from UAE to Iraq. In 2006, it capsized as a result of overloading and the strong winds. However, it took on water and rapidly sunk, all its crew were rescued.

Depth: 

21 meters.

Who is allowed to dive:

 advanced divers.

Marina life:

After a few months from submersion, the wreck boasted a variety of exotic underwater species which increased over time. On scuba diving there, you can enjoy watching:

• Large and juvenile barracuda.
• A huge number of small oyster shells covering the surface of the wreck.
• Colonial ascidians and sea squirts in different colors.
• Snappers, jacks, and pennant fish.
• Sabretooth blennies, but you need to be focused as their camouflage is excellent.

MV Ludwig

MV Ludwig is among the popular wreck diving sites in Dubai which is mostly well preserved. The Mv Ludwig was a ship that sank in its practice session by a tragic accident. As a result, 283 people died. Today, it is considered a memorial spot for those who died in that accident.

Depth: 

17 meters.

Who is allowed to dive: 

Advanced divers.

Marine life:

The shipwreck serves as a haven for a variety of fish species, such as:

• sea squirts.
• Damselfish.
• Pennant fish and more.

Cement Barge

If you are looking for the most popular wreck diving site in Dubai, go scuba diving now in the cement barge. It is a cement ship that sank in 1971. You can go there also for snorkeling and night diving.

Depth: 

29 meters.

Who is allowed to dive:

Beginner divers.

Shiekh Mohammad’s Barge

As Dubai is seeking to provide the best experiences to its people and tourists through top-notch inventions. One of which is sinking sips for the purpose of making an artificial reef.

Shiekh Mohammed’s Barge was sunk deliberately to increase the number of beautiful wreck diving sites in Dubai. It has been made for divers who looking for something more unique and to create a new artificial habitat for corals and marine species.

Depth:

 23 meters.

Who is allowed to dive: 

Two advanced divers at least.

MV Victoria Star

It is considered among the new diving sites in Dubai and at the top of them. The Victoria Star was a ferry that sank after colliding with another vessel in 2013.

Depth:

 20 meters.

Who is allowed to dive: 

Advanced or highly certified divers.

Marine life:

As a new wreck, it hasn’t many fish species, but it is quickly improving, you can find:

• Areas of sponges, barnacles, and sea squirts.
• Small shoals of snappers, batfish, and monocle bream.
• Occasional humor.
• Hiding small craps.