Beneath the waves in the Arabian Gulf and beyond

The capital of Qatar – once a quaint fishing and pearling town – edges the Arabian Gulf and offers ultra-reliable sunshine and rainbow-hued reefs abundant with marine life. The tranquil (and uninhabited) Al Aaliya Island is a short boat ride from the city (30 minutes) and is a serene spot for snorkelling in crystal-clear waters – you may even be lucky enough to spy exotic fish, sea turtles and coral gardens. Scuba divers will love spotting whale sharks on the cooler northeast coast and may even see dugongs (sea cows) grazing on seagrass and blooms of barracuda fish. Dive deeper to discover the underwater world of wrecks, including a sunken barge, barnacle-covered cars and a ship.

With year-round sunshine and turquoise waters Egypt’s Red Sea is well-known for its coral reefs and scuba diving potential. To avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful swim, head to the former fishing village Hurghada, whose waters are home to angel fish, butterfly fish, parrot fish and even turtles. Or grab a mask and take a dip in the Giftun Islands’ protected marine area, which is renowned for its fanlike gorgonian corals. The Red Sea Diving Safari – an ecotourism-focused dive centre based in Marsa Alam – is a launch pad to 60 offshore diving sites with PADI certified courses available for all levels. Explore underwater landscapes such as canyons, wrecks and reefs.

When it comes to getting bang for your scuba buck, Saudi Arabia delivers. The Al Wajh lagoon is home to one of the largest coral reef systems in the world and a kaleidoscope of vibrant fish, turtles, rays and sharks – and there’s the 22km-long reef of Al Jadir (meaning ‘the wall’ in Arabic). But it’s Jeddah’s wrecks that offer the true wow factor. The Ann Ann shipwreck originally sank near Jeddah in 1977 and is the largest in the area and makes for an exciting dive. The ‘Saudi Titanic’ (Georgios G), another well-known shipwreck, sits just south of Jeddah on Shoaiba beach, while the 365ft Al-Fahad shipwreck has been grounded on the Saudi shores since 2004. If local rumours are true, it’s the haunted home to sea creatures including humphead parrotfish.

For family-friendly watery wonders, head to attraction-packed Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Its waterpark, Yas Waterworld, is home to 40 slides and rides, from thrilling high-speed ‘water coasters’ and wave simulators to a long and winding lazy river to enjoy under the Abu Dhabi sunshine. It also offers a one-of-a-kind pearl diving experience, an aquatic adventure that harks back to Emirati pearl diving heritage. Plunge into the depths of an underwater tank and, with the help of trained instructors, search for oysters containing the precious treasures. It’s a thrill that can be enjoyed by the whole family, though children must be at least eight to take part. Keen to take home a souvenir? Choose to have your pearls set into jewellery after your dive for a charming keepsake.  

The UAE loves superlatives, such as the world’s largest Ferrari logo and tallest building. Deep Dive Dubai, housed in the NAS Sports Complex in the city, is Guinness World Record-certified as the world’s deepest diving pool, so going underwater in Dubai couldn’t be easier. At 60m deep and filled with 14 million litres of fresh water, it delivers immersion in a ‘sunken city’ filled with abandoned streets daubed in (waterproof) graffiti, submerged cars and motorbikes that you can sit on – there’s even an underwater library with readable books. Go with a group so that you can play games of underwater foosball or chess. There’s training on offer and diving for all levels, from scuba fun at 12m to advanced 30-60m plunges. For a leisurely underwater experience, take a day trip from Dubai to nearby (and much quieter) Emirate Fujairah to go snorkelling in tranquil waters (the area is also known for turtle sightings), followed by a guided hike to the cascading Khorfakkan Waterfall, which is illuminated at night.

Pakistan’s southern edge covers no fewer than 840 miles of coastline along the Arabian Sea, with plenty of aqua-themed activities on offer. For PADI certified diving, coast-facing Karachi’s Indus Scuba centre will help you discover the country’s underwater scene. The area is known for its flourishing coral reefs and marine life such as stingrays, barracudas, albino eels and octopus. The wrecks south of Karachi harbour, meanwhile, are well-kept secrets for experienced divers. If you prefer to enjoy aquatic life on dry land, the capital city of Islamabad is home to a new underwater-themed restaurant, Blue Whale. Expect bright floor-to-ceiling murals of sea turtles and, yes, blue whales with tables surrounded by water and a menu spanning steaks, seafood dishes and delicious mocktails.