thesighter
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Hi, I've got a week in Dubai in January. Would appreciate suggestions on places to go diving (UAE, Oman, etc..). Am open to suggestions. Cheers.
Dubai in Jan
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The cooler months in the UAE generally get better visibility.
To make any syggestions, what sort of diving are you after?
If you want wrecks, then the west coast (Dubai side), will give you more variety, but if you are after marine life, then I would suggest the east coast (Fujeirah), or into Mussandam (Oman).
If it is deep wrecks, then there is the Innes (72m), Anita (90m) and a U-Boat (105m) all on the east coast
To make any syggestions, what sort of diving are you after?
If you want wrecks, then the west coast (Dubai side), will give you more variety, but if you are after marine life, then I would suggest the east coast (Fujeirah), or into Mussandam (Oman).
If it is deep wrecks, then there is the Innes (72m), Anita (90m) and a U-Boat (105m) all on the east coast
The Dimaniyat Islands down near Al Sawadi Beach Resort in Oman are spectacular. Not sure how well the dive shop is run anymore but the sites are great. That would be about 3 hours drive from Dubai and you would have to negotiate the border crossing.
+1 for what Simon and Maples have mentioned.
When do you have the time to dive? At weekends here (Fri/Sat) you can travel by dhow to Musandam for some really good diving.
If you are free for the week then I would recommend traveling to Oman and diving the Damaniyats, however you will need transport, and a passport that allows entry to Oman and re-entry back to UAE without applying for additional visas.
If you cannot leave UAE then the east coast will allow you to do better diving than the west coast IMHO, but it is a 2 hour dive from Dubai.
If you have limited time then the Dubai option might be your only choice, contact Pavilion Diving at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel or Atlantis Dive Centre at the Atlantis Hotel.
When do you have the time to dive? At weekends here (Fri/Sat) you can travel by dhow to Musandam for some really good diving.
If you are free for the week then I would recommend traveling to Oman and diving the Damaniyats, however you will need transport, and a passport that allows entry to Oman and re-entry back to UAE without applying for additional visas.
If you cannot leave UAE then the east coast will allow you to do better diving than the west coast IMHO, but it is a 2 hour dive from Dubai.
If you have limited time then the Dubai option might be your only choice, contact Pavilion Diving at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel or Atlantis Dive Centre at the Atlantis Hotel.
Hi there, thought I'd just interfere as well 
I was on business in Dubai and only had a few days to go diving. I booked diving with Divers Down on the East Coast. They picked me up, I stayed in the hotel their dive center is in and it was awesome. Visibility wasn't as good as the Red Sea (not many places are), but the diving was awesome with seahorses, black tip reef sharks, different moray eels, a very curious turtle, schools of barracuda etc etc. Actually, it was so good that I am going to start working for them this month - I'm leaving the Similans in Thailand to go there, so it must be good
Enjoy
Karin
I was on business in Dubai and only had a few days to go diving. I booked diving with Divers Down on the East Coast. They picked me up, I stayed in the hotel their dive center is in and it was awesome. Visibility wasn't as good as the Red Sea (not many places are), but the diving was awesome with seahorses, black tip reef sharks, different moray eels, a very curious turtle, schools of barracuda etc etc. Actually, it was so good that I am going to start working for them this month - I'm leaving the Similans in Thailand to go there, so it must be good Enjoy
Karin
Welcome to the UAE Karin
Murf-Diver
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I agree with the postings above. The Diving around Dubai is very poor and not really worth the effort to be honest. Its similar to the sandy areas around the south of Spain and France only hotter. In Massandam things are better with more life but the viz is not great and its a bit of a drive to get there from Dubai.
Over in Fujeirah things are much better, loads of life and very relaxed around the town of Dibba.
If dived with Divers Down in September and really enjoyed the day out. There dive centre is right on the beach and well run. The viz in the area is not as good as the Rea Sea but I think there is actually more life in Fujeirah than around Sharm El Sheikh and Hurrgada. Plus the drive over from Dubai is really nice, where you get to see the 'real' Arabia and not just the glass and concrete of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. And the town of Dibba has the coolest roundabout statues!!
Check it out...:cool2:
Over in Fujeirah things are much better, loads of life and very relaxed around the town of Dibba.
If dived with Divers Down in September and really enjoyed the day out. There dive centre is right on the beach and well run. The viz in the area is not as good as the Rea Sea but I think there is actually more life in Fujeirah than around Sharm El Sheikh and Hurrgada. Plus the drive over from Dubai is really nice, where you get to see the 'real' Arabia and not just the glass and concrete of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. And the town of Dibba has the coolest roundabout statues!!
Check it out...:cool2:
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