The gulf coast of Saudi Arabia has innumerable world’s most untouched underwater hidden treasures. Skilled scuba divers consider exploring the underwater world of the gulf to be the ultimate adventure. Scuba diving in Dammam offers a peek into these beautiful marine lives, wrecks, and virgin reefs. The deeper one dives, the more creatures and unusual species they will find near the Dammam coast. The city offers countless undersea treasures and marine species along with the assistance of a professional divers’ community. The best spots to enjoy diving in Dammam include Half Moon Bay, Karan Island, and Jana Island.
Top spots for scuba diving in Dammam
1. Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, 52 km south of Dammam, was a popular stop for Arab traders from the Arabian Gulf region. Because of its family-friendly arrangement and numerous diving spots, Half Moon Bay today has become a popular scuba diving destination. The shore dives are calm, with an average water depth of around 7-10 meters, making it a perfect place to learn scuba diving with friends and family. The shore diving location contains artificial reefs with beautiful corals. The coral reefs are home to a diverse array of marine creatures, including a considerable number of sharks.
Marine creatures, you may spot: Green turtles, stingrays, tiger sharks, and barracudas are among the popular species found in the area.
2. Marjan Island
Marjan Island is a man-made island built to serve as a tourist spot in Dammam. The island in itself is an attraction, along with beautiful diving and snorkeling spots nearby. The scuba divers get the assistance of nearby diving professionals while diving close to Marjan Island. Scuba diving near the island is comparatively easy; hence, the place is best for first-time divers. The divers will find a plethora of marine creatures and some of gulf’s biggest fishes around the island.
Marine creatures, you may spot: Grouper, Goatfish, Mackerel, and Striped Tuna
Must Read: Marjan Island: A beautiful Island In Dammam For Family Visit
3. Jana Island and Karan Island
Jana Island or Jinna Island is located around 107 km from Dammam and 20 km northeast of Jubail. The island is known for its marine beauty, along with scuba diving and boating activities. It was the forefront battleground during the second gulf war, and most of the area shows the aftermath of the war. However, with rehabilitation and natural breeding, the location has become a perfect place to spot green sea turtles. There are numerous wrecks near the island, so indulging in underwater exploring activities is best. Further, a few more kilometers north of Jinna Island lies Karan island, another great place for scuba diving in Dammam. Enthusiastic scuba divers cover both locations on scuba diving trips, while amateurs stick to one of the locations.
Marine creatures, you may spot: Green turtles and barracudas.
Cost of scuba diving in Dammam
Depending on the different Dammam dive centers, the scuba diving in Dammam price is normally around SR 300 to 400. Additionally, one may incur the traveling fee from Dammam to the dive spots as an overhead cost.
Best time to go scuba diving in Dammam
The Persian Gulf environment makes for ideal diving conditions all year round. The surface temperature of the water remains constant between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 32 degrees Celsius). The best months to dive in the Persian Gulf are from March to June.
Things to remember while scuba diving in Dammam
The most important things to remember while scuba diving in Dammam are:
- Scuba divers should not jump into the water abruptly. They should always undertake a practice dive in a pool to get a feel of the depth of the dive.
- Scuba divers must stay hydrated. Diving causes the body to lose a lot of water, so staying hydrated is crucial.
- They should always follow their instructors’ instructions. Cooperation and coordination with a dive guide are essential.
- They must always remain with their group.
- Scuba divers should avoid touching anything at all. Maintain a safe distance from the items and creatures on the reefs or wrecks.
Dammam is a contemporary town that flourishes on its beachfront setting, with infinite vistas of the peaceful Arabian Gulf. It is renowned for its beautiful green parks, open waterfronts, and beautiful beaches. The city is also quite pleasant in the winter, with daily temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius during day and nighttime temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius. The region is also gaining a reputation as a hotspot for arts, sports, and leisure. The coastline of Dammam is one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling locations in the world. It has various unique spots to explore the magnificent aquatic animals that live deep beneath the surface of the Persian Gulf.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Places To Visit In Dammam: From Heritage Village To Adventure World
Scuba Diving In Dammam FAQs
Which are the top spots for Scuba diving in Dammam?
Half Moon Bay, Marjan Island, Jana Island, and Karan Island are the top Scuba diving spots in Dammam.
What is the cost of scuba diving in Dammam?
SR 300 to 400 is the cost of scuba diving at Dammam. The price may fluctuate as per the season.
Where can one spot green turtles in Dammam?
Divers can spot green turtles at Half Moon Bay and Jana Island.
How far is Half Moon Bay from Dammam?
Half Moon Bay is 52 km from Dammam.
When is the best time to go scuba diving in Dammam?
March to June is the appropriate time to indulge in the activity.