Dubai’s Marine Life: A Dive into the Vibrant Underwater World

On the surface, Dubai will astound you with its luxurious hotels, high-end shopping malls, modern architecture, mesmerizing sand dunes, and other wonderful tourist attractions. But the fascination doesn’t end there because beneath the waves of Dubai is a whole new world. Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai has a vibrant underwater world bursting with beauty and diversity. This makes Dubai a favorite dive destination of many scuba divers from different parts of the world. Learn more about our discover scuba deals Dubai and book your next scuba diving trip now. 

Dubai’s marine life is like a kaleidoscope filled with stunning colors, different shapes, and mesmerizing patterns. There’s always something new worth seeing that’s why every dive is different and special. Some of the amazing marine life sightings in Dubai include:

Rays 

Encountering rays in the water is always a treat for scuba divers because they are such graceful and powerful creatures. Watching rays glide effortlessly in the underwater world is nothing short of stunning. One of the rays that you may encounter during your scuba diving Dubai is the spotted eagle ray. 

As the name implies, spotted eagle rays can be recognized by the white spots on their backs. They are one of the largest eagle rays and they thrive in warm waters throughout the world, including the UAE. A fun fact about spotted eagle rays is that they can leap out of the water while swimming near the surface.

It is possible to spot them swimming in small groups or big groups of 50-100 individuals. Although they are generally shy species and avoid human contact, be careful not to get too close because they are equipped with venomous spines on their tails that they can use to defend themselves if they feel threatened. 

You may also come across other species such as the majestic manta rays which are the largest species of rays. These graceful swimmers can develop  “wingspans” over 20 feet (6 m) and weigh as heavy as 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) or even more. Manta rays use their wing-like pectoral fins to maneuver effortlessly through the water and burst into speed when the urge arises.

Migratory species of cownose rays may also be seen in these waters. They often travel in large groups and nothing beats witnessing this firsthand. 

Plethora of fish

Dubai’s warm waters are a haven for a wide range of fish species. Their vibrant colors, variety of shapes, and intricate details contribute to the beauty and tranquility of the underwater world. Some common fish sightings in Dubai are pufferfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, clownfish, boxfish, parrotfish, angelfish, guitarfish, bannerfish, cornetfish, wrasse, grouper, and more.

Sea turtles

Sea turtles love cruising along the warm water of the UAE. Green Turtles love these waters and they are usually spotted swimming along coral reefs and bays. They can be distinguished from other turtles by the greenish color of their skin. Green Turtles are one of the largest marine turtles in the world and they can weigh up to 700 pounds. Their favorite foods are shrimps, jellyfish, algae, mollusks, squid, octopus, and mollusks. You can also come across Hawksbill turtles which have pointed and narrow beaks. They also have unique patterns on their shells.

Moray eels

Moray eels are elongated, slender, and slimy creatures that have piercing eyes and razor-sharp teeth. They are fascinating yet intimidating at the same time. Moray eels come in different colors and sizes. These predators have poor eyesight so they depend on their keen sense of smell to find their prey. 

When scuba diving in Dubai, you may spot a moray eel poking its head out of a hole or nook in corals or rocks. A moray eel is not usually aggressive unless provoked. When you see a moray eel, observe it from a distance and avoid disturbing it. 

Book a dive trip to enjoy Dubai’s marine life

A wide variety of fish species, rays, sea turtles, and moray eels are just a few marine creatures that you might see if you book a Dubai dive trip. Get in touch with our dive center to know about our courses, trips, and scuba diving Dubai prices. Enjoy a memorable dive with us and be fascinated by incredible marine life sightings.