The placid waters of the Arabian Sea are ideal for motorized watersports and scuba diving. UAE being predominantly a coastal country offers unlimited options for watersports. The long coastline and the shallow waters of the Gulf provide an ideal environment for water sports. Adventure and sport enthusiasts are well catered for and facilities for diving, deep sea fishing, sailing, snorkeling, cruising, scuba diving and powerboat racing are truly world-class. Here’s a list of some of the most exciting watersports activities in the UAE.
1: Diving and Snorkeling
The waters of UAE offer a range of diving and snorkeling facilities to suit all levels of experience. The reefs and spectacular wrecks along the Abu Dhabi/Dubai coasts have relatively little tidal movement and currents are few in the shallow Gulf waters. Diving on the East Coast is different with upwelling from the Indian Ocean encouraging a greater diversity of marine life. Off the coast of Khor Fakkan there are more than ten dive sites within just a few minutes boat ride from the shore. Typically some of the best sites are submerged rocks that have been colonized by soft corals.
There is abundant tropical fish life and turtles are commonly sighted. During winter months grey reef sharks are often seen. The diving gets steadily more demanding and more varied as the coast runs northwards. From the ancient town of Dibba it is possible to reach a wealth of deeper dive sites within half an hour’s boat ride. Mountains that plunge directly into the ocean are covered in soft corals to depths of 40m and a cave system offers exciting diving for experienced and suitably qualified divers. Nurse and leopard sharks are regularly seen and whale shark sightings are not unknown during the cooler months.
Certified divers must produce their certification card if they wish to avail of diving facilities in the UAE. Equipment and boat hire are available at the dive centers, many of which are located at various hotels around the country. If you are a novice, training courses of 2–5 days duration are available.
2: Sailing & Surfing
Conditions in the Gulf are perfect for sailing, with a constant, predictable wind year round, little tide and warm weather. Windsurfers and dinghies dot the water around Dubai’s sailing clubs and marinas as residents and visitors take advantage of the conditions. Lasers and a limited range of other boats, as well as windsurf boards and jet-skis, are available for hire, with instruction from specialized clubs and the hotel-linked marinas.
3: Water Skiing
Facilities for water-skiing are available in Dubai, and arrangements with professional local operators can be made through most hotels. The Dubai International Marine Club at Mina Seyahi hosts international and local water sports events, which include races on dhows and jet-skis to world championship powerboats. The Dubai Water Ski Club is situated on a calm section of Dubai Creek, away from the commercial operations of the creek and offers facilities for wakeboarding, knee boarding, water skiing and jet skiing.
4: Fishing
Fishing in the Gulf was once a mainstay of the local economy. The Gulf waters are teeming with fish- kingfish, marlin, jackfish, red snapper, tuna, bonito, rock cod, barracuda and other species are caught commercially and for sport. September to April is the most productive period, although it is possible to catch sailfish and kingfish in the hot summer months. Sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks are regularly landed by visiting fishermen who can hire fully equipped boats for deep-sea fishing trips. A number of operators organize deep sea fishing excursions on private boats.
5: Powerboat Racing
Powerboat racing is one of the favourite water sports enjoyed in the Gulf waters. The UAE created history in this sport when its crew won the UIM Class Two World Offshore event for the second time in May 1998. Fujairah was the venue for the UIM Class One Championship the same year in October giving it international exposure. Powerboat races are held throughout the year in the UAE and culminates in December in the Dubai Duty Free Grand Prix held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
6: Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing is the latest Watersports in Dubai. Kitesurfers are attached to the kite via a harness, which helps to control the power of the kite. Kites are usually 3 to 20 m in size and can either have two or four 20 to 27 m lines that are attached to the control bar. In recognition of the popularity of this sport, the Dubai International Kitesurfing Tournament is a three-day competition held annually in March. Competition is open to international and local kitesurfers, with long distance racing and freestyle tricks categories.
Wild Wadi water theme Park
Wild Wadi is a water theme park that covers 12 acres and comprises 24 adrenaline pumping, rides and slides. Wild Wadi theme park is designed like an Arabian wadi with Arabian Folklore characteristics. Wild Wadi has many interconnecting rides, as well as the largest wave pool in the Middle East. It is set amidst the stunning scenery of the Burj Al Arab and The Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
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