The Kingdom of Bahrain has a long and storied maritime history that includes fishing and oyster diving, as well as numerous wars at least partially conducted at sea. This beautiful island country is often called the Gateway to the Persian Gulf; comprised of a total of 33 islands, it is a very popular destination with holidaymakers from all over. While Bahrain has some fantastic reefs and even world-class oyster beds to explore, and while it is an excellent place to encounter marine life including whale sharks and dugongs, it is also a fantastic place for wreck diving. There are numerous wrecks including ships, airplanes, and small boats littering the ocean floor around the archipelago. Here, we’ll take a closer look at just a few of Bahrain’s best wreck diving sites.
The Wreck of the Fifi
The Fifi Wreck is located to the Southeast of Bahrain, about a 25 kilometer journey east from Al Dar Island. Often dubbed Bahrain’s best wreck dive, the Fifi was a tug boat that caught fire sometime during the 1980s; she subsequently sank and has had a few decades to develop an outstanding marine ecosystem. Home to surgeonfish, angelfish, stingrays, and sea snakes, the wreck is also frequented by sea turtles. In addition, it serves as a nursery for juvenile barracudas, and its corals and sponges are ideal hideaways for colorful shrimps, crabs, and other macro life.
While many shipwrecks are inaccessible to newer divers because of their depth, the Fifi Wreck sits in just seven meters of water and is suitable even for newer divers. In addition, it is a great destination for night dives – bring your camera and watch what happens when the sun goes down for the evening!
The Caisson
While the Caisson doesn’t have a romantic history as so many of our favorite wreck dives do, it does have a reputation for being one of the very best wreck dives Bahrain has to offer. The reason? This old steel and concrete structure is the perfect artificial reef structure. Home to massive schools of fish including small reef species and larger pelagics including the occasional tuna or jack, it is covered in coral and sponges that make the perfect backdrop for underwater photographs. While it is definitely fun to make your way around and through the vast open structure, it also pays to slow down and look for macro life. You’ll find crabs, shrimps, and all sorts of invertebrates here, along with tiny fish taking shelter among the coral. Located about 20 kilometers from Bahrain, the site is definitely worth the boat ride.
These are just two of the many spectacular dive sites Bahrain has to offer. Bahrain is home to several knowledgeable and well-equipped dive shops, and charters are offered to these sites and others on a regular basis. This historic nation also offers plenty in the way of history, night life, luxurious accommodations, and outstanding cuisine, so be sure to give yourself at least a little time to explore topside areas. Grab your favorite dive buddy and take the road less traveled – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all Bahrain has to offer.