While Bahrain has plenty to offer, particularly where reef and wreck dives are concerned, this lovely island nation is also home to some marine species that can be difficult to find in most places. Here, we’ll enjoy a quick encounter with Bahrain’s marine life – large and small alike.
Dugongs
Bahrain’s Dugong population is one of the largest to be found anywhere. While these animals are listed as vulnerable on IUCN’s Red List, the country views them as a national treasure and consistently takes measures to protect them. Most Dugong encounters take place in Bahrain’s southern waters, where sea grass is plentiful; it is not uncommon to encounter massive herds of Dugong with as many as 100 individuals here. Bahrain’s government is working with UNESCO in an attempt to have its sea grass habitat named as a World Heritage Site, which would provide even more protection for the dugongs that live there. If you hope to encounter dugongs while diving in Bahrain, look for a charter that can take you to the Dugong herding area located between Bahrain Island and the Hawar Islands. The best time to encounter large herds congregating is between August and early April of each year.
Whale Sharks
While whale sharks do not often come in close to shore in Bahraini waters, they travel through the area near Bulthama Reef each year. This small dive site is located about a two-hour boat ride from Bahrain’s north coast, and though that ride can be a choppy one, the sights you’ll see once you arrive at the reef are amazing. A fairly challenging site with quite a bit of current, Bulthama Reef is covered in brilliant hard and soft corals and is home to hundreds of different species of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, and more – so there’s plenty to see while you’re waiting for the whale sharks to arrive. The best time to encounter whale sharks in Bahrain is between March and April; there is of course no guarantee that you will spot whale sharks when you visit, but Bahrain’s dive operators do their best to see to it that your chances of a whale shark encounter are as good as possible.
Cetaceans
While diving in Bahrain, it’s possible that you might encounter cetaceans, and it’s also likely that you may spot these marine mammals while traveling to and from dive sites. The two cetacean species you are most likely to encounter while in Bahrain are the Finless Porpoise and various marine dolphins. The Finless porpoise looks a bit like a Beluga Whale and is typically found traveling alone, in a pair, or rarely in a pod of up to about 12 individuals. These animals like to stay in fairly shallow water and though they don’t often conduct acrobatic maneuvers above the surface, they are graceful and active while swimming through the water column. Dolphins are encountered with some regularity; do count yourself lucky if you spot Sousa Chinensis, or the Chinese White Dolphin, which is sometimes encountered in Bahrain’s waters. This dolphin ranges in color from pastel pink to pure white, with most individuals being a fairly pale grey color.
Bahrain’s marine life is wonderfully varied, and you can expect to see fish and other small creatures even at sites that have been compromised by human activity. As Bahrain works toward greater sustainability, problems with silt and coral die-off have the potential to be reversed. While this is a slow process, there is definitely hope for the future! For now, the further you go from the islands themselves, the greater your chances of encountering a wide variety of healthy marine life will be. So grab your camera and don’t forget your seasickness remedies if you need them. The ride might be bumpy, but the rewards are fantastic.