Expatriate Forums in Bahrain

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BAHRAIN DIVING :Diving & Fishing in Bahrain Guide

There is a variety of diving available in Bahrain � however, most divers travel to Bahrain to try their famous pearl diving. Bahrain claims that diving was �invented� in its shallow waters, as history shows that pearl diving was occurring in Bahrain as far back as 5000 years. Over 400 sq miles of oyster beds flourish in the warm, shallow waters of Bahrain, offering a very unusual diving experience. The name �Bahrain� actually derives from two Arabic words � thnain Bahr � meaning �two seas�; this refers to the existence of fresh water springs located under the sea bed. This phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the unusual lustre of Bahraini pearls, the country�s main economy before the discovery of oil. Bahraini natural pearls are considered the finest in the world, and � incredibly - if you find a pearl whilst diving, its yours to keep; an excellent (and possibly valuable!) souvenir.

Other than reef diving, Bahrain offers a variety of wreck dives, including ships, planes, tugs and barges. Indo Pacific species including clown fish, trigger fish, surgeon fish, turtles, rays, lion fish, grouper, snapper, crayfish and even whalesharks; while tuna, mackerel, trevally and barracuda cruise above. Dugongs (sea cows) can be seen feeding on the sea grass in southern Bahrain during cooler months.

The sea bottom composition in Bahrain is primarily sand, with extensive rock formations. There is an average underwater visibility of 5 metres (15 feet) inshore and up to 25 metres (80 feet) on the more distant offshore reefs. Diving is generally from boats.

DIVE SITES

-FIFI WRECK: located 5 miles off the east coast of Bahrain, Fifi is a small tugboat wreck swarming with marine life. This location is especially popular for night dives.

-CAISSON WRECK: 20 miles off the coast of Bahrain, this concrete and steel structure is home to a myriad of fish species, that live above and within its framework.

-ABU THALMA: 45 miles northeast of Bahrain, this coral-coated pinnacle offers excellent drift diving and some of the most prolific marine life in the Gulf. Rays, moray eels, crayfish, trigger fish, clown fish, turtles, and sturgeon fish inhabit the reef while mackerel, cobia, tuna and barracuda cruise above.

-FASHT NAJWAH: 50 nautical miles north of Bahrain, Najwah is endowed with
the most Indo-Pacific fish species typically found in the Red Sea, Maldives and Great Barrier Reef. Fed by a cool upwelling from the surrounding depths, Najwah is an excellent dive location for advanced divers and photographers. During the season, Najwah is an excellent location from which to see whalesharks.

TRAVEL

Gulf Air is Bahrain�s national carrier, with regular flights to London and other major mainland European and Middle Eastern destinations. It is rare to get cheap flights to Bahrain, however, once in Bahrain there are often special deals to other destinations in the Middle East, particularly Oman and the United Arab Emirates. There is an airport departure fee of BD3.

It is possible to travel to Saudi Arabia by bus or car across the incredible King Fahd Causeway. For those driving, there is a toll of BD2 per vehicle.

Buses leave Manama daily to destinations within Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic and United Arab Emirates.

There are infrequent ferry links between Bahrain and Iran and Iraq.

Visa:

Visitors from EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the USA may obtain visa�s on arrival for tourist stays of up to two weeks. This costs approximately USD$13.00.

Source: www.bsactravelclub.co.uk