Expatriate Forums in Kuwait

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KUWAIT SCUBA DIVING : Scuba Diving in Kuwait Guide

Diving in Kuwaiti Waters

Kuwait stands at the North Eastern end of the Arabian Gulf. There are a number of good coral reefs in Kuwaiti waters which support a rich and varied underwater ecosystem. The offshore islands of Kubbar, Maradim and Qaruh have extensive fringing coral reefs. There are also a number of submerged reefs, some close to shore such as Donkey Reef and some more remote like Mudayarah Reef. The reefs off Kuwait are some of the most Northerly coral reefs in the world and, considering the local conditions of high turbidity and salinity, and wide temperature fluctuations, there are some remarkably good hard coral formations.

Generally the diving is limited to a depth of 15 metres or so. Although some of the reefs shelve off quite rapidly to 25 metres or more the conditions limit coral growth to about 15 metres at most. The exception is a small wreck lying in 36 metres close to Qaruh. This is a demanding dive usually requiring decompression stops so only for experienced divers.

Underwater visibility varies from less than one metre on occasions to more than 20 metres on others. Generally you can expect 6 to 10 metres. It can produce thrilling glimpses of turtles, rays and barracuda and regularly provides a fascinating kaleidoscope of submarine life. Even whale sharks have been seen on occasions! The waters of Kuwait can be dived without a wetsuit for much of the year - the water can reach 32 or 33 degrees centigrade in the summer - but a wetsuit (or even a drysuit) is definitely needed in the winter months when the water temperature can fall to 15 degrees or less.

Contacts:

* Dive Caroline. P.O. Box 579, Safat 13006, Kuwait Tel/fax: 5625313

* Q8Divers. Salmia Block 11 Jaber Ben Hayyan Street. Kuwait. Bldg# 18. P.O. Box: 746 Serra, Zip Code:45708 Kuwait. Tel: 965-5661751 Fax:965-5661752 Web : http://www.q8divers.com

* Kuwait Diving Centre. Salmia, Alkhansa'a Street, Salmia sport club, Tel: +965-575-5355 Fax: +965-575-5366
Web : http://kcd.com.kw
Kuwaiti center for diving and water activities showed a great success in attracting people all over Kuwait, who love this sport, to join its diving school which is specialized in scuba diving training under the supervision of professional qualified instructors and assistant instructors.

By joining the diving school, candidates will then enroll in courses which are divided mainly into three different stages, starting with academic lectures, followed by practical sessions taking place in the Olympic swimming pool and ending with the open water sessions.

By the completion of these courses candidates will then receive license from the national association of under water instructors (NAUI) qualifying them to practice their diving hobby in any diving site world wide.

Diving courses are available through out the year qualifying candidates to participate in the advanced diving courses.

Source: kuwaitmatas.com, dogsbreathdivers.com, kcd.com.kw