Rising out of the turquoise waters of Fujairah, Dibba Rock and its surrounding coral reef is a firm favorite among divers and snorkelers alike. The vibrant reef habitat of this Marine Reserve is home to a vast array of diverse, colorful and charismatic marine life – most notably a high population of sea turtles and black-tip reef sharks, which affords a very high chance to encounter these most iconic of ocean critters.
The reef’s vibrant shallow gardens, formed of colorful hard and soft corals, give way to deeper rocky slopes on the seaward side, providing a range of depths and environments that support a staggering array of life. Divers and Snorkelers can expect to see a whole host of rainbow-colored reef fish on display here – large shoals of iridescent Fusiliers and bright yellow Sergeants greet you as you enter the water. Snappers, butterflyfish, bannerfish, parrotfish and a multitude of other species abound throughout the site. Divers can expect most of the usual reef suspects to be encountered here – lionfish, box fish, trumpet fish, needlefish, cuttlefish and moray eels, just to name a few. For the keen-eyed observer, you may also spot such macro wonders as nudibranchs, shrimps, gobies and a whole host of other miniscule beauties ready to impress your camera lens. Keep an eye out for the inquisitive clown fishes who will leave their anemone homes to investigate any prying eyes. The rock’s offshore location also allows for frequent pelagic visitors; large species such as queenfish, spotted eagle rays, barracuda and even whale shark may occasionally appear out of the blue!
It is said that Dibba Rock has something for every diver (and snorkeler!) – from the veteran to the newly certified, from photographer to adventurer, and even those looking to take their inaugural dip into the world of scuba (see PADI Discover diving )…so it’s no wonder that Dibba Rock is one of the best loved dive sites of the East Coast
