ALAMINA - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Okay, let's talk about the *Alamina*. It’s a shallow dive, barely 7m deep, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's boring. This isn't a coral spectacle; it's a piece of maritime history, sunk during heavy weather back in 1971 while on passage for Dubai. The *Alamina* lies broken, spread out across the seabed, and that’s precisely what makes it fascinating. We love how accessible it is. You can spend a good chunk of time just finning slowly over the scattered remains, imagining the vessel in her prime. What we really enjoy is watching the smaller reef fish darting in and out of the twisted metal, schools of snapper and barracuda often hang motionless just above the wreckage. It’s an easy dive, great for anyone who wants to get up close with a wreck without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Our favourite trick is to go during slack tide, often mid-morning, when the visibility tends to be at its best. You can really take your time exploring the nooks and crannies. It’s perfect for new wreck divers, or anyone who enjoys seeing how time and the sea reclaim man-made objects.

Location
Dubai & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
25.185133, 55.199867
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - ALAMINA

Year Sunk
1971
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm

The Alamina was a lighter vessel, a type of flat-bottomed barge essential for transferring cargo between larger ships and the shore in the bustling ports of the UAE. Her working life came to an end on April 26, 1971, while on passage for Dubai. Caught in severe weather, the vessel was overwhelmed and sank, becoming a permanent feature of the seabed.

Resting in just 7 meters of water, the Alamina is an ideal site for novice divers, training dives, or a long, relaxed second dive of the day. The shallow depth ensures excellent light penetration and extended bottom times. Although classified as a dangerous wreck, suggesting she is broken up or has potential hazards, this also creates numerous nooks and crannies for marine life to colonize. Divers can expect to find a lively artificial reef that is easily accessible just off the coast.

Marine Protected Area: محمية جبل على الطبيعية

Best Time to Dive in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

The warmest water temperatures in Dubai & Abu Dhabi occur in January, averaging 23.3°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 23.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.3°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • February: 23.3°C (air: 20.6°C)
  • March: 23.3°C (air: 23.4°C)
  • April: 23.3°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • May: 23.3°C (air: 30.3°C)
  • June: 23.3°C (air: 33.5°C)
  • July: 23.3°C (air: 35.4°C)
  • August: 23.3°C (air: 35.1°C)
  • September: 23.3°C (air: 32.9°C)
  • October: 23.3°C (air: 29.8°C)
  • November: 23.3°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • December: 23.3°C (air: 22.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Nearest Dive Centres to ALAMINA

Marine Life in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Home to 25 recorded species including 7 reef fish, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 crabs & lobsters, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALAMINA

Based on average water temperature of 23.3°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 23°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories