ANNA XYLA - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

The Anna Xyla is a big one, a tanker that burned back in '81 after explosions ripped through her pump and engine rooms while loading crude. We're talking 206 metres long, sitting upright in 25 metres of water. It’s a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of rubble. You drop down onto the main deck, and the scale of it hits you; it's vast. The fire damage is still visible, giving the wreck a raw, almost violent character. We love exploring the bow section, where the anchor chains are still draped across the deck, now completely encrusted with corals. Schools of barracuda often patrol the deeper parts of the wreck, and we've seen honeycomb morays peering out from gaps in the hull plating. Our favourite spot is usually around the bridge structure, where the light plays through the skeletal remains, illuminating the resident batfish. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the way the sea reclaims what's lost, best enjoyed on a calm day when the visibility really opens up the view of the entire structure.

Location
Dubai & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
24.250000, 52.666668
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Wreck History - ANNA XYLA

Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
fire
Tonnage
44,795 GRT

The *Anna Xyla* was a Greek-owned oil tanker built in 1971. For a decade, it served the booming oil industry, a modern vessel designed to transport vast quantities of crude oil across the globe. At a formidable 44,795 GRT, it was a significant player in the energy supply chain of the era, operating in one of the world's most critical oil-producing regions in the Arabian Gulf.

The tanker's career came to a dramatic and fiery end on May 20, 1981. While taking on a cargo of crude oil at the Jebel Dhanna terminal in the UAE, a series of catastrophic explosions ripped through its pump and engine rooms. The resulting fire engulfed the vessel, creating a perilous situation. The burning hulk was quickly towed away and beached in shallow water to prevent it from sinking in the terminal. After the fires were extinguished, the damage was assessed to be beyond repair. The vessel was declared a constructive total loss, refloated, and towed out to a safe location where it sank to its final resting place on June 2nd.

Today, the *Anna Xyla* lies at a depth of 25 meters, making it an accessible and exciting wreck dive. The sheer size of the tanker is impressive, and although the superstructure has collapsed from the intense fire, the hull remains largely intact. Divers can explore the vast deck, peer into cargo holds, and navigate around the mangled remains of the engine and pump rooms where the disaster began. The warm waters have encouraged prolific marine growth, and the wreck now acts as a thriving artificial reef, attracting large schools of snapper, barracuda, and the occasional turtle.

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 ANNA XYLA

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 ANNA XYLA

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