ARIADNE - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

The Ariadne, previously known by a handful of other names, is a seriously big tanker, sunk back in '87. At 263 metres long, this isn't a wreck you’ll see in a single dive, even at its shallowest points. We love how the sheer scale of it hits you as you descend; the hull stretches out into the gloom, often with barracuda hovering just off the superstructure. Given its size, we suggest focusing on different sections each time you visit. The stern is always a favourite of ours, with the giant propeller blades still largely intact and often circled by schools of trevally. Penetration isn't really an option here, but you can get some great swims over and through the open deck spaces. The wreck provides a home for plenty of reef fish now – we’ve seen everything from snapper to angelfish picking their way through the rusted metalwork. Visibility can be a bit variable, so pick your day, but when it’s good, the light reflecting off the sandy bottom makes for some moody wide-angle shots. It’s a site that really rewards repeat visits, letting you piece together its story bit by bit.

Location
Dubai & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
25.121666, 54.865833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - ARIADNE

Year Sunk
1987
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
unknown
Tonnage
48,938 GRT

The ship known to divers as the Ariadne had a long and well-travelled career under a succession of different names. She was built in 1968 at the renowned Nippon Kokan shipyard in Yokohama, Japan, as the Jarena, a massive oil tanker designed to carry crude oil across the globe. Throughout her nearly 20-year service life, she changed hands and flags multiple times, being renamed Afran Dawn (1977), Atena M (1982), Hena (1983), and Octonia Glory (1984), before finally receiving the name Ariadne.

The final chapter of the Ariadne's story is less clear than her commercial history. On December 15, 1987, the tanker sank off the coast of the UAE. While the exact cause of her sinking is not widely documented, she came to rest on the sandy seabed, where she began her transformation from an industrial vessel into a thriving artificial reef.

Today, the Ariadne is a fantastic wreck dive, conveniently located at a maximum depth of 17 meters. Her immense hull is broken into large, explorable sections, offering swim-throughs and points of interest for divers. The warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Arabian Gulf have encouraged prolific marine growth, and the wreck is now covered in corals and home to huge schools of snapper and barracuda, as well as moray eels, rays, and the occasional turtle. Its accessible depth and abundant marine life make the Ariadne a premier dive site in the region, suitable for divers of all levels.

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 ARIADNE

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 ARIADNE

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