wreck

Log This Dive

HELOU IV

Let’s be honest, Dubai diving isn’t always about sprawling reefs, but the *Helou IV* offers something genuinely special, a proper wreck dive in a place you might not expect. Sunk on Christmas Eve back in 1974 while hauling cargo, this barge now sits upright in just 9 metres of water, making it incredibly accessible for pretty much any diver comfortable with a wreck. We love how the shallow depth floods the interior with natural light, letting you peer into the cargo holds without needing a torch. It’s not just a big metal box, either. Hard and soft corals have started to make a real home here, especially around the exposed edges and inner bulkheads. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, often clinging to the rusting steel, and we’ve regularly seen schools of yellowfin goatfish patrolling the deck. Our favourite spot is usually around the stern, where the structure is a bit more broken up, offering crevices for moray eels to hide. The visibility can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on the tide, so we always try to dive it on an incoming tide for the clearest water. It’s a super relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to practice on a static subject or newer divers getting their first taste of proper wreck penetration.