MARJAN - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Marjan isn't just a wreck dive, it's a slice of history sitting upright on the seabed. This 97-meter cargo vessel went down in 1983, and its story is one of those that sticks with you – fifteen bodies recovered, a proper maritime mystery. We love how the Marjan has become a real home for the local reef fish, a stark contrast to its tragic past. Dropping down, the sheer scale of it is what hits you first. The bow is particularly imposing, still mostly intact. We'd suggest spending some time exploring the forward holds; you can often spot large groupers lurking in the shadows, along with schools of snappers that swirl inside the darker spaces. Visibility can be a bit variable here, so we always try to hit it on a rising tide for the best conditions. Even on a slightly murkier day, the wreck's outline is clear enough to navigate, and the feeling of diving into that history is palpable. It’s a compelling dive for anyone who appreciates a wreck with a real story behind it, not just a pile of twisted metal.

Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates: 25.000000, 53.500000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 23m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to MARJAN

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

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Shore crab (Metopograpsus messor) - Crabs & Lobsters
Brain coral (Platygyra daedalea) - Hard Corals
Pacific blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
Stony coral (Porites solida) - Hard Corals
Lesser star coral (Cyphastrea microphthalma) - Hard Corals
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
Man-of-war Fish (Nomeus gronovii) - Reef Fish
Silver Bream (Rhabdosargus sarba) - Reef Fish
Lesser valley coral (Platygyra lamellina) - Hard Corals
Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
Star Blaasop (Arothron stellatus) - Reef Fish
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Feathered Cone (Conus pennaceus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs

Recommended Packing List for MARJAN

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