VR-BFS - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

The VR-BFS isn't just another chunk of metal on the seabed, it’s a time capsule. We're talking about a genuine Augusta-Bell 206B helicopter, which ditched out here near Mubarraz Island back in '76. It’s sitting upright, mostly intact, at a comfortable 20 metres. Dropping down, the first thing that hits you is the sheer oddity of it. A helicopter, underwater. The rotor blades are gone, but the main body, the tail boom, even some of the cockpit structure, are all still there. It’s compact, maybe 12 metres long, so you can circle it several times in one dive and really get a feel for the whole thing. Our favourite view is from the stern, looking forward, with the silhouette against the blue. It’s been down there long enough for marine life to move in properly. Expect a good showing of yellowtail snappers schooling around the fuselage, and we've often seen barracuda hanging out in the slight current. Look closer and you’ll spot nudibranchs clinging to the metal, and the occasional moray eel peeking from a crevice. It’s not a deep dive, making it perfect for a long bottom time, really soaking in the history. It suits anyone with an Advanced Open Water certification looking for something a bit different from your usual purpose-sunk wrecks. Go early to beat any boat traffic, and you’ll have it mostly to yourselves.

Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates: 25.168333, 54.250830
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 20m

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 VR-BFS

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 VR-BFS

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