Al Batnah - Fujairah

Al Batnah is a newcomer to Fujairah, only sinking in early 2023, but it’s already becoming one of our favourite shallow dives in the region. This isn’t some ancient wooden hull, it’s a modern cargo vessel, intentionally scuttled and sitting upright at just 10 metres. The ship’s superstructure is surprisingly intact, allowing for some easy swim-throughs into the bridge and accommodation blocks. You can glide over the cargo hold, now a wide-open space where schools of yellowtail barracuda like to cruise. What we love about Batnah is how quickly the marine life has moved in. Already, the railings are fuzzy with new coral growth, and juvenile bannerfish dart in and out of the doorways. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork, and we’ve even seen a resident turtle munching on algae near the stern. The shallow depth means fantastic light penetration, casting eerie shadows through the decks. It’s an ideal spot for newer wreck divers or those looking for a relaxed, long bottom time. We’d suggest going in the morning before any wind picks up, when the visibility tends to be at its best.

Location
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
26.364550, 56.457200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - Al Batnah

Year Sunk
2023
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
storm

The Al Batnah is one of the newest wrecks available to divers in the United Arab Emirates. This landing craft-style barge was transporting a cargo of vehicles when it encountered rough seas and sank off the coast of Fujairah on February 7, 2023. As a very recent wreck, it offers a unique opportunity for divers to witness the very first stages of a vessel's transformation into an artificial reef. Resting in shallow water around 10 meters deep, the Al Batnah is largely intact, allowing divers to explore its structure and perhaps catch a glimpse of its automotive cargo. While marine life is still in the early stages of colonization, this wreck is a blank canvas that will undoubtedly blossom into a bustling hub of aquatic activity in the coming years, making it an exciting site to revisit time and again.

Nearby Dive Sites in Fujairah

Nearest Dive Centres to Al Batnah

Marine Life in Fujairah

Home to 14 recorded species including 4 other, 3 hard corals, 2 sharks & rays, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 starfish, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species