Category: Travel Tips

Are you done exploring everything above ground? How about underwater? The world of the marine is as exquisite or even more elaborate than the one we live in, making it mystical and mesmerizing at the same time. And let me tell you, not everyone gets a chance to take a glimpse at this world and marvel at its beauty. So, if you ever get a chance to go scuba diving, I say you grab it with both hands! This holiday season, why not shake things up a little bit by taking a plunge into the deep blue waters of the UAE? Paradise For The Fans Of Underwater Not everyone can go to the moon or Mars, but we can explore underwater! Similar experiences in space and underwater. We don’t know much about these regions, and the prospect of diving deep into the water gives us shivers. The UAE has diverse water bodies of different forms and sizes. Natural and man-made ones have varied terrains and people. Thus, UAE seas are diverse and interesting, allowing divers several options. Let me clarify: you don’t need to be an expert swimmer or diver to enjoy scuba diving in Dubai. It provides several scuba diving opportunities, from artificial reefs to deep sea. Both novice and experienced scuba divers may find something here. For all these reasons and more, the UAE is a top destination for adventurous and significant underwater experiences. Why Is Scuba Diving So Fun? The past few decades, especially the past three years, have seen an increase in people flocking towards scuba diving experience. Why do you think that is? I think maybe it is due to the pandemic and how we were all asked to stay put in our homes. It gave some of us an opportunity to rediscover the best part of nature, which includes underwater wonders as well. Anyhow, people are very much interested in scuba diving right now, and winter is the best time to give it a try in the UAE. Apart from these reasons, we know how great water is. It has a sort of meditative and calming property that people tend to appreciate in current times. Also, like I said, if you want to experience something as close to weightlessness as possible, scuba diving can give you that. It is also an extremely educational one as you get to take a closer look at the marine ecosystem and learn how they function. It helps us appreciate this underwater world, which is often hidden from us. Above all that, the mere act of swimming in the depths of the water is an exhilarating experience in itself. Top 10 Locations in the UAE For Scuba Diving Scuba diving is a one-of-a-kind experience that not everyone gets to enjoy. So, if you happen to be in the UAE and are looking for the top locations to go scuba diving, this list can be of great help:   1. The Lost City of Atlantis As the name suggests, this super-cool place is nothing but a recreation of Atlantis, the city that is said to be submerged in water. This exotic diver’s paradise is in The Palm, which makes it one of the closest places to go scuba diving if you are ever in Dubai. The artificial structures are awe-spiring, which can be an educational session for people as well.   2. Underwater Caves of Musandam I know this is in Oman, which is technically not in the UAE, but it is pretty close. What makes it famous is that it is easy to access. There are so many exotic underwater caves present here, with pretty clear water and tons of marine life to observe. In other words, there are a lot of exciting things one can do here while scuba diving.   3. Coral Gardens in Fujairah Does clear waters and a rich marine ecosystem sound like something you would be interested in? The Coral Gardens, located in Fujairah, can be an excellent scuba diving spot for you. It is located on the east coast of the UAE and is an especially favorite spot for divers because of how clear the water here is.   4. The Artificial Reef in Dubai We have all seen movies where cities are taken over by oceans and how exotic they look underwater. This is something the Artificial Reef in Dubai has tried to replicate. They have intentionally submerged structures and sunken ships to give the air of a submerged cityscape, making it adventurous for scuba divers.   5. Shark Island in Abu Dhabi Don’t get alarmed, but there are sharks on this island. But it is more of a shark sanctuary where you are sure to encounter various species of sharks in their natural habitats. It is completely safe, though, because the instructors will be by your side at all times. If you are more of a daring soul, I suggest you try out this place.   6. Martini Rock in Dubai The Martini Rock is super-famous for its nutrient-rich waters, thanks to its rich marine life and biodiversity. Like most waters in the UAE, this one is also quite clear, making it easier for you to observe the underwater world. There are colorful coral gardens underwater here, which makes for excellent exploration sites.   7. Inchcape 1 in Fujairah Cargo ships that were unfortunate enough to sink have been converted into artificial coral reefs in Inchcape 1, located in Fujairah. Scuba divers can observe the ship wreck and see how it has been slowly converted into something beautiful by the marine life there. It’s really something.   8. The Khor Fakkan Wrecks Just like Inchcape in Fujairah, the Khor Fakkan Wrecks, as the name suggests, is made up of shipwrecks that have beautifully transformed themselves into artificial reefs. It is an excellent place for both novice and expert scuba divers. It is wonderful to see how something that was part of a wreckage has been converted into something as beautiful

Who doesn’t love dolphins? I know I do. They are such fun and docile mammals who remind us of all things fun and wonderful. Have you ever wanted to meet them up close?  Well, Atlantis Aquaventure has just opened the doors for you to meet them if you are up for it! If there is one thing that kids and adults like the same, it’s waterpark and dolphins. Find the mix of both of them in Atlantis and make it your holiday destination! Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark What do you think about making this vacation completely water-based? It is quite a novel idea, isn’t it? If you are on board, then let me introduce you to the best location for this: Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark in Dubai. As it is the biggest waterpark in the world, Atlantis Aquaventure has over 150 water rides in it! I mean, you would definitely need a whole week of stay in this wonderland of a place to get to every ride. And not only that, but the waterpark has one of the most impressive aquariums in the world, known as The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and it has a whopping 65000 marine animals in it! It is nothing less than grand. The best part about spending time here is that both adults and kids can enjoy the place equally. I haven’t spoken about the star of the show yet, which is the dolphins! In the Atlas Village, you get a closer look at the very friendly Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins and spend time with them. Cool, right? Meeting The Resident Dolphins The best part about visiting the Atlantis AquaVenture Waterpark is not just the rides or the aquarium but getting to actually meet the wonderful dolphins. In a time when people are growing less and less sympathetic to the marine life around them, the Atlas Village shines as a beam of hope. Here, you not only get to see the dolphins in action but also interact with them, and the mammal experts will help you learn more about the dolphins’ lifestyle and other details. If you ask me, I would say it is an excellent opportunity to appreciate nature and build a connection with it through dolphins. It can also be an extremely efficient educational session for kids as well. We can understand how our actions affect marine life and how we can make life a tad bit easier for them, if possible. Apart from the activities you get to do with the dolphins (which we will get to in a bit), you can also opt for a behind-the-scenes tour where the marine experts of the waterpark tell you how they care for the dolphins and enrich their lives. It also gives you a chance to take a closer look at how the food is prepared for the mammals, how they are trained, and how their routine checkup gets done. I guarantee you, it is going to be super fun! Top 5 Dolphin Activities in Atlantis Aquaventure Now that you have a general idea of what to expect let us get into the specifics. Before you buy the tickets, take a look at the activities you will be able to do with the dolphins at Atlantis Aquaventure:   1. Dolphin Swim Are you a confident swimmer above the age of 8? Then Dolphin Swim is something you have to try out. It gives you a chance to observe the behavior of dolphins underwater as you swim along with them. It is also an opportunity to go snorkeling in the deep end of the Dolphin Bay lagoon. The clear blue water and the instructor make it absolutely safe to swim to your heart’s content.   2. Dolphin Encounter Now, do not get disheartened if you do not know how to swim. There are other fun activities you can do with the dolphins, like literally encountering them. Anyone above the age of 2 can take part in a dolphin encounter because the water is only waist-high. The marine mammal specialists will be with you, explaining the interesting facts about dolphins.   3. Dolphin Kayaking Have you been planning to go kayaking this vacation? You can tick that item off your bucket list as you visit Atlantis because you not only get a chance to kayak but are accompanied by the dolphins as well!  There are options to go kayaking alone or as a couple, and the location is none other than the Dolphin Bay lagoon.   4. Dolphin Meet and Greet If you are not a fan of getting into the water, then this meet-and-greet option would be perfect for you. It is a completely dry experience where you sit at the shore, and the dolphins will be brought to you by the marine experts. This way, you get to learn more about the dolphins, their anatomy, and so on, without having to actually get into the water.   5. Dolphin Paddle If you are a good swimmer and are over the age of 12, I highly recommend you try out the paddling experience that Atlantis offers. You get on a paddleboard and paddle in the Dolphin Bay lagoon with the dolphins as they accompany you during the paddling process. It is quite fun, actually, if you can balance yourself in a paddleboard.   6. Dolphin Sunrise Now this is something open for in-house guests alone, as Dolphin Sunrise, as the name suggests, needs you to be present at Atlantis during the early morning. In this activity, you are ushered to the Dolphin Bay early in the morning, where you get a chance to see the dolphins going about their morning routine in style. It is indeed an excellent opportunity to observe nature so up close and appreciate its beauty. So, if you get a chance to see the dolphin sunrise, do not miss it. Perks That Come Along With Dolphins We are not done yet! If you think that’s all you get with a ticket, you are gravely