From Dubai: 2 Dives for Certified Divers with BBQ & Transfer

Fujairah gives you a very different side of the UAE: below the surface, coral reefs, wrecks, turtles, rays, and tiny nudibranchs replace Dubai’s towers. This full-day outing pairs two guided scuba sessions with a BBQ lunch and a few East Coast sights, making it a useful choice if you want more than a quick dip from shore.

I like the small group limit of 10, since that gives the instructor a fair chance to watch your skills and help you spot marine life. I also like the practical package: hotel transport, equipment, two sites, lunch, changing rooms, and a boat with a toilet and freshwater shower are all covered.

The main caution is that the boat facilities may not always match your expectations. One recent booking reported that the promised salon, sunbed, and toilet were not available, so confirm the boat setup before paying if those comforts matter to you.

Key points at a glance

• Two different Fujairah sites: You get two separate one-hour underwater sessions rather than repeating the same location.
• Turtles and large schools: Green turtles, puffers, clownfish, parrotfish, rays, and large groups of fish have been spotted.
• Macro life for patient eyes: Shrimps and nudibranchs can be found around coral and artificial reef habitats.
• Guides who work with mixed ability levels: Sina and Fajad are named instructors who have helped guests with buoyancy, equalizing, and site spotting.
• A full day from Dubai: Early pickup, ocean time, lunch, and Khorfakkan stops add up to about eight hours.
• Good practical inclusions: Equipment, transport, BBQ lunch, lockers, changing rooms, and a small group are included.

Two hours beneath Fujairah’s East Coast

The central appeal is simple: you get two chances to explore Fujairah’s underwater world in one day. Each session lasts about an hour, with a 30-minute break between them. The sites may include coral areas, artificial reefs, wrecks, and rocky formations, depending on conditions and the day’s plan.

The East Coast has a different feel from the open desert and city sights around Dubai. Underwater, you might find healthy soft and hard corals, reef fish sheltering in crevices, and small creatures that are easy to miss unless your guide points them out. Macro life is a key reason to pay attention. A shrimp or nudibranch may be less obvious than a turtle, but finding one can be the most satisfying moment of the day.

The best-known sightings are larger animals. At Snoopy Rock and Sharm Rocks, one recent outing included several green turtles, puffers, clownfish, parrotfish, large schools, and an adult blacktip reef shark. That is wildlife, not a guarantee, so approach the sites with the right mindset. You are visiting a natural environment, not an aquarium with scheduled appearances.

One report also describes a ray and a sea snake-like animal, along with a small sunken boat at about 25 meters. That detail matters for certified participants who want more than shallow reef scenery, but your exact depth and site depend on the guide, weather, visibility, and your certification or experience.

What the guides add underwater

Every session is guided by a certified instructor or divemaster. The stated aim is not just safety. The guide also helps you find the interesting animals and keeps the day moving smoothly for different ability levels.

Sina led one particularly successful pair of sessions at Snoopy Rock and Sharm Rocks. The guidance included clear communication and answers to questions about marine life. Fajad was also singled out for careful instruction, including advice on better equalizing. That is valuable if you have only recently completed your certification or have not been in the water for a while.

You do not need to be an expert to take part, but you do need a current scuba certification and the medical fitness to participate. The service is designed for a range of certified abilities, from a first outing after training to someone with many sessions behind them. Still, be honest about your comfort level. A guide can support you, but cannot replace recent practice or personal readiness.

The small group size helps here. With no more than 10 participants, the instructor can give more attention than on a large boat carrying several dozen people. It also makes it easier to ask for help with equipment, equalizing, buoyancy, or identifying small creatures.

The early start from Dubai

Pickup from Dubai or Fujairah takes place between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. You receive the exact time one day before the outing. For anyone staying in Dubai, this is an early start, but it is necessary for a full day on the coast and two sessions in the water.

Hotel pickup and return transport remove the need to arrange a rental car or work out the route to Fujairah. That convenience is part of the $160 price, especially if you are staying in Dubai and do not want to manage a long morning drive before getting into scuba gear.

Bring your original passport, scuba certification, swimwear, and a towel. Sunblock is also essential, though it is not supplied. Keep your certification and passport easy to reach rather than packed deep inside your luggage. You will also want a dry change of clothes for the ride back.

The experience lasts about eight hours, but the day can feel longer if you are tired after two underwater sessions. If you are sensitive to early mornings, plan a quiet evening before the outing. This is an active day, not a lazy beach transfer.

The boat, equipment, and comfort level

A 42-foot cruising boat is listed for the ocean portion. The stated facilities include a sunbed, indoor seating, sound system, toilet, and freshwater shower. The boat is meant to provide a more comfortable base between sites, especially when you want to sit out of the sun or rinse off salt water.

There is an important qualification here. At least one recent booking reported that the large-boat features, including the indoor salon, sunbed, and toilet, were not available on that particular outing. I would contact Reef Oasis Diving Center before departure and ask which boat is scheduled and which facilities will actually be operating.

The shore facilities are more dependable on paper. Reef Oasis provides men’s and women’s lockers and changing rooms, plus showers. That makes the return to dry clothes and lunch easier, particularly if you are heading back to Dubai afterward.

Scuba equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own full kit to take part. You do need your certification and personal swimwear. Since towels and sunblock are not included, pack both. The simple rule is to bring the same practical kit you would take to a beach day, plus your certification and passport.

The break between sessions

After the first one-hour session, you get about 30 minutes to rest before the second site. This is short but useful. You can drink water, adjust equipment, talk through the first site with the guide, and prepare for different conditions.

The second location is not simply a repeat performance. The promise of two different sites is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Coral, artificial reef structures, rocky formations, and wrecks create different places for fish to shelter. A guide who knows the local sites can also help you change your search pattern, looking for large animals in one area and macro life in another.

Use the break sensibly. Eat or drink enough to keep your energy steady, but do not overdo it before getting back into the water. You will also have time to ask about anything you missed during the first session. If you are hoping to find nudibranchs or shrimps, tell your guide. Small creatures are much easier to locate when the guide knows what interests you.

BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis

Once you return to land, a BBQ lunch is served at the Reef Oasis center. The meal takes about 40 minutes, giving you a proper chance to dry off, change, and eat before the sightseeing stops.

The lunch has received strong praise for being plentiful and well prepared. That is useful after two hours of physical activity in the water, when a small snack would not be enough. It also keeps the day simple, since you do not need to search for a restaurant between the ocean and the drive back to Dubai.

Expect the lunch to function as a practical meal rather than a long dining experience. The main value is timing: food is ready at the place where you are already changing and storing your belongings.

Al Bidya Mosque and the East Coast drive

After lunch, the return route includes a brief stop at Al Bidya Mosque, scheduled for about 10 minutes. This is a quick sightseeing pause, not a full visit with extended time for exploration.

The stop breaks up the drive and adds a cultural note to a day focused mostly on the sea. Ten minutes is enough for a look and a few photographs, but not enough for a leisurely visit. Dress respectfully and follow any instructions given at the site.

The short visit also shows how this outing is structured. The ocean time is the priority, while the land stops are compact additions on the way home. If you want a long mosque visit or a full historical tour, you should plan that separately.

Khorfakkan’s amphitheatre and waterfall

The return journey includes two scenic stops near Khorfakkan. The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is scheduled for about 15 minutes, giving you time to take in the architecture and coastal views.

The Khorfakkan Waterfall is another 15-minute stop. It is a quick chance to stretch your legs, take photographs, and see one of the area’s recognizable attractions. Neither stop should be treated as a major standalone excursion. They work best as pleasant additions after the main activity.

These pauses are especially welcome after a morning in wetsuits and on a boat. They also give non-diving companions something to enjoy if they are interested in the coastal scenery, though the booking is built around certified scuba participants.

What $160 gets you

At $160 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the full package. You are paying for hotel pickup and return, two guided sessions, equipment, boat transport, a certified professional, lunch, changing facilities, and several short sightseeing stops.

The value is strongest for someone based in Dubai. Transport alone saves you from arranging a long round trip to Fujairah, and lunch means there are fewer extra costs during the day. A group of up to 10 also gives you a more personal setup than a large commercial boat.

The price is less compelling if you already have your own transport, equipment, and a preferred local guide. In that case, compare the cost with a basic two-session package directly from a Fujairah center. Also confirm the boat facilities before booking, since the listed comforts are part of what makes the price feel worthwhile.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your Dubai plans may change, but you should still check the final booking conditions when you reserve.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this for a certified participant who wants a straightforward full-day package rather than a self-organized trip. It suits you particularly well if you are staying in Dubai, need equipment, appreciate hotel transport, and want a guide to help locate marine life.

It is also a good fit if you have only recently qualified. Fajad’s reported equalizing advice and Sina’s patient communication show the sort of support a newer certified participant may value. Tell the team about your experience level in advance so the staff can plan appropriately.

Confident and experienced participants should enjoy the variety of two sites, the chance of larger wildlife, and the search for macro species. Just keep expectations realistic. The presence of turtles, rays, sharks, wrecks, or nudibranchs depends on nature and conditions.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed late morning, a long sightseeing program, or guaranteed luxury boat facilities. I would also think twice if you have no certification, are not medically fit, or do not have your original passport and certification with you.

Final call: book it or skip it?

Book this Fujairah outing if you want two guided underwater sessions, useful transport from Dubai, a solid lunch, and a small group with experienced staff. The combination of turtles, reef fish, artificial habitats, wreck possibilities, and macro life gives the day more variety than a single coastal session.

Before booking, ask Reef Oasis to confirm the exact boat and its working facilities. Bring a towel, sunblock, swimwear, passport, and certification. If you are comfortable with the early start and understand that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, the $160 package offers a practical way to see Fujairah above and below the water.

FAQ

Is this experience suitable for beginners?

It is suitable for beginners who have completed their scuba certification. You must be medically fit and carry your scuba license. The sessions are guided by a certified instructor or divemaster.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions at different Fujairah sites are included. Each session lasts about one hour, with a 30-minute break between them.

Is hotel transport included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Dubai or Fujairah. Pickup takes place between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, and the exact time is provided one day before.

What should I bring?

Bring your original passport, scuba certification, swimwear, towel, and sunblock. Towels, sunblock, and swimwear are not supplied.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis Diving Center is included after the two underwater sessions.

How large is the group?

The experience is limited to 10 participants, making it a small-group outing.

Which languages can the instructors speak?

The available languages are Arabic, English, Hebrew, Italian, and Russian.