Reef Explorers
ENFR
Menu
DestinationsDive sitesWhen to goMarine lifeLearn to diveArticles
World mapHidden gemsLevel upDiving glossaryPractical guidesFind my dive trip

Bahrain

5 documented dive sites, 2 of them for Open Water divers. Known for stingrays and nudibranchs.

Best months
Dec–Apr
Water
18–34 °C
Levels
Open Water, Advanced, Experienced
Nearest airport
BAH

When to go

Pick a month: the diving season, from published sources, and the typical weather.

Pick a month

  • Best
  • Good
  • Possible
  • Closed
  • Not documented yet

Bahrain in November

Good season
Sea
26 °C
at the surface
Air
28 °C
22 °C at night
Rain
< 10 mm
average for the year
Wind
15 km/h
on average

Exposure suit: 2 mm shorty or 1 mm full suit · if you feel the cold: 3 mm full suit. How we choose

Typical weather, not a forecast: averages for 2021–2025 (air, rain, wind) and 2023–2025 (sea), data from Open-Meteo (ERA5 / Copernicus, Météo-France). Covers an area of roughly 10 to 25 km around the destination.

Compare with another destination

Diving is possible year-round; best Dec–Apr, when visibility is generally best (Divernet). A travel blog gives Oct–May as best, while the offshore Abu Thlama reef is better visited May–November because the boat cannot handle rough water.

Source: divernet.com

Dive sites in Bahrain

From the easiest to the most demanding. Levels with a dashed outline are estimates we are still verifying.

Open Water friendly

usual dive down to 18 m2 sites

For Advanced divers

usual dive down to 30 m2 sites

For experienced divers

usual dive down to 40 m1 site

Marine life

When the big encounters happen, month by month.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Whale sharksSource: divernet.com
  • Peak season
  • Seen

Whale sharks: Mar–Apr

Also reported here, season not documented yet:

  • Stingrays
  • Nudibranchs
  • Clownfish
  • Anemones
  • Dolphins
  • Turtles
  • Guitarfish
  • Tuna
  • Barracuda
  • Trevally
  • Sea snakes

Where is Bahrain?

View on OpenStreetMapLocation: Manama (Wikipedia)Map: Natural Earth
Nearest airport
BAH

Bahrain: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to dive Bahrain?
The best months to dive Bahrain are Dec–Apr. Diving is possible year-round; best Dec–Apr, when visibility is generally best (Divernet). A travel blog gives Oct–May as best, while the offshore Abu Thlama reef is better visited May–November because the boat cannot handle rough water.
Is Bahrain good for beginner divers?
Yes, partly: 2 of the 5 dive sites we document are suited to Open Water divers, including Fifi Wreck and Hayr Shtayyah oyster bed (Shetaya). The others need more experience or a higher certification.
What is the water temperature in Bahrain?
The water is usually between 18 °C and 34 °C over the year.
What marine life can you see in Bahrain?
Divers regularly see stingrays, nudibranchs, clownfish and anemones.
How do you dive Bahrain?
The nearest airport is BAH.

About this page

Seasons and marine life come from the sources below. Site levels and depths marked as estimated come from our original catalogue and are being checked one by one. Conditions change: always confirm with a local dive centre.

All destinations

Your next dive is somewhere out there.

Find my next dive trip
Photo: Sarah Lee on Unsplash
Photo credits