Instant Reader Report
on Al Boom Diving / [same] in
United Arab Emirates / Khor Fakkan, Gulf of Oman on
2002/07
by
Phil Hamilton , Texas, USA
Report Number 020730075209976

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 [Unspecified] 

Dive Conditions

[Unspecified]  

Hot water - a lot of plankton, etc.  

Overall Rating

Al Boom diving is located at the Sandy Beach Hotel in Khor Fakkan, having
just moved there about 3 weeks ago. 
Soon we were on their boat, heading for nearby Shark Island. 

Shark Island   - 45ft  36 min 

Shark Island is just off the coast from Khor Fakkan. The air temperatures
were in the 120s F, and the water was 
just as warm here as in the Persian Gulf at this time of year. Because of
the location in the Gulf of Oman, open to 
the Arabian Sea, the fish life was much better than the Persian Gulf, 
though.                                                       

I found the Clownfish I have been seeking for so long, and in abundance.
Everywhere I looked were
anemones, each fiercely guarded by its clown. We also found a Moorish
Idol, some Oman Butterflys, a Moon
Wrasse, Orange Dottyback, Bridled Triggerfish, and several Bluetail
Boxfish. In the summer, the hot
water is clouded with bacteria and plankton. I assume much better photo
opportunities exist in cooler months. 

As we circled the small island, we found even more beautiful specimens.
Yellow ear Angelfish, Gardeners
Butterflys, Two Bar Bream, and an exquisite Collare Butterflyfish are
among the many examples that we found
on this dive.

Diving in the UAE is relatively cheap, once you get here. I paid about 200
Dirham in Dubai, and a little less in 
Khor Fakkan, which equates to about $50-55 US, including most of the gear.
I took my regs, computer, mask 
and camera only. These prices may be low season prices, as it is
definitely the low season in July and August. The
temperatures are quite high at this time of year - the busy season is over
the winter as Europeans (primarily from
the UK) come here to escape the miserable northern winters. Over the
winter months, I am told the air temps are
in the low 80s f, and the water is about the same. 

 

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