Diving Equipment Guide for UAE Waters
What diving gear to use in the UAE — from wetsuits suited to the warm Gulf waters to BCD choices for Fujairah's varied dive sites.
Diving Equipment for UAE Waters
The UAE's East Coast offers warm, clear water. Equipment choices here differ from cold-water diving — you need less thermal protection but should consider the intense UV, boat-based diving, and the occasional strong current.
Wetsuits
Temperature Guide
| Month | Water Temp | Wetsuit | |---|---|---| | Jun–Sep | 28–32°C | Swimwear / 1–2mm shorty | | Oct–Nov | 26–28°C | 2–3mm shorty or full suit | | Dec–Feb | 22–24°C | 3mm full suit | | Mar–May | 24–27°C | 2–3mm shorty or full suit |
Recommendation: A 3mm full suit handles the entire cooler season (Oct–Apr). In summer, a 2mm shorty or swimwear is sufficient.
BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
Types
Jacket BCD: Most popular for recreational diving. Inflates around the back and sides. Stable on the surface.
Backplate and Wing: Preferred by technical divers. Streamlined underwater, may be less stable on the surface.
Travel BCD: Lighter, packs smaller — useful if flying into the UAE for a diving holiday.
For UAE beginners: A jacket BCD from Scubapro, Cressi, or Mares provides the best balance of comfort and price.
Regulator
A reliable regulator is the most important piece of your kit. Don't buy cheap.
Recommended brands: Apeks, ScubaPro, Mares, Aqualung
For UAE diving: Standard balanced diaphragm or piston regulators work perfectly in warm water (no need for cold-water rated regs).
Annual servicing: Have your reg serviced annually. Many dive shops in Fujairah offer servicing.
Mask, Fins, and Snorkel
Mask: Try before you buy — the fit is critical. Low-volume masks are easier to clear.
Fins: Open-heel fins with booties offer more power. Full-foot fins are lighter for travelling.
Snorkel: A dry-top snorkel prevents water entry and is useful between dives.
Dive Computer
A dive computer is now considered essential rather than optional. It tracks your depth, bottom time, ascent rate, and no-decompression limits.
Entry-level: Suunto Zoop, Cressi Leonardo (under AED 1,000) Mid-range: Suunto D5, Garmin Descent Mk2i (AED 1,500–3,000) Advanced: Shearwater Teric, Suunto DX (AED 3,000+)
Where to Buy in the UAE
- Divers Down (Fujairah) — full range, competitive prices, servicing
- Blue Ocean Scuba (Dubai) — well-stocked, online and in-store
- X-Scuba (Abu Dhabi) — Abu Dhabi's best dive shop
- Amazon.ae — for international brands at competitive prices