Visitors to the Island Kingdom of Bahrain are invited into the deep waters of the Gulf to dive for natural pearls, as the history of the pearling industry is finally restored to the present day. Offering a choice of four diving sites, each with an abundance of oysters, divers are able to collect as many as 60 oysters from the Gulf seabed and if lucky enough, are able to keep the island’s most illustrious treasures forever.
Pearl Diving
Ras Rayyah, the northern tip of Muharraq Island is the departure point for all pearl diving activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. At 32 BD per person (£64) visitors with a licensed pass, priced at 5BD (£10), can dive for two hours, collecting as many as 60 oysters in one session. The licensed pass enables visitors’ access to the diving locations Sayah, Bu Amamma, Shtayaah and Bulthama, based off the coast of Muharraq, the northern island of Bahrain. The pass allows governmental control over the ocean, ensuring the diving tours and number of oysters collected are monitored for sustainability.
For beginner divers, Sayah, the site nearest to the shore, is most appropriate, and visitors without a full PADI licence are welcome to snorkel in the shallow waters. Bu Amamma, Shtayaah and Bulthama are the deeper water sites and are located approximately 35 miles off the Coast of Muharraq Island. Here, visitors are required to have a full PADI license and are to be fully equipped with scuba diving gear. Whatever the preference, whether beginner or advanced, there’s a unique experience available for everyone through official diving companies Delma Marine and Scuba Life. Notably, Scuba Life Bahrain runs separate PADI courses for those visitors looking to gain their qualification to the Island Kingdom.
Pearling History
The pearling tradition is an activity deep rooted in Bahrain’s history, and has served as a lucrative asset to the Island Kingdom for the past 4,000 years. In the past, pearl divers would spend months at sea on a traditional Dow boat with only a Bahraini band for source of entertainment. Designated divers were lowered on weighted ropes and remained underwater with nothing but a nose peg to control their breathing. Now, having been launched as an official regulated tourist attraction, Delma Marine and Scuba Life enable tourists to recreate the authentic diving experience for themselves. Each location boasts an abundance of marine life with beautiful corals and tropical fish which inhibit the reef.
Pearling Trail
After a morning dive, visitors can embark on an exclusive journey through the country’s pearl trading history, following in the footsteps of the esteemed jewellery designer Jacques Cartier, who visited Bahrain in the early 20th Century. Bahrain’s pearling history has been beautifully preserved, and visitors are welcomed to explore the UNESCO world heritage Pearling Trail, through the ancient capital of Muhurraq. The trail includes seventeen beautiful, old merchant’s houses, each an opulent example of Arabic architecture connected via a 3.5km visitor’s pathway. To this day there are still traditional Bahraini pearl merchants, including the Mattar family and the Al Mannai family, each striving to maintain the infamous name of Bahrain on top of the pearling industry. The Mattar and Al Mannai families continue its legacy on national and international levels, providing specialist, handcrafted masterpieces that incorporate natural pearls.
Bahraini natural pearls are considered the finest in the world, and incredibly – if you find a pearl whilst diving, it’s yours to keep, an excellent souvenir. Over 400 sq. miles of oyster beds flourish in the warm, shallow waters of the Island Kingdom, and as it remains true to its name, Bahrain welcomes travellers from all over the world to experience a truly unique and memorable activity.
From 13th – 18th January 2018 book a five night stay at Art Rotana from £220 per night. To book your pearl diving license register here for £10: www.pearldiving.bh/. The total price for Pearl Scuba Diving, including the license is 37BD (£74) per person for a two hour session.
For more information on The Kingdom of Bahrain, please visit: www.btea.bh
