Underwater dive ‘theme park’ opens in Bahrain

Dive Bahrain, the world's largest underwater ‘theme park’ spanning an area of 100,000 metres², complete with a sunken Boeing 747, is now open to diving enthusiasts.

Developed in close cooperation between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Kingdom’s Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), Dive Bahrain aims to provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a unique diving experience within a large area.

The site, in close proximity to Bahrain International Airport, has a 70 metre-long decommissioned Boeing 747 as its centerpiece, the largest aircraft ever to be intentionally submerged.

In addition to the 747, the newly opened underwater attraction features a replica of a traditional Bahraini pearl merchant's house - which is being overseen by Diyar Al Muharraq - artificial coral reefs and other sculptures that have been fabricated and submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and to ensure a sustainable habitat for marine life.

The park also aims to provide researchers a rich source of information on marine ecologies, and will enhance environmental awareness on the importance of preserving marine life.

The attraction forms part of the BTEA's strategy of boosting tourism and further promoting this vital sector by making greater use of the Kingdom's natural assets and is expected to attract global recognition and become an international tourist attraction, given its size and location as well as the unique experience it will offer to both tourists and diving enthusiasts.

Since its successful submersion, professional divers from registered dive centres have conducted intermittent inspections of the aircraft to ensure the park's safety to both professional and leisure divers.

A spokesperson for Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed Bin Rashid Al Zayani, advised “the eco-friendly project will see Bahrain emerge as a key player in the field of eco-tourism and marine wildlife preservation by incorporating international environmental standards.”

For more information go to www.divebahrain.com

Image shows a diver in the sunken Boeing 747. Courtesy of Dive Bahrain.