What to do in Bahrain? Grab Some Flippers

What’s under Bahrain may be more interesting than what’s on the surface. No, we are not talking oil … we’re talking treasure. Dive Bahrain, the world’s largest underwater theme park spanning an area of 25 acres, complete with a sunken Boeing 747, is now open to diving enthusiasts and wannabes.

The site sits in close proximity to Bahrain International Airport and includes an eerie attraction that is the 230-foot-long decommissioned Boeing 747 splayed on the ocean floor as its centerpiece. It remains the largest aircraft ever to be intentionally submerged. The world-class project was developed in close cooperation between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE).

Dive Bahrain  allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy an unusual diving experience within a large area. In addition to the Boeing 747, the newly opened underwater theme park 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 will be fabricated and submerged to provide a safe haven for coral reef growth and to ensure a sustainable habitat for marine life.

The eco-friendly park also provides researchers a rich source of information on marine ecologies, and will enhance environmental awareness on the importance of preserving marine life.

The theme park forms part of the Kingdom’s strategy of boosting tourism and further promoting this vital sector by making greater use of natural assets. The park 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 centers have conducted intermittent inspections of the aircraft to ensure the park’s safety to both professional and leisure divers.

The eco-friendly project hopes to boost Bahrain ‘s profile as a player in the field of eco-tourism and marine wildlife preservation by incorporating international environmental standards.