Pearl Diving In Bahrain: Best Destinations Revealed

Bahrain has been recognised as the world's pearl capital and is one of the few places where visitors can dive for precious pearls. Pearl diving in Bahrain has been closed to tourists for 80 years but has recently been submitted as part of a major drive to bring tourists to the Arabian Gulf.

Pearl diving excursions, snorkelling for oysters and fishing activities are organised by fully equipped enterprises that specialise in diving, covering the main areas of the sea, while giving their customers one of the best experiences of their lives.

There are a few companies that offer pearl diving experiences in Bahrain, including Experience Bahrain and Scuba Life. The price starts from $125.00 and the experience lasts between 2 and 5 hours.

Pearl diving sites in Bahrain

Pearl diving in Bahrain has been closed to tourists for 80 years, but it has recently been reinstated as part of a drive to attract tourists to the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain has been recognised as the world's pearl capital and is one of the few places where visitors can dive for precious pearls.

The Bahrain Pearling Track, which includes three local oysters and more than ten locations on the ground in Muharraq, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012.

Ras Rayyah, the northern tip of Muharraq, is the starting point for all diving activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. From there, visitors with a licensed permit can dive for two hours and collect up to 60 oysters in one session.

The pass allows access to diving sites such as Sayah, Amamah, Shataya, and Balata, located off the coast of Muharraq, north of Bahrain Island.

Sayah, the site closest to the beach, is the most convenient for beginners, and visitors who do not have a full PADI license are welcome to dive into the shallow water.

Bu Amama, Shtayaah, and Bulthama are deep-water sites located about 35 miles from the coast of Muharraq Island. Here, visitors must obtain a full PADI license and be fully equipped with scuba diving equipment.

Pearl Diving Tour Operators in Bahrain

There are several official diving companies in Bahrain that offer pearl diving excursions, including Delma Marine and Scuba Life. Scuba Life Bahrain also runs separate PADI courses for those looking to obtain a qualification.

Experience Bahrain is another tour operator that offers pearl diving experiences. Their trips depart from Amwaj Marina or Bahrain Yacht Club in Sitra, depending on the weather and dive site.

Pearl Diving Museum in Bahrain

In addition to pearl diving excursions, visitors can also learn about the history of pearl diving in Bahrain by visiting the Bahrain Pearl Diving Museum. The museum is located in the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs, which is an important historical building in itself.

Essential equipment for pearl diving

Pearl diving in Bahrain is an exciting activity that offers adventurers a chance to search for precious pearls underwater. Whether you choose to snorkel or scuba dive, here is a list of essential equipment you will need for a safe and enjoyable experience:

Protective Clothing

Before taking the plunge, it is crucial to ensure you have the right clothing to protect you from the elements and any potential hazards underwater. This includes a diving suit, gloves, and a nose clip to keep water from entering your nose during the dive.

Weights

Stone or iron weights are essential to help you descend to the depths where oysters can be found. Typically, a mass of stones or bullets is tied to one of the diver's legs to facilitate this descent.

Oyster Knives

Once you've collected oysters, you'll need a sturdy knife to pry them open and search for pearls. Oyster knives are specifically designed for this purpose and are a crucial tool for any pearl diver.

Oyster Baskets

You'll need a way to collect and store the oysters you gather during your dive. Oyster baskets provide a convenient and secure way to do this, allowing you to focus on your search.

Rope

A rope is used for two purposes. Firstly, it is tied to the diver to ensure they can be pulled back up to the boat safely. Secondly, it is used to attach the oyster basket to the diver, so they can collect oysters without having to surface after each one.

Diving Suit

When choosing a diving suit, opt for a dry suit that provides maximum protection. Look for suits with cordura protections over the shoulders, arms, zipper, knees, crotch, and seat. These reinforced areas will protect you from scratches or tears while navigating through oyster beds.

Snorkelling or Scuba Gear

Depending on your preference and skill level, you may choose to snorkel or scuba dive. Ensure you have the appropriate gear, including snorkels, flippers, and/or scuba equipment, which is typically provided by the tour operators.

Pearl diving in Bahrain offers a unique opportunity to explore the country's heritage and return with a valuable treasure. By equipping yourself with the right gear, you can ensure a safe and memorable experience.

How to become a modern pearl diver

Pearl diving in Bahrain has been closed to tourists for 80 years, but it has recently been reinstated as part of a drive to attract more tourists to the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain has been recognised as the world's pearl capital and is one of the few places where visitors can dive for precious pearls.

Purchase Your Ticket Online

You can buy your ticket for pearl diving online at portal.btea.bh.

Attend a Briefing Workshop

Before you embark on your pearl diving adventure, you will need to attend a briefing workshop. Here, you will learn about the history and techniques of pearl diving, as well as safety precautions.

Depart from Ras Rayyah with a Licensed Diving Company

Pearl diving in Bahrain is strictly controlled by the government to ensure the sustainability of the industry. You will need to depart from Ras Rayyah, the northern tip of Muharraq, with a licensed diving company.

Collect Oysters

You will be given snorkelling or scuba diving equipment, depending on your preference and certification. You can then enter the water and collect oysters from the seafloor. Beginners can collect oysters from shallow waters, while certified divers can explore deeper sites.

Open Your Collected Oysters

Once you have collected your oysters, you will return to the boat. Here, you will be given an oyster-opening knife and instructions on how to open them safely. You will then open your oysters, searching for the elusive pearl inside.

Have Your Pearls Appraised (If You're Lucky!)

If you are fortunate enough to find a pearl, you can have it appraised for its value and quality.

Additional Tips:

• Pearl diving excursions typically last between 2 and 5 hours.
• You will need to obtain a pearl diving license pass from the Bahraini government to participate in pearl diving.
• The pearl diving season in Bahrain traditionally lasted from June to September.
• Pearl diving is a physically demanding activity and may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions. Always follow the guidance of the dive instructors.
• The equipment you will need includes stone and iron weights, nose clips, oyster knives, leather finger protectors, oyster baskets, and a cotton diving suit.
• The value of a wild pearl can range from $300 to $1500, depending on various factors such as type, size, colour, and surface quality.

So, if you're seeking an adventure and a chance to dive for treasures, follow these steps to become a modern pearl diver in Bahrain!

The history of pearl diving in Bahrain

Pearl diving in Bahrain has a long and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. Here is a brief overview of the evolution of this traditional activity in the Kingdom.

Ancient Origins

The Golden Age of Pearling

The golden age of pearling in Bahrain is considered to be from the 1850s to 1930. During this period, pearls were more precious than diamonds, attracting renowned jewellers like Jacques Cartier to the country. The pearling industry was the principal industry in Bahrain, with around 30,000 pearl divers by the end of 1930. The city of Muharraq, the capital of Bahrain from 1810 to 1923, was the centre of this thriving pearling economy. It boasted the largest fleet of pearling vessels and was home to the largest number of pearl divers.

Social and Cultural Significance

Pearl diving had a significant impact on the social and cultural life in Bahrain. With most men leaving the island each diving season, the women of Muharraq played an essential role in maintaining the society and economy. They took on various occupations, such as bread baking and fishing, to support their families. The pearling season also gave rise to unique social gathering places, such as coffee houses, assemblies for men (majlis) and women (magid), and music houses (dur). These spaces were integral to fostering community bonds and preserving oral traditions.

Decline and Revival

The pearling industry in Bahrain faced a decline in the 1930s due to a combination of factors, including the arrival of cheap cultivated pearls, economic crashes and riots by divers. The discovery of oil in 1932 further contributed to the collapse of the industry, as many divers transitioned to the oil sector. Today, pearl diving in Bahrain is experiencing a revival, with tourists now able to participate in diving missions to search for precious pearls. The Bahrain Pearling Trail, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, serves as a testament to the rich history and cultural significance of pearling in the Kingdom.

The process of pearl formation

Pearl diving in Bahrain has been closed to tourists for 80 years, but it has recently been reopened as part of a drive to attract tourists to the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain has been recognised as the world's pearl capital, and it is one of the few places where visitors can dive for precious pearls.

Pearls are formed in the bodies or mantle tissue of certain mollusks, usually around a microscopic irritant, and always without human intervention. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but they can also occur in many other shapes, known as baroque pearls. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for centuries.

Mollusks, such as oysters or mussels, produce pearls as a defence mechanism. When an intruder or parasite enters a mollusk and irritates it, the mollusk forms a pearl sac made of external mantle tissue cells and secretes calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant. This process is repeated many times, resulting in a pearl.

Natural pearls are extremely rare, and many hundreds of mollusks must be gathered and opened to find even one pearl. Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are formed in pearl farms with human intervention and natural processes. To create a cultured pearl, a skilled technician inserts a shell bead and a small piece of mantle tissue into a host mollusk's gonad. The mantle tissue then grows and forms a sac around the bead, secreting nacre inward to eventually form a pearl.

The unique lustre of pearls is due to the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of light from their translucent layers. The thinner and more numerous the layers, the finer the lustre. Additionally, the iridescence displayed by pearls is caused by the overlapping of successive layers, which breaks up light falling on the surface.

Pearls are composed of calcium carbonate, which is why they can be dissolved in vinegar. They come in a wide variety of colours, including white, cream, black, grey, silver, pink, green, purple, and blue. The value of a pearl is determined by its size, shape, colour, quality of surface, orient and lustre. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued.

Frequently asked questions