Cockle Shell Bay

Drift dive in Oman with coral, eels, and whale sharks

Boat Access
10m Avg Depth
20m Max Depth

About this dive site

This dive site, Cockle Shell Bay in Oman, is typically dived as a drift dive, following the left shoulder of the bay. The dive begins within the bay itself, characterized by small rocky boulders, before transitioning to an outer wall richly covered in vibrant corals. The deeper sections offer stunning sights, particularly the Green gorgonia forest situated between 22 and 24 meters. Navigation is relatively straightforward following the drift, but divers should maintain awareness of the current.

The marine life at Cockle Shell Bay is diverse and abundant. Honeycomb moray eels are commonly encountered, often residing within the rocky crevices. Depending on visibility, rays and even whale sharks might be spotted, particularly during the summer months. The coral wall is home to a myriad of smaller fish species and invertebrates, offering excellent opportunities for macro photography.

The best time to visit Cockle Shell Bay is during the summer months for the chance of encountering whale sharks. Good visibility is generally better during this period. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving and have adequate experience managing moderate currents. Due to the depth and current, freediving is not recommended at this site; it's primarily suitable for scuba diving.

Diving

Site Ratings

Big Marine Life Good
Macro Marine Life Very Good
Landscape Quality Very Good
Water Visibility Very Good Viz
Famousness Well Known

Plan Your Visit

drift divecoral reefwall divesharkraywhale sharkhoneycomb moray eelgorgonianoman

Marine Life

honeycomb moray eelvarious ray speciesvarious reef fishgreen gorgonian

Things to Note

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Moderate currents and depth require some experience.

Hazards:
currentsdepth
Current Strength:

Moderate

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