Y’all know me – I rarely shy away from new experiences. BUT when it comes to animals… I usually pass. So when my cousin Hassan suggested we go scuba-diving, I almost choked on my coffee. Me? Surrounded by fish in the open sea? Not exactly my idea of fun.

Yet, somehow, there I was the next morning, up at 6am, heading to Fujairah. The drive was as chaotic and fun as ever, blasting old-school RnB with Hassan keeping the energy sky-high. I’d never even heard much about Fujairah before this trip. It’s the UAE’s youngest emirate, separated from its neighbours by the towering Hajar Mountains. And fun fact—it’s actually the best spot in the region for snorkelling and scuba-diving.

• Learning the Basics
• Into the Sea
• Exploring the Shipwreck
• The Reward: Authentic Yemeni Food
• Final Thoughts
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Learning the Basics

Hassan started me off with a half-hour safety lesson and we went through the PADI manual. At this point, I was still questioning my life choices. Fish, guys… I have a phobia of fish.

Once Hassan signed off on my training, we practiced in the pool. I learned the hand signals for “I’m okay” and “Let’s go up,” and got used to breathing underwater without panicking. It’s harder than it sounds—your brain just refuses to believe that water won’t go down your throat if you breathe.

Into the Sea

Equipped with swimsuit and gear (ugh, the least flattering clothing ever), we walked to the boat. The vibe on board was great—other divers were friendly, and Hassan was clearly well-loved by the crew. Finally, it was time. People started falling back into the water, and I followed Hassan… trembling.

We descended to 12 meters, and then it happened: fish. Everywhere. My heart raced, my breaths shortened, and I clutched Hassan’s hand for dear life. I hadn’t mentioned my phobia beforehand—rookie mistake—but he immediately noticed and calmed me down. A hug underwater (yes, really) and kneeling on the seabed slowly brought my breathing back to normal.

After that, I could finally relax. We swam around the seabed, spotting different types of fish, and I started to enjoy the experience. Hassan handled everything perfectly—I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

Exploring the Shipwreck

After an hour, we surfaced for a short break. The boat took us to a new dive site featuring a shipwreck. Swimming around the wreck, watching schools of fish weave through rusting beams, was surreal. Pro tip: go to the loo beforehand. Holding it in while diving is not fun.

The Reward: Authentic Yemeni Food

Hours later, after peeling off my wetsuit and wiping off the saltwater, Hassan treated me to an authentic Yemeni dinner. We sat in traditional cubicles on the floor, the aromas of spices filling the air. Every bite was worth it, and yes—I had definitely earned it after all that underwater chaos.

Final Thoughts

Scuba-diving with Hassan was terrifying, hilarious, and unforgettable. I faced a major fear, laughed more than I expected, and discovered that Fujairah is truly a hidden gem for diving in the UAE. Hassan made the entire experience feel safe and fun—I can’t recommend him enough.

If you’re ever in Dubai or Fujairah and want to try scuba-diving, do it. Especially if you’re like me and think fish are scary—Hassan will guide you through it like a pro. Check out his page here: Fantasy Scuba Diving