Central to life in Bahrain for centuries, pearl diving has to be the quintessential Bahraini experience. The beach resort of Al Dar Island offers regular pearl dives and cruises to Jarada Island where you might find yourself sunbathing on the spit of white sand and bobbing in its clear waters all on your own. In addition to pearls, you can also get the chance to see up to 30 types of coral and more than 200 species of fish. Dolphin watching along the many surrounding coral reefs is another popular past time and they are best spotted at sunrise or sunset.
A day excursion to the pearl reefs is a lot of fun. Take a dhow trip for an even more authentic experience. You can order Arabic food and pearl divers will regale you with their tales of the high-seas.
For the wildlife enthusiast, a 45-minute ferry ride from Al Dur Jetty to Hawar Island is a must. The Hawar Islands are renowned as a wildlife preserve of international significance and offer a pristine beach and a chance to spot dolphins and rare birds thanks to their position in the middle of their migratory path.
