Inchcape 2

Inchcape 2 is the deeper and more challenging sibling of the popular Inchcape 1 dive site, located in the waters off Fujairah on the UAE's East Coast. Reserved for advanced divers, this site delivers bigger marine life encounters and more dramatic underwater terrain for those ready to push beyond the shallows of the Gulf of Oman. The site consists of a substantial reef structure featuring rocky pinnacles, walls, and deep overhangs that create a complex three-dimensional underwater landscape. The deeper portions of the reef are draped in colorful soft corals, gorgonian fans, and dense colonies of cup corals that thrive in the reduced light at depth. The dramatic topography creates natural amphitheaters and channels where currents concentrate nutrients and attract marine life. Inchcape 2 is known for its encounters with pelagic species. Schools of barracuda, trevally, and queenfish are frequently seen hunting along the reef edges, while eagle rays and the occasional manta ray glide through the blue water beyond the reef structure. Reef sharks, including blacktip and whitetip species, are regular visitors, and the site has a well-earned reputation as one of the best places in the UAE to observe sharks in their natural habitat. The reef itself hosts large groupers, Napoleon wrasse, and dense schools of snapper that create impressive biomass concentrations. The advanced rating is warranted due to the combination of depth, current, and exposure. Divers should be comfortable managing their air consumption at depth and navigating in current that can be moderate to strong depending on tidal conditions. Good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing the delicate coral growth while maneuvering through the more intricate sections of the reef. Visibility at Inchcape 2 can be exceptional, reaching 15 to 20 meters on the best days, though it can also drop significantly during plankton blooms. The optimal season is from November through March when cooler waters bring improved clarity and increased activity from larger marine species. For experienced divers seeking the best that UAE waters have to offer, Inchcape 2 represents the pinnacle of East Coast diving - a site where the depth, the current, and the marine life all combine to create genuinely thrilling underwater experiences.