My First Pearl Diving Experience Changed The Way I Look At Life

by Saniya
My First Pearl Diving Experience Changed The Way I Look At Life

There’s something about water, isn’t it? The calm, the tranquil; has always fascinated me and that’s why I love beaches. Living in Bahrain, I can vouch that this is no tourist hotspot, like its gulf brother Dubai. But, there is one thing I love about this country. Bahrain boasts a rich pearling history, and the azure waters make this a great place for pearl diving.

Since the small island is known for its beautiful pearls, the idea of finding pearls underwater and taking my own treasure home always fascinated me. But, wait- it’s easier said than done. Diving is no easy feat, I must admit. I have always found pleasure and comfort in merely watching the tides than dipping my feet, and diving sounded like a mammoth task.

However, I mustered the courage and one weekend, I set out on a pearl diving expedition in Bahrain. Here’s how I battled my fears and enjoyed an experience that is truly one-of-its-kind.

لطالما ارتبط اللؤلؤ بتاريخ مملكة البحرين، و شكّل عاملاً بارزاً في تكوين هويتها الثقافية و إثراء تراثها الحضاري. و الى يومنا هذا لا زالت مملكة البحرين تحتفظ بمكانتها كمركز عالميٍ لأجود أنواع اللؤلؤ الطبيعي.هذه المرة يصطحب الغواص البحريني حسن جناحي صديقه "پول" من إيرلاندا في رحلة غوص تقليدية في اعماق بحار ممكلة البحرين. يذهب "پول" في مغامرة شيّقة على قارب بانوش بصحبة مجموعه من غواصي اللؤلؤ و يتمكن من جمع كمية من المحار. قم بزيارة موقعنا و احجز لرحلة غوص خاصة بك!http://pearldiving.bh/For centuries, Pearl Diving has been a notion in The Kingdom of Bahrain. It has played a grand narrative in shaping The Kingdom’s cultural identity and heritage. To this present day, Bahrain has been able to secure its place as a global hub for lustrous, high-quality, natural pearls.Hassan Janahi is a Bahraini diver, who takes along his Irish friend Paul on a trip to the captivating under waters of The Kingdom.Paul experiences a traditional pearl diving adventure on a Bahraini Dhow, alongside other divers. On their trip, they succeed in catching a number of pearl oysters.Visit our website and book your own pearl diving trip! http://pearldiving.bh/#Bahrain #Tourism #BahrainOursYours #البحرين #سياحة #بلدنا_بلدكم

Posted by Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority on Friday, August 24, 2018

Preparation

On a Saturday morning, we drove down to the diving site at Ras Rayyah. Located 80km from my home, the drive had me tensed, nervous, and excited. Clearing the border can take a while (especially on weekends), so I recommend you keep 45 minutes to an hour for finishing border regulations.

Once we entered the city, we were greeted by the stunning coastline, giving us a glimpse of what was in store for the rest of the day.

I wanted to avoid hassles on the big day and booked tickets in advance through an official government website. Once we reached the site, we attended a briefing workshop on the whole experience. After this, we departed for a surreal underwater adventure.

Who Can Dive?

Anyone can! However, there are criterions to this too. Visitors with a licensed permit can go pearl diving in Bahrain’s blue waters for up to two hours, and are permitted to collect up to 60 beautiful oysters in one session.

This licensed permit lets visitors access diving sites such as Sayah, Shataya, and Balata, located off the coast of Muharraq, north of Bahrain Island.

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

However, the more adventurous (and skilled ones) can try out the pearl diving sites at Bu Amama, Shtayaah, and Bulthama too. These sites are deeper and are located about 35 miles from the coast of Muharraq Island. These sites also give visitors a full PADI license and equip themselves with scuba diving equipment.

So as I told, whatever the preferences and past experiences, whether beginners or advanced, a unique one-of-its-kind experience is available to all. This is through the official diving companies Delma Marine and Scuba Life.

Since I was a newbie who was already nervous about the experience, I tried some shallow water diving at Sayah.

The Pre-Dive Prep

Now it’s one thing to plan or watch the adventure but completely different experience to actually do it. Seeing the joyous onlookers by the shoreline across, it set a nervous pang in me that was equally excited to hunt some treasure.

We stood aboard a small motorized dhow yacht, squeezing our nervous bodies into dive suits, surrounded by all the glitzy paraphernalia of seafaring. I was all ready to head out in search of ‘Pearls’ and enjoy or get a glimpse into some way off the experiences of the original Bahraini Pearl Divers.

After we took a 10-15 min journey from the coast to the middle of the diving site, it was when it all set in. The anchor of the boat was dropped, and the engines were switched off, cutting the buzzing of the engines. It was just the lapping of the water against the boat’s hull that was an audible sound.

(Credits: Getty Images)

Firstly, the diving team’s captain gave a quick and concise demonstration. As the boat settled in, our Captain quickly put his flippers, tank, mask, and weight band on. He slipped a yellow net-bag under his belt before arching back and diving into the water for his adventure. Minutes later, he appeared from the depths of the underwater experience; his net peppered with a handful of oysters. I watched him in complete awe. Back on-board, he explained how the pearls are created and the know-how of pearl farming from the oysters.

Pearl diving bahrain
(Credits: ScubaLife.bh)

The Wonder & Discovery

Now it was our turn! Sweaty palms. Check. Excited head. Check. With the group and my turn coming up, we prepared ourselves with masks, snorkels, and weight belts just like our captain. Gingerly, we entered the water along with the captain who led us all the way down to the seabed.

I hoped to make it back on earth and jumped into the deep blue sea. That was the minute I was waiting for, nervous about and it finally happened. The experience is something that cannot be out in words. I was awestruck by the sheer beauty of the underwater sea. From seemingly harmless baby sharks (that admittedly gave me scares) to angelfishes and blemies, underwater is a surreal place.

I soaked it all in, registered as much as I could and shifted my attention to the task at hand- Oyster Hunting. The sea bed had some sea snakes and loads of oysters that I decided to carry back to the shore. However, nothing can match the sheer beauty of the sea and the many sea creatures underwater.

Once I picked up the oysters and climbed back to the ship, I opened up the oyster shells to discover my treasure. And oh, boy! That sight was just gorgeous.

Once we farmed the pearls, the authorities appraise them for value and quality, but don’t you worry! We, travelers, are allowed to bring our natural bounty from the pearl diving adventure back from Bahrain!

Its one thing to tick things off your bucket list and its another thing to experience a whole new world you might never get to be part of on a daily basis. To me, diving was all about the second one. The diving experience changed me as a person. I learned mindfulness, and to live in the moment. Besides, the vast nothingness of the ocean made me come to terms with the real motive of life.

Take a dive, take back an experience of a lifetime!