🇰🇼Kuwait

Before Entering the Water

• Obtain the exact departure dock, skipper contact and authorized site. Follow exclusion zones and Coast Guard instructions; do not navigate alone in restricted waters.
• Review the marine forecast for Qaruh and Umm Al Maradim and accept weather cancellation. Shamal winds, spring dust, seasonal heat and currents can make a shallow dive unsuitable.
• Verify working oxygen, first aid, rescue ladder, life jackets, marine radio/backup communications and a rehearsed offshore evacuation plan. These were not confirmed for every advertised boat.
• Stay within certification and experience. Beginner-labeled reefs can still have current; the Qaruh Wreck near 35 m demands advanced planning. Avoid overhead penetration.
• Use a buddy, dive computer and SMB for scuba. Freediving requires a dedicated trained in-water safety buddy, not only a buoy; never freedive alone or hyperventilate.
• Respect moorings, do not touch coral and ensure your insurance covers the actual activity, depth and geographic area.

For suspected decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, drowning or serious illness, call Kuwait emergency services at 112 first and contact the Coast Guard at 1880888 when maritime assistance is necessary. Administer oxygen and first aid by trained responders and arrange immediate medical evaluation; do not attempt to self-transfer directly to a chamber without medical coordination. DAN lists a 24-hour international emergency hotline at +1 919 684 9111 after local EMS is activated. Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society 2026 materials list Al-Amiri Hospital and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital among re-accredited hyperbaric facilities, but current acceptance of emergency recreational dive cases and offshore transfer pathways must be arranged through dispatch and the treating physician. Confirm evacuation coverage and the operator emergency referral before boarding.

Protected Marine Habitats

Kuwait Environment Public Authority designates Kubbar, Qaruh and Umm Al Maradim as southern island nature reserves. The northern Mubarak Al-Kabeer reserve protects Bubiyan and Warba mudflats, tidal channels and wildlife habitat; it is not an informal recreational boat area. EPA inspectors have documented Qaruh violations for anchors on coral and advised using established moorings. Do not collect coral or shells, damage nests, dispose of waste, feed or chase wildlife, or carry out landing, fishing, camping, barbecues, filming or other special activities without clear legal authorization.

Seasonal Wildlife Respect

EPA describes tern breeding on Kubbar from May through August. Never approach nesting areas or use drones or loud events that disturb seabirds. Do not promise turtle sightings. Check EPA eMISK coastal alerts for pollution and other swim/sail warnings, and leave sites undisturbed when an authority or skipper closes them.