6 Marine animals found in the Middle East

6 Marine animals found in the Middle East

The Middle East is home to a diverse range of marine wildlife. In celebration of World Oceans Day on June 8, we look at six marine animals that can be found in the region. 

  1. Turtle
    Turtle
    Oman boasts five of the seven species of turtles that migrate to the beaches of the Arab Peninsula annually to lay their eggs.
  2. Humpback Dolphin
    Humpback Dolphin
    Abu Dhabi is home to one of the largest populations of the humpback dolphin. You can spot them in shallow waters and channels around the UAE capital.
  3. Mediterranean Monk Seal
    Mediterranean Monk Seal
    The endangered creatures can be found throughout the Mediterranean and appear along the coasts of Morocco and Algeria.
  4. Dugong
    Dugong
    Also known as the sea cow, the highest numbers of the marine animal are found in the Gulf off the coasts of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE.
  5. Whale Shark
    Whale Shark
    The typically harmless sea creatures are often found in warm, shallow waters, making the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman suitable habitats.
  6. Blue-Spotted Ray
    Blue-Spotted Ray
    One of the most iconic species of the Red Sea, the blue spotted ribbontail ray is a common species of stingray almost guaranteed to be sighted on any dive in an Egyptian reef.