dolphins in the middle east?

[dolphin]

I saw there wan't a post in teh middle east forum and wanted to put something there. So are there any great places for dolphins in the middle east

[karlabb]

A friend of mine went diving in the Red Sea, which is off the coast of egypt in the middle and I think I remember seeing dolphins in some of the pics she brought back

[paul m]

But we should be warned that the Red Sea, being largely enclosed is suffering from human activities (including tourism). The reefs are being seriously damaged and many rare species are being killed off ....
e.g.
Red Sea Riviera

[ajdh]

You can go on dolphin watch trips from Bahrain but I don't know how environmentally friendly they are.

[Jacqueline Burrell]

One of the best places in the Middle East is the Sultanate of Oman where 21 different species of dolphins and whales have been identified along its 1700 kilometres of coast.

The country is very different from the other Gulf States and in total contrast to somewhere like Dubai in UAE which is like a Disney theme in the sand complete in locals in fancy dress!

Oman does not at all conform to the stereotypical views of a Middle-Eastern country and it's approach to tourism has been to identify and protect its natural and culturally rich attractions [it was one of the most important trading centres of the ancient world].

They are not interested in charter plane loads of tourists who just want to toast on the beach but those who are interested in the indigenous wildlife and their breeding programmes for Arabian leopards and oryx etc as well as the marine life. Incidentally, they breed some of the best Arabian horses and camels in the Middle East.

Jacqueline

[mtngoat]

Jacqueline, since you live around that area, do you know if there is a large species of whales in that area of the Mediterranean? Or anywhere in the Mediterranean?