As the global diving industry enters a new era of growth, the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) 2026 will host a specialised epicentre for underwater exploration: the DiveMENA Expo. Scheduled for April 8–12, 2026, at Dubai Harbour, this pavilion serves as the definitive platform for brands in diving, underwater adventure, and specialised marine equipment.
The expo serves as a vital link between the thriving Middle Eastern market and the global stage. With the global diving equipment market projected to reach $4.42 billion in 2026 and nearly $7.9 billion by 2034, the event offers an unparalleled opportunity to tap into a community fueled by a 7.5% CAGR. This appeal is reinforced by a surge in underwater tourism, an industry that contributes between $8.5 billion and $20.4 billion annually to the global economy. As travelers prioritize immersive, nature-based adventures, the diving tourism market is expected to hit $5.09 billion by 2025 with a rapid 11.3% growth rate.
In the UAE, momentum is reaching new heights as the nation solidifies its status as a premier luxury adventure destination. The UAE is the region’s fastest-growing market for marine electronics, projected to reach $197.7 million by 2030. This positioning is strategic: the UAE’s domestic diving tourism market is forecast to grow at a robust 8.7% CAGR. Furthermore, with UAE travel and tourism investment set to rise to $20.3 billion by 2027, the expo provides a direct gateway to a sector that now constitutes 11.2% of the nation’s total investment.
Why Dubai is emerging as a diving destination
Dubai is rapidly transforming its coastline into a world-class aquatic playground, shifting its reputation from a luxury transit hub to a top-tier destination for marine adventure. Central to this evolution is the Dubai Reef project, a massive sustainability initiative that is deploying 20,000 purpose-built reef modules across 600 square kilometres of the emirate’s waters. By 2026, this “undersea city” is expected to significantly boost local biodiversity, with early pilot phases already showing an eightfold increase in fish biomass and the return of 15 native species, including groupers and eagle rays.
The city’s positioning as a global adventure hub is further anchored by record-breaking attractions that offer year-round, weather-proof diving. Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool at 60.02 metres, features a “sunken city” themed environment that has become a viral sensation for international travellers and professional divers alike. This facility, combined with unique “aquarium diving” experiences at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo—which houses over 33,000 aquatic animals—provides a controlled entry point for the 17.5 million international visitors Dubai welcomed in 2025, many of whom are seeking purposeful travel and nature-based thrills.
The city’s evolution is further guided by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, a visionary blueprint that aims to double green and recreational spaces and increase the length of public beaches by a staggering 400%. This environmental commitment is most visible in the Dubai Reef project, which is currently deploying 20,000 purpose-built reef modules across 600 square kilometres. This initiative is already attracting a new wave of eco-conscious divers who prioritise sustainability alongside safety and luxury. DiveMENA Expo 2026 at the Dubai Harbour is the definitive bridge to this demographic—a place where the appetite for elite adventure is met by a city with the world-class infrastructure to support it on a grand scale.
Global and local brands under one roof
DiveMENA 2026 serves as the definitive nexus for the underwater industry, uniting more than 1,000 international brands and over 200 yachts within a single specialised ecosystem at Dubai Harbour. This year’s exhibition floor showcases a powerful digital convergence where heritage diving brands meet the next generation of marine tech. Global leaders such as Aqualung, Apeks, and Mares are expected to present their latest professional-grade regulators and life-support systems alongside tech pioneers like Garmin, who are driving a UAE marine electronics market projected to reach $197.7 million by 2030.
What sets DiveMENA apart is its seamless integration into the broader Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), providing a comprehensive 360-degree perspective of the global maritime landscape. Within the Proudly UAE Pavilion, the focus centres on homegrown innovation, spotlighting local distributors and maritime pioneers like Gulf Craft, Al Masaood, and Al Yousuf Motors. These entities are instrumental in driving a regional maritime sector that saw a fivefold increase in commercial permits during late 2025, reflecting a surge in international investor confidence in Dubai’s marine business environment. This local expertise is flanked by the cutting-edge Marina Display and the prestigious Superyacht Avenue, where vessels up to 160 meters long serve as floating showcases for bespoke onboard dive centres and advanced leisure submersibles.
The expo also bridges the gap between high-end leisure and technical precision through specialised zones like the Innovation Zone and the Sustainability Hub. These areas prioritise breakthrough technologies—ranging from hydrogen-powered propulsion to recycled refit materials—that align with the UAE’s strategic environmental goals. or brands, this “under one roof” approach offers an unparalleled B2B and B2C stage, positioning exhibitors directly in front of an elite audience.
Connecting with the diving community and tourism market
DiveMENA 2026 serves as a high-value bridge to a global diving tourism market projected to reach $5 billion this year, growing at a rapid 11% CAGR. For exhibitors, the expo offers a strategic entry point into a region where outbound travel expenditure is accelerating toward $60 billion by 2030, fueled by an affluent traveller base increasingly seeking “intentional restoration” and high-octane adventure. This environment creates a unique dual-track opportunity: brands can secure large-scale B2B contracts with the region’s expanding resorts and training centres while simultaneously engaging a high-intent B2C audience of divers who prioritise the latest in safety and ultraluxe experiences.
The event’s professional significance is further amplified by its role as a hub for industry milestones and networking. In 2026, PADI celebrates its 60th anniversary, using the global stage to drive new conservation initiatives like the Global Shark and Ray Census and to connect with its community of 30 million certified divers. This concentration of industry leaders, combined with a UAE domestic diving market forecast to reach $474.8 million by 2033, ensures that exhibitors are positioned at the heart of a thriving ecosystem.
Cross-over appeal with the wider DIBS experience
While DiveMENA 2026 provides a specialised platform for underwater professionals, its most potent commercial advantage is its integration into the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS). Operating within this larger ecosystem allows exhibitors to step beyond a niche market and engage with an expansive, high-calibre audience. In 2025, DIBS welcomed over 35,000 visitors representing more than 60 countries, solidifying its status as the premier marine lifestyle event in the MENA region.
With a visitor base that includes international media and VIP delegates from over 120 nations, the expo serves as a high-visibility gateway for brands seeking global exposure. This positioning places the diving industry at the intersection of a multi-billion-dollar maritime economy where family adventure, technical innovation, and elite tourism converge. For exhibitors, this translates into a high-intent marketplace where the demand for world-class diving experiences is backed by a city that has officially transitioned into a permanent global stronghold for wealth and lifestyle investment.
Exhibitor advantage at DiveMENA
As global diving equipment sales surge to $4.42 billion this year, the Middle East has emerged as a premier hub for the “technical-lite” movement—where high-spending recreational divers are adopting professional-grade, modular systems. DiveMENA 2026 offers exhibitors an unparalleled opportunity to capitalise on the Middle East’s shift toward advanced underwater technology.
In a region where 60% of diving gear usage is concentrated in specialised professional and technical sectors, exhibitors have a unique opportunity to displace competitors by putting advanced, AI-integrated life-support systems and high-durability equipment directly into the hands of the Middle East’s most serious buyers. For brands, this translates into immediate access to a market ready to bypass traditional retail barriers for the latest in maritime innovation.
Call to Action
The future of underwater exploration is converging at Dubai Harbour. Whether you are launching AI-integrated gear or world-class travel experiences, this is the only venue where global media, elite divers, and commercial buyers meet in one place. Join the Dubai International Boat Show this April and lead the next wave of industry innovation.
