Since opening in September, Dive Bahrain, the world’s largest underwater theme park, has attracted divers from over 50 countries to explore its flagship attraction — a 70-meter-long sunken Boeing 747.

Now, Dive Bahrain is gearing up to implement additional attractions that will complete the park’s first phase of development.

The Diyar Al Muharraq island complex is overseeing the creation of a replica traditional Bahraini pearl merchant's house that will be submerged in the park, and sail-like concrete structures will also be added as artificial reefs for divers to explore.

Once these attractions are implemented, the park will cover a 100,000-square-meter area that will be accessible only through local licensed dive operators.

As a protected area, the park is intended to provide a haven for coral and marine life. However, the area is still facing threats from prohibited activity.

Just weeks ago, at the beginning of February, parts of Dive Bahrain — mostly the fuselage area of the Boeing 747 — were damaged by illegal shrimp trawlers who entered the boundaries of the park.

Specialized marine investigators are using radar and tracking data to identify the vessels responsible for the damage. They have found significant evidence that points to heavy trawling nets colliding with the fuselage of the plane and the sea floor.

A spokesman for Dive Bahrain confirmed that work is underway to repair the damage to the 747, which is the largest purpose-sunk aircraft in existence.

“The enormously positive response Dive Bahrain has received, locally, regionally and internationally, had already accelerated work on the other pre-planned elements of the dive park,” the spokesman says. “But this incident has encouraged us to add even more elements, bolstering the uniqueness of Dive Bahrain’s offering and, of course, expanding the potential habitats for marine life.”

Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed Al Zayani adds: “While the dive site sustained damage, work continues to build the largest underwater park which will continue to provide a thrilling diving experience for those who visit and, more importantly, a viable habitat for local marine species.”

In the second phase of development, Dive Bahrain is planning to add a sculpture garden, shipwrecks and artificial reef spheres. You can see more about the park’s development at divebahrain.com.