The southern Gulf coast is low-lying, swampy and rich in seagrasses. The water is shallow and unsuitable for good coral growth, although there are numerous patch reefs. The extensive areas of subtidal rocky platform along the Abu Dhabi coast were until recently dominated by corals and algae. Fringing reefs grow around many of the islands, which extend across to the coast of Qatar.

The coastline of the UAE extends 650 km along the southern shore of the Gulf and for 90 km along the Gulf of Oman to the east. However, the total coral reef area, which occurs as shoals and around the numerous offshore islands, is about 1,190 km2 because the entire EEZ is less than 20 m deep. Many similarities exist between Dubai’s coral communities and those of other parts of the Gulf particularly Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Notable absences from the UAE fauna include Montipora, Pocillopora, Goniopora, all fungiids, agariciids, and oculinids, alcyonaceans, as well as hydrozoans, although many of these taxa are found elsewhere in the Gulf and on other high-latitude reefs in the Arabian region. In general, coral cover, and recovery, was better towards the east than in the west.

Excellent coral growth occurs around Sir Abu Nuair Island (Sharjah Emirate) with probably the best Acropora stand in the southeastern Gulf. These corals were severely bleached in 2002 but recovered, probably because they have a degree of acclimation. The Acropora bleached much less than the faviids and poritids; a complete reversal from the situation in 1996.

The highest cover and diversity of corals along the mainland coast of Dubai is in the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary has a wide diversity of habitats (lagoons, seagrass beds and coral communities) that are all close together and have strong ecological links. The area was hit hard by bleaching in 1996 and 1998 but recovery is strong, probably due to the availability of new recruits from deeper water.