Bahrain, A Kingdom Deeply Proud Of Its Seafaring Heritage

Did you see the bubbles?”

Abbas AlFaraj, a licensed tour guide in Bahrain, pointed towards the shallow waters near Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain) on the northern coast of the island, where steady bursts of water rise quietly from beneath the seabed.

“Do you know what that is?” he asked.

“Water bubbles,” I replied, without thinking much of it.

He smiled. “That is Bahrain,” he said.

ORIGINS OF ‘TWO SEAS’

The bubbles, he explained, mark the meeting of underground freshwater springs and the saltwater of the Arabian Gulf, a rare natural phenomenon that gave the kingdom its name, derived from the Arabic phrase Al-Baḥrayn, which means “two seas”.

The Kingdom of Bahrain, an archipelago of 33 natural and man-made islands, is located in the Arabian Gulf and has a population of about 1.5 million.

Licensed tour guide in Bahrain, Abbas AlFaraj, explaining about Bahrain's traditional pearl industry.

Long before oil wealth and international sporting events, this “meeting of waters” sustained early settlements and enabled Bahrain to flourish as a maritime trading hub linking Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley and beyond.

Standing there in the cool February breeze, with the Gulf wind cutting gently across the fort grounds, it became clear to me that Bahrain’s story is not confined to a single monument.

(The writer was in Bahrain on a familiarisation trip organised by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority in mid-February 2026.)

At Qal’at al-Bahrain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was occupied by humans for nearly 4,500 years, the scale of preservation is hard to miss. The archaeological grounds stretch openly along the coastline, largely free of commercial intrusion. Entry to the fort is free, with only a modest fee charged for the adjacent museum.

There are no long rows of souvenir stalls lining the pathways. Visitors move through layers of history with space to pause and absorb. It feels deliberate.

Abbas, dressed in Bahrain’s traditional white jubah and headscarf, conducted the tour in fluent English. A native Arabic speaker who is also conversant in Spanish, he spoke with quiet pride. He did not rush. He did not sell. He explained.

“Our history is rooted in trade,” he said.

After leaving the fort, our group moved on to the next stop. Along the way, I noticed replicas of traditional wooden maritime vessels across the island, along waterfronts, near roundabouts and even inside hotel corridors where our group stayed, reminders of Bahrain's seafaring past.

A modern nation, yet deeply proud of its seafaring identity, I thought.

THE PEARLING PATH AND MARITIME LEGACY

From the fort’s open grounds overlooking the Gulf, we made our way into narrower streets and older neighbourhoods. In Muharraq, the 3.5-kilometre Pearling Path links restored merchant houses, former oyster beds and coastal fortifications that once formed the backbone of the island’s economy.

For centuries, pearl divers plunged repeatedly into Gulf waters, holding their breath for one to two minutes at a time and making dozens of descents in a single day. It was exhausting and dangerous work that demanded endurance and skill.

The writer had the opportunity to enjoy food at a local restaurant on a table with a plastic cover.

“I am a diver too,” Abbas said with a laugh, before adding that he could manage about a minute underwater. “But not like my ancestors. They could dive much longer.”

Much of Pearling Path can be explored freely. The emphasis is on interpretation and continuity rather than merchandise. The restored houses, traditional diving equipment and preserved streetscape allow visitors to see how the pearl industry once flourished there.

SOUQ AL MANAMA

Later, our group went to Souq Al Manama, where history shifts from curated preservation to living trade. Its narrow lanes are lined with spice, textile and gold shops.

Traders greet visitors politely, keeping a respectful distance. The atmosphere feels familiar, reminiscent of Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, where traditional commerce adapts quietly within a modern city.

A lively atmosphere at Souq Al Manama.

Afterwards, we had lunch at a local restaurant that offered another glimpse into the daily rhythm. Meals were served communally on tables covered with simple plastic sheets – practical, hygienic and generous.

Before leaving the souq, I bought a kilogramme of chocolate candies as a small memento for colleagues and family back home.

TOURISM AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

For me, Bahrain is not frozen in the past. The kingdom hosts the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix and continues to attract international visitors, with tourism contributing to around seven percent of its gross domestic product.

It is modern, connected and outward-looking.

Yet what stayed with me was neither Bahrain’s race circuit nor the city skyline. It was when Abbas pointed to the rising bubbles and said, “That is Bahrain”.

Perhaps what he meant was this: Bahrain is built not only on what it once drew from the sea, such as trade, pearls and passage, but also on what it chose to preserve. Profit has its place, yet identity often outlives commerce.

Malaysia, too, was born of the waves. Our history once centred on the Strait of Malacca, an empire defined by a seafaring identity every bit as deep as Bahrain’s. 

If we can reclaim that same pride in our origins, perhaps we too can one day point to our own horizons and say, with equal conviction: “That is Malaysia”.