Exploring the east coast emirate of Fujairah, UAE (and snorkelling around Snoopy Island!)
Introduction
Fancy exploring further within the United Arab Emirates, beyond the well known cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai? Then keep reading for an extraordinary trip to Fujairah, UAE! Fortunately this country is wonderfully accessible by well maintained highways and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for a road trip!
The emirate of Fujairah is one of the 7 emirates that makes up the United Arab Emirates. It is the only emirate with a coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman, as opposed to the Persian Gulf. The coastline is home to multiple towns, with the city of Fujairah being the capital of the emirate of Fujairah.
Hire a car for the weekend and prepare to feast your eyes upon some stunning scenery. The flat sandy city scapes of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are replaced with towering rocky mountains, deep valleys, palm tree oases and ancient relics. The stunning Hajar mountains which cross into neighbouring Oman set the magnificent backdrop to this adventure to the east coast of the UAE. You’ll travel through long tunnels cut into the mountains and pass by the stunning turquoise gulf. This is one of the best weekend getaways from Dubai and Abu Dhabi!
In this itinerary you will enjoy the incredible snorkelling around Snoopy Island at Sandy Beach Resort & Hotel, as well as a tour around Khorfakkan town and even visit the oldest mosque in the UAE!
For further details about visiting the UAE, including climate, culture and accommodation, see my other posts on the UAE here.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Abu Dhabi (or Dubai)
Takeaway coffee from Mazaraa Farm Shop
Khor Fakkan waterfall and amphitheater
Check in to Sandy Beach Resort
Snorkel with turtles around Snoopy Island
Dinner & overnight at Sandy Beach Resort
Day 2
Early morning beach swim
Breakfast at Amouage Restaurant
Al Bidya mosque – the oldest in the UAE
Al Bidya fort
Rest Area, Al Suhub (Sharjah emirate)
Rumailah Farm for fresh icecream
Fujairah Corniche
Lunch from a local food truck
Drive back to Abu Dhabi (or Dubai)
Sharjah mosque
Depart Abu Dhabi or Dubai
Departing from Abu Dhabi, the journey east to Fujairah, UAE, will take approximately 2.5 hours. From Dubai, it’s roughly 1.5 hours. There are plenty of options for car hire in both cities or if flying in from the airport.
Takeaway coffee from Mazaraa Farm Shop
As a special treat for those departing from Abu Dhabi, make sure to stop by the quaint Mazaraa Farm Shop. On the outskirts of the city in Al Bahyah is this vibrant shop focused on sustainable farming methods, zero waste and the ‘farm to fork’ concept. The plot is large and houses a specialty coffee cafe, shopping hall with fresh produce for sale, outdoor restaurant, animals and rows of crops which visitors can wander through. Akin to most places in the UAE, you’ll traverse some dusty roads and industrial zones to get there, but the destination is definitely worth it.
We were offered two types of coffee beans: Nicaraguan or Ethiopian. Each came with a different promise: the former designed to facilitate one to ‘drink and think’ and the latter purpose fit to party!
We spent some time in the (mild winter) sunshine outdoors chatting (and thinking!) before heading to the farm to peruse the offerings. Note there is a 25 AED charge for adults and 15 AED for children over 4 years of age.
Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre and Waterfall
Technically, Khor Fakkan is a city and exclave of the Emirate of Sharjah, that is surrounded by Fujairah. After Fujairah, Khor Fakkan is the second largest UAE city on the east coast and has a population of approximately 40,000. Home to one of the major container ports in the UAE, it is also highly popular with tourists due to its white sand beaches and coral reefs.
We found our way here to investigate two noteworthy structures we had found on a Google search: the amphitheatre and the waterfall.
Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre
This stunning Roman-inspired stone amphitheatre was inaugurated on 14 December 2020 by Sheik Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. It can accommodate 3600 guests, with 6 elevators in the lobby, a cooling system and an impressive 295 columns. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in ancient Turkey or Greece! Located at the foot of ‘Al Sayed’ mountain, it faces the beach of Khorfakkan, allowing visitors to see the natural side of the city.
Khor Fakkan Waterfall
The magnificent 45 metre high Khor Fakkan Waterfall is connected to the Amphitheatre and whilst it is man made, it was carved out of natural rock. It is often illuminated at night and its viewing windows at the top are sometimes open to the public, allowing incredible views across the Gulf of Oman.
Check in to Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort
Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort is iconic along the Fujairah coast of the UAE. Nestled among the Indian Ocean and the picturesque Hajar Mountains, the sprawling hotel complex owns the coveted beachfront directly in front of Snoopy Island, a diving mecca in Fujairah. The resort is replete with panoramic rooftop bar, an infinity pool with swim up bar, seafood restaurant and more sunbeds than you could poke a stick at. The Sandy Beach Diving Centre is located on site, with courses for beginners and professionals.
Snorkel around Snoopy Island
The drawcard to Fujairah is verifiably Snoopy Island in the region of Al Aqah. The island is a craggy rock mass, named after the cartoon character’s silhouette when he is sleeping atop his kennel. Its rich circulating marine life includes Blacktip reef sharks, turtles, seahorses, stingrays and whalesharks. Along with a mesmerising mix of colourful reef fish and hard and soft corals, visitors are in for a visual treat!
Tips before heading out
After setting the scene for the ideal circumstance, I would say that reality is slightly different. We had come fully prepared: buying our own goggles and snorkel tube and life jackets from a Carrefour shopping mall in Abu Dhabi. These items are available for hire at Sandy Beach Resort but for Covid hygiene reasons, we elected to take our own. If you’re a local and plan to go snorkelling again, then it’s more cost efficient to buy your own; either on Amazon or at a local store.
One of the members in our group had been snorkelling here before and recommended a life vest and I am certainly glad to have heeded this warning. We were all reasonable swimmers, albeit not experts, yet these were still highly useful. I’d also consider wearing gloves if you plan on snorkelling the complete loop around Snoopy Island. These would have minimised the fingertip cuts we sustained from the rocks and barnacles attached to the guide ropes!
Before setting out, I’d recommend notifying one of the hotel staff or the life saver on duty of your plan.
The Calm Water Experience
In the calm, shallow water between the beach and island and with the sun directly above, the snorkelling experience is a dream. Shortly after commencing the clockwise journey around Snoopy Island, we were privvy to some remarkable sealife: fish in all shapes, sizes and colour. There were large schools as well as pairs of fish darting around mimicking each other’s movements. Visibility reached the ocean floor and the current was tolerable. Sadly we did not see any turtles.
The Rough Current Experience
After leaving the shallow water and approaching Snoopy Island, the current became (almost frighteningly) strong and in the direction of the island. This meant it was pushing us toward the rock. The water was also deep and dark and with the sun on the other side of the island, visibility was almost non-existent. There is a portion of rock hidden underwater which created quite a few scrapes and bruises amongst our party of three and we were out of sight from shore. Fortunately there were a few diving boats passing by which we could have alerted if we became truly troubled. We decided to push on and complete the circle around Snoopy Island, albeit with much camaraderie, some nervous laughter and a big group hug once we reached the shallow water again.
Final Thoughts
Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself in for! Speak to a member of staff before setting out in order to determine the best time of day to snorkel based on the tide, current and sun. For beginner swimmers or snorkellers, stick to the stretch of ocean between the island and the beach.
Dinner & overnight at Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort
After a day of snorkelling, diving, swimming in the infinity pool or relaxing on a sunbed by the Indian Ocean, there are a few ways to refuel at Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort.
Snoopy’s Beach Bar & Grill
This relaxed pool and beach restaurant offers grilled snacks as well as burgers, sandwiches and tasty chicken wings. We found this the perfect way to end our day in a casual environment, amongst other hotel patrons. For some reason wine is served in a plastic cup at this venue and it closes shortly after sundown but otherwise it’s a delightful space.
Amouage Seafood Restaurant
The resort’s seafood restaurant is set within a charming European-style beach hut, with stone statues and elegant lanterns decorating its terrace. In addition to fresh seafood from the Indian Ocean, they also offer Arabic and Asian-influenced dishes.
Private BBQ by your chalet
Surprisingly, shortly after sunset at 7.30pm, the entire resort was packing up and we were being asked if it was ok for them to turn off the Bar & Grill venue lights. The website promises quite an action packed evening, with live music, karaoke and delicious cocktails in the rooftop Oceanview Bar, but our experience was quite different to that. However, many small groups had opted for the private BBQ option, whereby resort staff assemble an open grill outside your chalet and assist with food items for you to cook. We must have missed the memo on this one but had a fun girls night in anyway with face masks, snacks and episodes of FRIENDS on TV!
Early morning beach swim
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sun shining, birds chirping and a refreshing dip in the ocean before breakfast.
We spent some time acclimatising to the water and then having a fun splash about, followed by some intense soaking up of rays on the comfortable sun beds. The water was surprisingly salty, so it’s worth having a quick shower before breakfast.
Breakfast at Amouage Restaurant
Amouage sets a serene scene, with guests offered a variety of breakfast packages or a la carte options. Packages come with a freshly squeezed juice (orange, watermelon, carrot, papaya), hot coffee or tea, a bread and pastry basket, eggs and either porridge or baked beans. The service is fantastic and the views across the Fujairah coastline of the UAE are even better.
Al Bidya Mosque
On the drive down to Fujairah city centre, keep a look out for an exit on the right hand side of the road, to one of the oldest mosques in the UAE. Al Bidya (Bidyah, Badiyah) is a settlement in the Emirate of Fujairah. This was once thought to be the oldest mosque in the UAE until the ruins of a 1000-year old mosque were found in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, the small modest stone and mud brick structure is still in use today. The information sign outside declares that according to radio carbon analysis, the mosque may date back to as early as 1446 AD. Ladies, take note that the site is highly conservative and to visit, religious custom necessitates full coverage, either with an abaya or long loose clothing.
Al Bidya Fort
Behind the Al Bidya Mosque and up some steps, is the Al Bidya Fort.
It’s well worth the effort climbing to the top, where a tall UAE flag stands proud.
From this vantage point, you’ll have breathtaking 360 degree views around the local mountains, date palm oasis and ocean. Remains and other finds from this Portuguese era fort were discovered in the village by a team of Australian archaeologists.
Al Suhub Rest Area (Sharjah emirate)
Quite by chance, we came across the Al Suhub Rest Area. A distinctive ‘UFO’ type building was evident atop one of the highest mountains behind the Khor Fakkan amphitheatre that we had visited the day prior and we were keen to investigate! This was quite possibly one of the most amazing features of our weekend trip.
A winding well-constructed road leads up the face of the mountain, which again resides in the small area of Sharjah emirate on the east of UAE en route to Fujairah city. A 20 AED toll is required to enter. At the top is a restaurant with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the mountainous pass, the working port of Khor Fakkan and the glistening Indian Ocean. These exquisite views can also be viewed outside, by walking around the restaurant. We found it to be extremely windy but definitely worth the trek!
Rumailah Farm for fresh icecream
Home to the only Jersey cows in the UAE, this farm features fresh milk and icecream products. Staff also allow a ‘try before you buy’! Visitors can interact with the gorgeous brown cows before walking through a fairy-light tunnel to the restaurant which is idyllically located by the ocean at one end of the Fujairah Corniche. Simple wooden seats and tables are situated beneath towering palm trees adding to that relaxed beachy feeling! Favourite flavours for me were coconut, saffron and mango.
Lunch and a walk along Fujairah Corniche
Fujairah Corniche has been developed as a hip, trendy strip of food trucks and cafes, serving all sorts of fare from Greek, to Arabic to International. It’s the perfect place to avail some lunch and we could not go past Al Areesh food truck for goat schawarma in saj bread with garlic sauce. At 16 AED, it was a steal!
Take some time to wander along the beautifully landscaped paths and grassed area. It’s perfect for people watching and sea gazing.
Drive back to Abu Dhabi (or Dubai)
Alas, the weekend is almost complete and it’s time to drive back to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The mountains will again greet you as you begin your journey home, until they soon dissipate into the flat arid desert landscape.
Sharjah mosque
On the journey home, consider a quick stop at the impressive Sharjah mosque. It’s impossible to miss from the highway and is the largest mosque in the emirate of Sharjah.
