Fujairah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE that is situated solely on the coastline of Gulf of Oman, is located on the eastern part of the United Arab Emirates.
Fujairah is known for its serene beaches, rugged mountains, valleys, waterfalls and for activities like diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and many more. So if you are big-time nature-lover, then this sea-and-sand city of Fujairah is the right place for you!
From the ancient museums to numerous forts, Fujairah is also popular for its architectural treasures and preserving its history & culture.
Here are my top picks for the best things to do in Fujairah:
1. Relax at Umbrella Beach
Umbrella Beach is newly developed seafront destination for all-around family fun and activities in the eastern emirates.
The beach is a public recreation area with a free entry. The beach infrastructure has a number of umbrellas and a recently planted palm alley, creating a natural shadow. The park has a kid’s Jungle area, Jogging tracks, Padel tennis court, Caffes and endless options for food & drink.
2. Take a tour of Fujairah Heritage Village
Also termed as a “living museum”, Fujairah Heritage Village will take you back to the roots of UAE, its heritage and culture.
There’s a plethora of archeological finds, old forts, ancient houses, artifacts, and farming tools. Don’t miss out to watch the traditional Harbiya dance out there! Interestingly, its all for just AED 5.
3. Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah
Fujairah City’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque is spread over the size of three football pitches and features 65 magnificent domes and six minarets each 100 meters high. The mosque has enough space to accommodate 28,000 worshippers. It holds the crown of being the second biggest mosque in the UAE.
It is located on Mohammed Bin Matar Road in Fujairah city.
4. Visit Fujairah Fort in Fujairah City
Fujairah Fort was built in 1670 to serve as a residence and defense structure for the emirate’s ruling family. Being the oldest battlement in the UAE, this mud-brick building can be found 20m above sea level close to Fujairah Heritage Village.
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5. Watch Bull fighting in Fujairah Corniche
Bull Fighting has been a tradition for Fujairah cattle breeders for more than half a century. Every Friday evening in the winter months, the breeders assemble at the Fujairah corniche to conduct the bull fighting and determine which of their bulls is the strongest.
Huge crowds including local families and young children, gather in a large field or prefer to watch this thrilling bull fight from their vehicle rooftops. The fight begins with 20 bulls battling each other, and the numbers slowly decline as the winners progress to the next round. There is no prize for the ultimate winner but it increases the value of the bull and brings honor to its owner.
6. Go for a Picnic at Kalba Corniche Park
If you are preferring for a private family time, to spend some quality time with your kids and enjoy a peaceful and a conversational picnic, this is the ideal place.
This park is neat and well maintained having shaded areas to place your mat, children’s playground area and also an access to the beach. It is located in Suhaila in Fujairah.
7. Camping at Al Aqah Beach
Al Aqah Beach is located 45 kilometers north of Fujairah City, on the Gulf of Oman. This beach is one of the perfect destination for a weekend getaway and is just a 2 hours drive from the city of Dubai.
Though there are many popular resorts situated at this beach shore to stay overnight, camping at this beach side will offer you a lifetime experience. You can pitch your tents at Al Aqah Beach Camping Site, prepare a grill, and spend a night under the stars only to wake up in the morning to catch spectacular views of the sea and mountains and projection of the admired “Snoopy Island”.
Al Aqah is popular for all kinds of water sports, from stand up paddle boarding to snorkeling. It is the hub of the UAE’s scuba diving with its main diving sites including two wrecks that were intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef for divers and the car cemetery site.
8. Hiking through Hajar Mountains wadis
The rocky mountain terrain at Fujairah offers some fun hiking trails for all hikers and climbers.
Gather your friends and hike around the majestic Hajar Mountains to explore the incredible nature of Fujairah. Among the most beautiful wadis in the area are Wadi Siji, Wadi Saham, and Wadi Maidaq. To the north of Fujairah, is the most famous wadi – Wadi al-Wurayah Biosphere Reserve, which is closed to the public now.
9. Learn about Fujairah’s past at Fujairah Museum
To the south of Fujairah Fort is located the Fujairah Museum, which is the archeology and local history museum in the emirate. The museum houses multiple halls, each showcasing the past life through different aspects like traditional occupations in the UAE, antique weapons and ancient artifacts.
Fujairah Museum opening hours are as below:
- Sunday to Thursday: 08:30 am to 01:30 pm and 04:30 pm to 06:30 pm.
- Friday: 02:30 pm to 06:30 pm.
Entry ticket to the museum is AED 5 per person.
10. Scuba Diving under the sea at Dibba Rock
Are you a deep-sea diver? Well, here is the place! With the incredible rock formations, crystal clear sea-waters and a breathtaking coral reef, Dibba Rock is the oldest marine protected in the UAE. The dive under Dibba rock ranges from 5meter to 16 meters deep and it is also the perfect spot for open water divers.
There is abundance of marine life around this island from blacktip sharks and reef fish to cuttlefish, rays, turtles and squid and if you are really lucky, the occasional Whaleshark!
11. Parasailing over Khorfakkan Beach
Parasailing in Fujairah’s most popular beach – the Khorfakkan Beach is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Fujairah. This recreational activity allows us to take a look at the beautiful coastline and the rocky mountains from a birds eye of view.
12. Snorkeling at Snoopy Island, Fujairah
Snorkeling around the waters of Snoopy Island is one-of-the-kind things to do in Fujairah if you love sea waters. This island is named after the comic character “Snoopy” since it resembles the shape of Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse.
Snoopy island is home to a variety of marine life which will dazzle around as you explore the sea. This island can be accessed easily from the shores of Sandy Beach.
You can also go Scuba-diving, Kayaking, Banana Boating, or rent a paddleboard in Snoopy Island depending upon your preference.
