The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a rich and vibrant nation that travelers want to visit or revisit. With its rich culture and history, impressive architecture, luxurious lifestyle, and exciting activities, the UAE is a great destination to explore. If you want to stray from the usual tourist trails, Fujairah is a perfect choice.
Fujairah, located on the Gulf of Oman is home to undulating mountains and beautiful beaches. With a perfect harmony of culture, history, landscapes, and seascapes, this lesser-known emirate might just be the adventure that you’re looking for. Here are top three reasons why Fujairah is worth visiting.
Stunning beaches
Fujairah has some of the most beautiful beaches in the UAE where you can relax and de-stress. Imagine the sun on your skin, the sound of the waves, the soft sand under your feet, and the smell of clean air. The blend of these elements makes the beach a perfect place to forget about your worries and simply enjoy the moment. Some of the popular beaches in Fujairah include Dibba Beach, Sandy Beach, Al Aqah Beach, Umbrella Beach, Khorfakkan Beach, and Qidfa Beach.
Amazing dive spots and biodiversity
The waters off the coast of Fujairah are a diver’s paradise and home to a variety of coral reefs and marine life, including colorful fish, turtles, rays, moray eels, and pelagic species. If you’re fascinated by the beauty of tiny creatures, you can come across macro wonders including nudibranchs, gobies, and pipefish during your scuba diving Fujairah. Here are some notable dive spots in Fujairah:
- Dibba Rock – This site is located off the coast of Dibba and is one of the most popular diving spots in Fujairah. It is home to a variety of marine life, including Green turtles and black-tipped reef sharks.
- Sharm Rock – Also known as “3 Rocks Pinnacles” and “3 Sisters”, this dive site is covered in soft corals which serve as a haven for a wide variety of fish. Deep divers can encounter snappers, fusiliers, mackerel, and shoals of jacks. You can also come across squid, cuttlefish, turtles, and stingrays.
- Martini Rock – This popular dive spot got its name from the rocky pinnacles shaped like a martini glass on its side. The area has sandy gullies and orange soft corals highlighted by purple and bright yellow soft corals. Some of the common marine life sightings in the area include lionfish, parrotfish, snappers, fusiliers, and broomtail wrasse. Underwater photographers can take advantage of the site’s abundant macro life.
- Snoopy Island – This dive site is named after Snoopy, the adorable beagle character in the comic strip “Peanuts”. The rock formations look like Snoopy sleeping on top of his doghouse. Snoopy Island offers one of the best scuba diving Fujairah experiences where you can encounter a myriad of fish such as angelfish, parrotfish, boxfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish, cardinal fish, and more. You can also spot turtles and rays.
Fascinating heritage sites
Visiting heritage sites is a great way to learn about Fujairah’s history and culture. Some of the notable cultural treasures and landmarks worth visiting are:
- Fujairah Fort – Built in the 15th century, this fort is one of the oldest historical sites in Fujairah. The fort is now a museum that exhibits a collection of artifacts including weapons, tools, and pottery.
- Fujairah Museum – This local history museum is located south of Fujairah Fort. It comprises three halls that showcase unique archaeological exhibits such as weapons, utensils, pottery, pre-Islamic silver coins, and other artifacts.
- Al Bidya Mosque – This mosque is believed to be the oldest mosque in the UAE, dating back to the 14th century. This mud-brick structure with a square minaret is still in use today and is a popular pilgrimage site for Muslims.
- Bithnah Fort – Built in the 18th century, this fort nestled in the village of Bithnah is a well-preserved example of traditional Emirati architecture. It offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The fort is now a museum that houses a collection of artifacts.
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque – This stunning mosque is a cultural haven that features stunning marbled halls and the world’s largest hand-knotted prayer hall carpet.
- Al Hayl Castle – This castle is located southwest of Fujairah City. Built around 1830, the Al Hayl Castle is an example of traditional Arabian architecture. The site consists of a residential compound with a defensive fort called Al Hayl Fort.
Come and Visit Fujairah
With a wealth of attractions, including stunning beaches, amazing dive spots and biodiversity, and fascinating heritage sites, Fujairah is perfect for your next holiday. So what are you waiting for? Come and visit Fujairah and enjoy its rich culture, history, and natural wonders.