Sitting on the UAE’s only slice of the Gulf of Oman coast, Fujairah is a rising star in the country’s tourist firmament. While this city-and-emirate will win few prizes for its architectural beauty, it pulls plenty of drawcards from its sun-drenched sleeve. Here, a 43-mile (70-kilometer) chain of quiet sands lures beach aficionados, rich marine sites beckon snorkelers and divers, and idyllic wadis and peaks attract adventure lovers into the ragged Al Hajar mountains behind the city. Count up all these attractions and things to do, and Fujairah is rich in east-coast promise.
Although its climate is cooler than the UAE’s Persian Gulf coast, Fujairah still has scorching summers, with average July highs hitting 105°F (41°C). Consequently, visitors mostly land here between November and April when temperatures are a much more bearable 77°F (25°C), and the seas are wonderfully warm for scuba and snorkeling. Winter also sees Fujairah dial up the fun, especially at New Year when its hotels stage gala events and its Umbrella Beach hosts fireworks displays.
Fujairah’s public bus network is sparse. With no other public transport available, you’ll need to hire taxis or self-drive vehicles to get around, especially as the city’s sights are widely dispersed. Luckily, car rental offices are easy to find, and cabs are plentiful day and night—and metered, so you won’t need to worry about haggling. The heat makes walking uncomfortable, too, especially during the middle part of the day.
Swap the hotel lunch buffet for a rustic oyster feast at the rustic-looking Dibba Bay Farm Shop in Dibba Bay, about an hour’s drive north of central Fujairah. Admire the mountain scenery along the coastal road, and sit outdoors as you slurp platters of freshly shucked oysters doused in lemon and vinaigrette. Grown in the fresh ocean currents of the company’s nearby farm, they’re a real taste of the open sea.
