Once again the weekend is fast coming up. Now that temperatures across the UAE are becoming more comfortable it is time to make a road trip and hit the beach. Fujairah can easily be a day trip or a weekender.
My preferred Fujairah trip encompasses most of the Emirate of Fujairah not just the city of Fujairah. Usually we head out in the wee hours of the morning and drive towards Dibba/Al Aqah, which is well known for its snorkeling and diving around both Snoopy Island and Dibba Rock.
The above map may or may not show (I err on the side of may not) my usual "trip to Fujairah" driving pattern. Basically we take the E88 towards Fujairah and once in Masafi take the E89 to Dibba which then magically turns into the E99, towards Al Aqah.
Before you reach Masafi you will find yourself driving past the Friday Market (there will be signs announcing it and it is open everyday, so don't let the name mislead you). Here you can pick up anything from fresh fruits, to plants, pots and carpets. Definitely take a stop here, pick up coconut juice and interact with the sellers.
If you want to dive/snorkel by Dibba Rock there are dive centres at both the Radisson Blu and the Holiday Beach Motel. I learned to dive with Blue Planet Diving (at the Holiday Beach Motel) and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. To people who have not dived before it is like being in a National Geographic documentary.
Further down the road in Al Aqah there is a wider variety of hotels like the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa Al Aqah Beach, Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort. For a lower priced hotel (and also directly across from Snoopy Island) is the Sandy Beach Hotel. There is also a open beach (without facilities) beside the Sandy Beach Hotel where people come on the weekend and set up small camps. The beaches here are sandy and the water is amazingly clear. There is a petrol station with convenience store just before the Rotana so remember to have plenty of liquids with you and snacks.
Once your beach day is done and you want to grab some lunch or and early dinner make your way to Fujairah along the E99, if you feel the need to stretch your legs or grab something to drink Khor Fakkan is a great place to stop as it is very green and has a lovely corniche.
My favourite place to eat in Fujairah is at the Hadramut Mandi Restaurant. Though it is not much to look at from the outside the food is excellent and inexpensive (a chicken mandi cost AED19, a bottle of water AED1 ... mind blown!). There are 2 private rooms and an area of the main seating section can also be curtained off. There is also the possibilities to sit at tables but if you are going to eat Mandi sit on the floor and enjoy a more authentic experience. The Hadramut Mandi Restaurant is located just before the fish market in Fujairah (at the Hilton keep going straight through the round about, do not turn left to follow the E99). Below are some pictures to show you where.
My preferred Fujairah trip encompasses most of the Emirate of Fujairah not just the city of Fujairah. Usually we head out in the wee hours of the morning and drive towards Dibba/Al Aqah, which is well known for its snorkeling and diving around both Snoopy Island and Dibba Rock.
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Before you reach Masafi you will find yourself driving past the Friday Market (there will be signs announcing it and it is open everyday, so don't let the name mislead you). Here you can pick up anything from fresh fruits, to plants, pots and carpets. Definitely take a stop here, pick up coconut juice and interact with the sellers.
If you want to dive/snorkel by Dibba Rock there are dive centres at both the Radisson Blu and the Holiday Beach Motel. I learned to dive with Blue Planet Diving (at the Holiday Beach Motel) and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. To people who have not dived before it is like being in a National Geographic documentary.
Further down the road in Al Aqah there is a wider variety of hotels like the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa Al Aqah Beach, Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort. For a lower priced hotel (and also directly across from Snoopy Island) is the Sandy Beach Hotel. There is also a open beach (without facilities) beside the Sandy Beach Hotel where people come on the weekend and set up small camps. The beaches here are sandy and the water is amazingly clear. There is a petrol station with convenience store just before the Rotana so remember to have plenty of liquids with you and snacks.
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| Looking towards Snoopy Island from the open beach |
Once your beach day is done and you want to grab some lunch or and early dinner make your way to Fujairah along the E99, if you feel the need to stretch your legs or grab something to drink Khor Fakkan is a great place to stop as it is very green and has a lovely corniche.
My favourite place to eat in Fujairah is at the Hadramut Mandi Restaurant. Though it is not much to look at from the outside the food is excellent and inexpensive (a chicken mandi cost AED19, a bottle of water AED1 ... mind blown!). There are 2 private rooms and an area of the main seating section can also be curtained off. There is also the possibilities to sit at tables but if you are going to eat Mandi sit on the floor and enjoy a more authentic experience. The Hadramut Mandi Restaurant is located just before the fish market in Fujairah (at the Hilton keep going straight through the round about, do not turn left to follow the E99). Below are some pictures to show you where.
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| Façade of the restaurant |
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| To the right is the Al Madina Supermarket |
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| Lamb and chicken mandi, ask for one rice |
Should you have space for dessert try the Kunafa, it is amazing. My friend and I shared one after our lunch/dinner and promised to come back after a walk for round two.
After such a meal it is nice to get out and enjoy a digesting walk. You can keep your car parked and less than 100 meters away is the vegetable and fish market. The fish market sells everything from shrimps to baby sharks, with a lot of flies buzzing around. Located past the fish market you will happen upon the vegetable market which sells various fresh produce in nice displays. There is also a meat market and some shops selling clothing items. In the evening it is rather quiet, if you want the hustle and bustle of market life check it out on Friday mornings.
For the way back to Dubai drive towards the vegetable market and head right at the round about onto the E89. If you want some shisha and sweets (or another meal, I won't judge) before you head back to Dubai check out the Al Meshwar Restaurant. It is a Lebanese restaurant that has both indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive shisha collection, grill and desserts. From the outside it looks like ruins (take the exit from E89 that is by the KFC).
If you just want to head home follow the E89 until it becomes E84 (direction Dubai). The E84 will eventually become the E102 which you can follow to the E611 (the old Dubai Bypass Road).
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