Fujairah

Often overlooked as just a thriving business centre, Fujairah can be the ideal base from which to explore the nearby cultural wonders of Sharjah and the striking modern marvels and shopping lifestyle of Dubai, which thanks to the Sheikh Khalifa highway is only 40 minutes away. On top of these you can bask on the soft golden sands of the Gulf of Oman at any of Fujairah's luxurious beach resorts in Dibba. Do you really need more to entice you there?
 

Introducing Fujairah

The only one of all United Arab Emirates to feature a coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman and not on the Persian Gulf, the tiny emirate of Fujairah might be one of the smallest but it caters well to visitors with a host of attractions that extend well beyond the beaches.
Many might overlook this as an attractive holiday destination and disregard it as the U.A.E.'s business and commercial hub with office buildings lining the city's main strip at Hama bin Abdullah Road. Yet Fujairah has a blessed waterfront with immaculate beaches plus a host of interesting sightseeing venues and entertainment pursuits for all ages to enjoy.
 

Beach breaks and escapes

With the magnificent backdrop of the giant Hajar mountains sloping down to natural beaches of pale glistening sand, Fujairah has the most picturesque coastline in the UAE. Warm year-round temperatures and calm waters add to the region's appeal for sun-and-sand seekers, and a host of attractive luxury and midrange hotels are spaced out along the beaches of Al Aqah and Dibba to the north of the emirate.
 

Al Aqah beach

A wide swath of glittering sand washed by the calm opalescent waters of the Gulf of Oman, Al Aqah beach is overlooked by the rugged Hajar mountains and makes an ideal setting for a relaxing break. In a peaceful location between Fujairah City and Dibba, it's also within easy reach of the emirate's main attractions. There are plenty of aquatic activities to enjoy here too, not least snorkelling among the schools of subtropical fish that surround Snoopy Island just offshore.
An affordable resort with excellent facilities, the low-rise Sandy Beach Hotel has a more traditional air than the area's other accommodation options, and sits on the sand opposite Snoopy Island. But the five-star Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach will suit those who prefer the glamorous architectural hotels of Dubai and want an all-inclusive resort with all the bells and whistles. Rising in the shadow of the mountains, it has several dining options and there are a range of watersports available to guests.
An atmospheric, village-style resort studded with palms, the Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort is another great option set right on Al Aqah's creamy sands. While the Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa is another attractive high-end option with a rustic restaurant, cabanas and suites taking full advantage of the beachside setting. The hotel also organises desert safaris into Fujairah's stunning wadis and traditional dhow boat cruises along the renowned emerald coast of the Musandam Peninsula.
 

Dibba

At the northern end of Fujairah's coastline, Dibba beach is considered one of the best in the UAE and is flanked by a series of smart hotels and luxury resorts. The town of Dibba a-Fujairah itself is one of the region's largest, where you can find cafes and shops. Owing to the high Hajar mountains, the area is said to have the most favourable climate in the emirates.
Sailing, snorkelling and watersports are Dibba's most popular activities with facilities and equipment available at hotels such as the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah. Set in a sandy enclave below steep cliffs, the Radisson has a prime oceanfront position and its own dive centre and aqua-sports facilities, so you can enjoy all the beautiful Gulf of Oman has to offer.