Where Mountains Meet the Gulf of Oman
Fujairah is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and the only one with a coastline entirely on the Gulf of Oman, on the country's east coast. Rugged Hajar Mountains rise directly behind the shore, creating a landscape of rock, wadis and palm groves that looks quite different from the dunes and skylines of the west. The result is a destination of unusual variety, where a morning in the mountains and an afternoon on a quiet beach sit comfortably within the same day.
History is visible here. Al Bidyah Mosque, a small whitewashed building commonly cited as one of the oldest in the country, sits against the hills near the coast, and Fujairah Fort, restored in the old town, looks over date palms and the surrounding valley. The Heritage Village adds a traditional feel with crafts and old-style houses. Compared with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Fujairah is quieter and greener, and its warm, unhurried welcome is a large part of its appeal.
Reefs, Wadis and Mountain Villages
The sea is Fujairah's great asset. Snoopy Island, a rock outcrop off Sandy Beach near Dibba, is a favourite for snorkelling and diving, with coral and tropical fish close to shore, and the east coast has long been associated with sheltered dive sites. Kayak tours, boat trips and dolphin sightings add to the choice, and the beaches around Al Aqah and Dibba are wide, clear and calm, backed by the mountain profile that makes this coast so photogenic.
Inland, Wadi Wurayah National Park protects freshwater pools and waterfalls rare in the region, and mountain roads link villages such as Masafi, known for its Friday market of fruit, plants and carpets. Cooler mountain air makes hiking a pleasure in the cooler months. A tourist board can use this contrast of coast and highland to broaden any Emirates itinerary, and nearby Sharjah extends the story with its own east coast enclaves of Khor Fakkan and Kalba.
Read the full Fujairah guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitFujairah.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.