Let’s read about things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah and know about places to visit in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah, UAE. Facing the Gulf of Oman and nestled between the Hajar mountains, this area is worth visiting for nature lovers.
Khor Fakkan, a coastal town of Sharjah Emirates, is located on the east coast of UAE with a stunning landscape. The rugged mountainscape, curved beaches, and small rocky islands make this place worth visiting, and it is considered a perfect getaway from Dubai. To avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, many people from nearby Emirates visit Khor Fakkan to enjoy serene nature. Not only nature but also many architectural and heritage beauties here. Nestled between Dibba and Fujairah, you can also cover significant attractions of Al Aqah, Dibba, and Fujairah. Khor Fakkan’s visit can be done as a day trip from Dubai or as a weekend staycation.
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Khor Fakkan is blessed with nature’s beauty and has a long history of human settlement since the Iron age. There are many watchtowers built in the 15th century to the 16th century here on mountaintops to keep an eye on invaders. Now let’s plan what places to visit in Khor Fakkan and Fujairah on a weekend getaway in UAE.
How to reach Khor Fakkan ? – Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
Distance of Khor Fakkan from Dubai – 130 – 135 km. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Khor Fakkan through a newly built highway with 5 to 6 mountain tunnels.
Distance of Khor Fakkan from Sharjah – 109 – 110 km via Khor Fakkan Road.
Distance of Khor Fakkan from Fujairah – 40 to 60 km
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Many people cover Khor Fakkan while visiting Fujairah for a weekend staycation. There are many luxurious staycation resorts in and around Khor Fakkan. Khor Fakkan is an amazing option for people visiting Fujairah on staycation or for those who are planning weekend day trips/getaways from nearby Emirates.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KHOR FAKKAN – Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
- October to February is the best time to visit Khor Fakkan, as you can find perfect blue water, blue sky, and cooler weather. Due to the rocky mountains, afternoons are very hot. The lowest temperature here goes up to 18 deg Celsius during peak winter months.
- September, March & April are shoulder seasons to visit this place, and in these months, you can enjoy this place in the early mornings and later afternoons.
- May to August is very hot, with the temperature reaching 40 deg Celsius and more. Nights during these months are also warm and humid.
Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
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IN KHOR FAKKAN TOWN
Al Rafisah Dam
Heading toward Khorfakkan on the new Sharjah – Khorfakkan highway, you can view the beautiful Al Rafisah Dam. Though it was built in the 1980s, the dam got refurbished with a new visitor center and rest area and now attracts many tourists. Here you can enjoy the serene nature where a large, clear lake with boating facilities is surrounded by the magnificent Hajar mountains. This stunning landscape is formed with the sandstone mountain range overlooking a pure azure water reservoir with a tranquil green landscape, perfect for nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts.
You can go for pedal and rowing boats and have snacks overlooking the dam.
TIP – The ticket window closes in the evening at 6:00 (can change as per sunset) sharp; after that, nobody is allowed to go boating.
Take a Boat ride to Snoopy Island & Shark Island
From the Khorfakkan public beach, you can spot a small rocky island, an underwater marvel for those who enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming. Divers can spot underwater beautiful rock formations teeming with moray eels, rays, and Arabian angelfish.
As a family with children, choosing a nearby diving center for guides to the island is highly recommended. You can easily rent equipment for a dive or fins, snorkels, and masks for snorkeling. You will find many local boats taking you to round trips of Snoopy and Shark island. Also, nearby luxury staycation resorts provide boat trips to these islands.
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Snoopy Island got its name because of the shape of the rock, as it looks like Snoopy lying down.
Hiking at Al Rawi Tower
Hike to the top of Al Rabi tower to have stunning views of the coastal town – of Khor Fakkan on one side and the Gulf of Oman on the other. Take a panoramic view of the whole area with a rugged mountainscape and curved beach. Graded as a beginner-level hike, this trail is a favorite among adventure & nature lovers of various age groups. It is one of a few UAE hiking trails located in Khor Fakkan and closer to Fujairah.
Khor Fakkan Amphitheater
Enjoy the marvelous and grand architecture of the impressive Khorfakkan Amphitheatre. Inspired by Roman architecture, this newly built architecture is now become a new iconic landmark of this area. This amphitheater covers over 1700m2 and can accommodate over 3500 spectators.
It was designed with a state-of-the-art cooling system, making it the ideal outdoor venue for upcoming events. Big Bus Sharjah, to stop here. There is huge car parking on the opposite side of the road as this amphitheater faces the beach on the other side.
Khor Fakkan Waterfall
A magnificent 45m-high waterfall cascades down next to the amphitheater from the top of a natural rocky mountain. Although the waterfall is man-made, it was carved out of natural rock and is illuminated at night. Both the amphitheater and waterfall face Khorfakkan’s shimmering bay, so visitors can enjoy a wander along the beach before enjoying a spectacular show.
Khor Fakkan Beach
The sandy Khor Fakkan beach is also a perfect spot for a picnic. Enjoy the best of Sharjah weather on this island, where there are plenty of things to do with kids and adults. The uniqueness of this beach is that the beach is curved, and you can spot many rock formations. The rugged coastline is very photogenic here.
NEARBY KHOR FAKKAN – THINGS TO DO IN AL AQAH, DIBBA, FUJAIRAH
Al Aqah and Dibba are Fujairah Emirate’s neighborhoods with stunning coastlines and a rugged rocky mountainscape. The distance between Al Aqah and Dibba from Khor Fakkan is approximately 40 to 60 km.
Al Bidya Mosque
About 40 kilometers from Khor Fakkan, towards Dibba direction you can find the mud-brick Al-Bidyah Mosque across the main highway. It is the oldest in the United Arab Emirates and was named after the town that once surrounded it. Said to be built in 1446 A.D., its engineering features are a significant accomplishment for the period of construction. The mosque consists of a prayer hall decorated with arches featuring ventilation openings and a mihrab.
This historical site also dates back to the Iron age – an ancient era. The surrounding area of the mosque has been excavated to reveal that it has been inhabited for 4,000 years. After excavation, many things were unearthed and proved fragments of pottery, metal arrowheads, and other artifacts dating back to at least 1000 BC.
Car Museum, Al Aqah, Fujairah
On the main highway of Khor Fakkan towards the Dibba side, there is an antique car museum in the heritage village area with a collection of more than 40 vintage cars. Take a view of the 1920s to 1980’s collection of luxury cars like Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Land Rover, Range Rover, and many more.
Not only car collection, but you can also have a look at currencies all around the world with many historical exhibits. If you are staying at luxury resorts of Le Meridian, Al Aqah, Intercontinental Fujairah, Rotana Al Aqah, Miramar Al Aqah, then this car museum is exactly the opposite side of the road.
Heritage Village, Al Aqah, Fujairah
Located beside Car Museum, this heritage and historical neighborhood exhibits local archaeological finds and the traditional way of life historically in Fujairah in particular and the UAE in general. Within the museum, the first exhibit hall displays heritage objects related to traditional local occupations such as agriculture, fishing, pottery, trade, and weaving.
A second hall on heritage displays ancient weapons, various costumes, and utensils. A different hall has displays, including a spice shop and souq. The collections include archaeological finds from tombs at Al Badiyah, Dibba Al-Fujairah, and Qidfa’, with objects such as arrowheads, carnelian beads, and vessels. The whole area transports you to the ancient era of this place and depicts how people used to live, their housing, and other useful lifestyle stuff.
Camping on Al Aqah Beach
Nearby Rotana Al Aqah Beach Resort is a secluded public beach where people take their RV’s and cars and do overnight camping. The beach is peaceful and away from the city’s hustle and bustle, but you need to carry all your camping gear with you. Campers and nature lovers love this region, and camping here tops the list of Best Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah.
Staycation at Luxury Resorts – Best Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
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Book your stay along the Gulf of Oman at the luxury resorts of Al Aqah beach, with rugged mountain terrain on one side and sandy beaches on the other side. There are many luxury resorts on this coastline with high-class amenities. They are all in a serene location with perfect views of mountains and sea. Plan your weekend before so you can choose your preferred choice, as most of these resorts are fully booked on weekends and public holidays.
USEFUL TIPS – Best Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
- If you are planning a day trip from Dubai, plan early as there are so many things to do here.
- There are many luxury beach resorts here with a view of mountains or the ocean, so it is great to have a staycation for a couple of days.
- Plan your trip during the cooler time of the day, as there are many outdoor activities.
- You are going to the interiors of UAE, so you may not find branded food outlets frequently, but at gas stations, there are many eat-outs.
- Beachwear is allowed only on beaches.
- If you are going hiking then take along a trainer or expert with you. Don’t try to hike in mountains without any previous hiking experience.
- Respect local traditions as per the land of law.
- Don’t litter the mountains while hiking or camping at the beach.
- Khor Fakkan of Sharjah and Al Aqah of Fujairah are adjoining neighborhoods, so both can be done during your staycation either at Khor Fakkan or at Al Aqah beach resorts.
I hope you loved reading about Best Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah and would surely plan nature day trips from Dubai in UAE.
KHORFAKKAN VIDEO TOUR – Best Things to do in Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah
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Historical areas, natural wonders and hiking – wow Khor Fakkan and al aqah is definitely the kind of place we would love to visit. Those brown dry mountains look stunning, kind of reminds us of our trek in Crete where we witnessed such kind of scenes with the waters beyond. It was also historical. We can just imagine going here, learning about the rich culture and seeing more offbeat destinations in UAE.
Historical areas, natural wonders and hiking – wow Khor Fakkan and al aqah is definitely the kind of place we would love to visit. Those brown dry mountains look stunning, kind of reminds us of our trek in Crete where we witnessed such kind of scenes with the waters beyond. It was also historical. We can just imagine going here, learning about the rich culture and seeing more offbeat destinations in UAE.
As the owner of a dog named Snoopy, a visit to Snoopy Island will be a must when I get a chance to visit Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah areas. The heritage village in Al Arqah also interest me as I like learning about history and tradition of new places. And I think it will be a cool experience to camp out on Al Aqah Beach.
Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah sound like fun! I have been to Fujeirah but don’t recall stopping at Khorfakkan. That image of the city taken on your hike looks stunning! Apart from the water activities and the mountains, it is interesting that there is a vintage car museum. Al Rafisah Dam and the pedal boats are an added attraction indeed. 🙂
This is such a detailed guide to Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah. Amazing set of pictures. I have never been to UAE but it is on my list. Would love to explore it in the near future.
Wow, Khor Fakkan looks like another planet with the brown mountains & rocks! I’d love to do all the water sports such as snorkeling and boating. Curious about why Shark Island is named that… perhaps an abundance of sharks??
Yes you can spot some sharks and marine life when you visit there with professional boat tour
I don’t know much about this destination, but you’ve convinced me to add it to my list. I would love to travel there during the October to February timeframe to escape Canada’s winter and enjoy the 18 degrees weather. That’s a great tip you shared about the boat rental to watch the sunset. It sounds like the best experience.
Love the history and landscapes + beaches in this place. I’ve never heard of Khor Fakkan but it looks like the kinda place which has everything we love. Nature, city and beach. Thanks for the tips, will definitely include it in our UAE bucket list.
I actually learnt about Khor Fakkan by reading your post. Had never heard about it before. The dam looks so inviting. Would include whenever we head to Dubai.
I had not heard of Al Rafisah Dam or any of these places. I had visited Sharjah only for the cricket stadium and I had no idea about these places Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah. I wish I had known them so I could have spared another day to travel to these places. May be something for my next visit.
I had never heard of Khor Fakkan before, but will definitely add this to my Dubai itinerary when I finally get a chance to go there. From your pictures, I’m in love with Al Rafisah Dam. The emerald water coupled with the surrounding hills make for a scenic landscape. I would love to go kayaking or paddle boarding there.
Interesting to know about it Khor Fakkan. To be honest, I haven’t heard of this place until I read your article, and it’s good to know that it’s nearby Dubai and you put a lot of excellent information and tips, this is indeed beneficial for people who plan to see this place but have no idea where to start. A good example is me! And, Al Rafisah Dam is I think a spot where I could go and see while admiring the beauty of the magnificent mountains as I’m in love with watching mountains myself.
Yes during this pandemic time, many backyard hidden gems are catching attention. Nowadays I am searching all those secret gems near Dubai. Thanks for reading.
OMG…Khor Fakkan has developed so much. I only recall it as a place with pretty beach – one where you could find conch shells. Of course, that was quite a decade back. Now to see the islands and the dam and even the heritage village. Amazing. I even loved the Amphi theatre – so classy. Thanks for bring this to me.
I love that it has such a deep, longstanding history, and I would really enjoy seeing one (or several!) of the watchtowers. The scenery and waterfall are also gorgeous. I do hope to visit there one day!
I have never been to this side of UAE but I love the idea of taking a boat ride to Snoopy Island and Shark Island. The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre looks stunning from the photo and it would ne nice to see this iconic landmark personally as well. Thank you for sharing this.
I hadn’t heard of this place before reading your post, but it looks like a lovely place to take some photos and I love the scenery here!
Such useful information! I’ve been wanting to travel to Dubai and this seems like a great day trip. Thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks for reading through
This sounds like a great day trip from Dubai! I love that manmade waterfall — how impressive! And the scenery looks gorgeous!
Thanks for loving it and yes nearby Dubai there are many natural wonders.
This was an informative blog Yukti. I haven’t been to Dubai yet, but is it safe to travel and explore Dubai Solo?
Dubai is most safest place in the world to travel solo. I can vouch for it. Here the beauty of this place is safety.
Okay Yukti, thanks for the information 😊.