Kalba, Sharjah

Kalba is a city located in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), situated on the eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman. It is located 120km east of Sharjah and approximately 12 km south of Fujairah city. It is an exclave of Sharjah, bordering the city of Fujairah to the north and it borders Oman to the south. Kalba shares a beach strip with Fujairah and is connected to it by the Rugaylat Road (E99).

Kalba is home to Khor Kalba, a significant nature reserve featuring mangrove swamps that provide a habitat for diverse wildlife. This area has been developed into an eco-tourism resort by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), attracting conservationists and eco-tourists alike.

• The city of Sharjah on the eastern coast
• Known for its rich history and natural beauty
• Best known for ecotourism
• Mangroves, beaches, heritage sites
• Many development projects are underway

Kalba Sharjah location is largely dominant in villas with a few apartment buildings. Its location on the eastern coast renders it close to the Gulf of Oman. Many communities and sub-communities exist in the city, each with its complete set of amenities. Parks, schools and recreational spaces especially for ecotourism are abundant in the city. Utilities in properties are sourced by SEWA. The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is developing the city at a faster scale to encourage more tourists to visit the area. Kalba area is popular for its mangrove reserves and heritage sites on the western end.

Villas in Kalba area come in 3 to 6-bedroom units. These houses have master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, built-in wardrobes, a spacious hall, a maid's room with a maid's bathroom, a large kitchen, a living and dining area, spacious terrace and dedicated parking spaces.  

There are also a few residential plots for sale in Kalba spanning from 2,907 sq. ft. to 9,052 sq. ft. The price range for these plots are AED 450k to AED 460k.

Kalba Kingfisher Lodge is the only hotel that exists within the boundaries of Kalba. It is a 5-star tented camp that ranks as one of the best hotels in Sharjah. Also known as Mysk Kingfisher Retreat, the resort offers from 1-bed to 3-bed tents along with facilities such as a garden, a private beach area, a restaurant and other hotel amenities.

The villas have their own garages where residents can park up to two vehicles. Visitors can utilise street parking, which is abundant in the city. The city also has many parking lots at every other corner.

Public transportation near Kalba area include taxis and buses. Most of the residents tend to rely on their own private vehicles for their everyday commute.

You can catch bus E700 from Fujairah, Etisalat 1 & 2 bus stops, Fujairah Bus Station and Fujairah, Ajman University 1 & 2 bus stops. These bus stations are located in Fujairah city at an 18 to 21-minute drive.

A number of convenience stores, baqalas and supermarkets are dotted all over the city. Some of these supermarkets in Kalba include Al Wahda Supermarket, Sajidha Supermarket, Amwaj Grocery Kalba, Naseeb Supermarket, Al Oud Supermarket, Star Supermarket, Zainab Supermarket, Al Nawras Supermarket, Al Rafeef Supermarket, Al Rawabi Supermarket, Al Bukhari Supermarket, Mafraq Al Tharif Supermarket, Al Yamahi Supermarket, Calicut Supermarket, Holland Supermarket and Sun Set Supermarket. These are accessible at 2 to 4-minute drive away.

Sharjah Cooperative Society is one of Sharjah’s best supermarkets and has multiple branches all over the emirate. Al Safeer Centre is a hypermarket while ADNOC Oasis is a chain of convenience stores in the UAE.

To purchase from international supermarkets such as Carrefour, you can head over to Fujairah City and find Carrefour Hypermarkets in the malls.

Muslims can visit any of the mosques in Kalba for daily prayers and spiritual healing. 

Some of these include Al Bara'a bin Malek Mosque, Abdul Rahman ibn Awf Mosque, Al Musalla Mosque, Al Khulafa'a Al Rashideen Mosque, Aisha bint Abi Bakr Mosque and Ibrahim Al Khalil Mosque.

St. Peter's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and CSI Church are the two churches located in Al Hail Industrial, Fujairah at a 17-minute drive away.

Nurseries in Kalba Sharjah are:

• Kalba Kindergarten
• Kiddy British Nursery

Kalba also features some government and public schools that follow the curriculum of the Ministry of Education (MOE). These include:

• English School of Kalba
• American School of Kalba
• Al Sahel Private School

English School of Kalba offers classes from the Foundation Stage to Year 12 based on the British curriculum along with guidelines of the Ministry of Education. These guidelines are followed for Arabic (language), Arabic Social Studies and Islamic Studies (for Muslim children) and Moral Education.

American School of Kalba is a private school that offers the American Common Core Curriculum. It caters to the needs of children aged 11 to 18 years old and offers classes from Grade 6 to Grade 12.

Fatima Bint Abdul Malik Primary School, Jameelah Girls School of Secondary Education and Al-Sedrah School For Basic Education are also present in the vicinity.

Kalba is also home to a branch of the University of Sharjah. It is an Emirati non-profit university established by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qassimi in the year 1997.  The university offers education in a number of disciplines, including engineering, medicine, humanities, social sciences, health sciences, computer science, IT and fine arts.

Residents can avail medical care at the clinics and hospitals in Kalba. These include:

• Kalba Hospital
• Thumbay Clinic 
• Al Kalbawi Dental Clinic

Kalba Hospital is one of the most well-known government hospitals in Sharjah. It stands on two floors and covers an area of 14,500 square metres. The 85-bed hospital consists of a helipad as well for catering to air medical services. Thumbay Clinic is one of the best clinics in Sharjah. It has three branches in the emirate of Sharjah and offers laboratory facilities and advanced medical care. There is an Al Kalbawi Dental Clinic in the area that deals with dental problems.

Other medical facilities in the area are Helal Kalba Medical Centre, Camellia Medical Center and Afamia Medical Centre. There is also a vetenary clinic in the area for residents with pets.

Some of the areas near Kalba Sharjah location are:

• Fujairah city
• Sakamkam
• Al Hayl
• Wahlah

The city of Fujairah is directly located on the northern border of Kalba. The borders of the cities intersect each other, especially near the beach strip. Fujairah city is the capital of the emirate of Fujairah and is renowned for a wide variety of attractions, ranging from resorts to the Fujairah Port as well.

Sakamkam is in the north of the city of Fujairah. Best known for its archaeological finds, the settlement of the Wadi is 433 feet above sea level and houses the Sakamkam Fort in Fujairah.

Al Hayl is an old village that lies in the western suburban area of Fujairah city. It is home to the Al Hayl Castle, which was built circa 1830 and consists of the defensive fort, namely Al Hayl Fort. The area is set to feature a billion dirham construction project that will include 1,100 apartments as well as houses with all essential amenities.

Wahlah is a village in the emirate of Fujairah. It lies approximately 20 minutes from Kalba in the southeast direction and houses the Awhala Fort, also known as Wahlah Fort.

Shoppin malls in Kalba, Sharjah are:

• Kalba Shopping Centre
• Al Safeer Centre - Kalba
• Four Seasons Center
• Kalba Mall

Kalba Shopping Centre is the nearest shopping destination from the area. 

Kalba Mall is the only mall in the city and has been recently opened in 2020. Covering a built-up area of 22,804 sq. m. Kalba Mall features 38 shops as well as ten kiosks and parking spaces for 318 vehicles. Moreover, the mall consists of a sports club, cinema and an entertainment area.

Other malls near Kalba can be found in the neighbouring city of Fujairah, such as:

• City Centre Fujairah
• Fujairah Mall
• Century Mall

Each of these malls in Fujairah is reachable within a drive of 20 minutes. Fujairah Mall is spread over a floor area of 35,000 sq. m. and consists of 81 shops as well as many dining and entertainment options.

Century Mall stands on two floors and covers an area of 78,063 sq. m. Not only does it have 130 stores, but also includes an 8-screen cinema, a Carrefour Hypermarket and parking space for 1000 cars.

City Centre Fujairah houses more than 150 shopping stores. It is built over a floor area of 34,000 sq. m. and consists of a Carrefour Hypermarket, food court as well as a branch of Magic Planet and VOX Cinemas.

There are many restaurants in Kalba in each district and adjacent to the E99 highway. A few of these restaurants are:

• Kalba Restaurant – Al Khuwair
• New Kashmir Restaurant – Al Khuwair
• Al Maqnas – Suhailah
• Rehab Al Madinah – Khor Kalba
• Panorama – Khor Kalba
• Al Ahli Restaurant – Al Bateen
• Star of Kalba – Sidra

For upscale dining, you can find Belle View and Asmak in Fujairah city at a 20-minute drive. Both of these are fine dining restaurants and feature full bars too. Belle View is located in Concorde Hotel and serves International cuisine. Asmak is in Al Diar Siji Hotel and deals in Middle Eastern items especially Lebanese dishes.

The city has its own corniche area and the Kalba Beach, which stretches around seven kilometres and is situated off the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve. The beach strip between Fujairah and Kalba is a hotspot for surfers. In fact, the coastal area ranks as one of the top areas for surfing in the UAE. You can also drive a minimum of 20 minutes and access the beaches in Fujairah.

Notable landmarks in Kalba include:

• Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi
• Kalba Bird of Prey Centre
• Al Ghayl Fort
• Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre
• Al Qurm Nature Reserve

Kalba Bird of Prey Centre houses hundreds of species of giant raptor birds. Inaugurated in the year 2014, The Birds of Prey Centre offers live demonstrations as well as educational tours for children.

Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi is a popular museum in the city and in the emirate overall. You will find a number of exhibits here that include pottery, artefacts and pictures from the 19th century, which make this museum one of the heritage sites in Sharjah.

As the name suggests, the building that is now a museum, used to be a residence for Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi who was the Wali of Kalba in the 19th century. The residence opened as a museum in 1999 and now is of cultural importance in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Ghayl Fort is a hilltop fortress that dates back to the 19th century as well. It lies on the top of the hill in Kalba Bird of Prey Centre and consists of a number of weapons and tools, formerly used by earlier soldiers in the UAE. The fort has a watchtower along with two basement rooms, a toilet and a guardroom. Al Ghayl Fort is a popular observation deck too.

Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre covers around 12 sq. km of area in Khor Kalba and consists of 30 species from both the desert and the native mountains. The wildlife reserve is a development of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). In fact, most individuals seeking activities to enjoy in Fujairah also keep this conservation centre on their must-visit list. Al Qurm Nature Reserve has more than 500 hectares of protected mangroves. Situated in Khor Kalba, the reserve is home to sea turtles, mammals and many species of rare birds.

Kalba is abundant in parks and outdoor spaces, hence making it easier to refresh yourself every now and then. The best parks in Kalba are:

• Kalba Corniche Park – Khor Kalba
• Mafraq Park – Al Mafraq
• Al Sidra Park – Al Sidra
• Al Hafiya Picnic Park – Al Hafiya Nature Reserve

Kalba Corniche Park, as the name suggests, is located in the corniche area of the city, also known as Khor Kalba or Kalba Creek. Covering an area of 67,280 sq. m., the park has shaded spots, a dedicated track for jogging and walking as well as a plethora of restaurants and cafes to fulfil your appetite. The nearby Kalba Beach also serves as an attraction for those seeking a day out.

Mafraq Park covers a built-up area of 9,371 sq. m. and offers a football ground along with other recreational facilities. The park has a running track that is 3 metres wide and stretches up to 523 metres. Al Sidra Park is another small neighbourhood park.

Al Hafiya Picnic Park has been developed as a component of the Al Hafiya Nature Reserve and is part of the Kalba Ecotourism Project. The park includes children playgrounds, a ticketing office, prayer rooms for men and women, barbecue areas, fast food outlets and beverages kiosk. You can also view the animals in the protected area through the observation platform.

The weather in Kalba makes the city amongst those interested in water sports, especially kayaking in the mangroves and through the lagoons.

As far as outdoor sports are concerned, hiking at Wadi Al Helo is one of the most popular activities in the city and one of the best hikes in the UAE. You can opt for guided hiking tours with your children and enjoy 360-degree views from the top of the hills. Wildlife such as the Arabian Oryx is also visible during the hike. In fact, Wadi Al Helo hike ranks amongst the top archaeological sites in the UAE.

Fitness freaks can find Al Amalqah Gym and Fit Nation in the city. Fit Nation is a ladies-only health club. Offering a wide variety of strength-training programs to women, the gym receives a number of customers from Fujairah City too, hence rendering it one of the top gyms in Fujairah.

The Government of Sharjah organises events every now and then to keep the residents engaged throughout the year. Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club organises the Kalba Arabian Horse Festival, which occurs on Kalba Corniche.

Sharjah Light Festival takes place at the University of Sharjah every year. It is an annual arts festival held to promote the rich heritage and architectural accomplishments of the emirate.

You can also participate in the workshops and seminars held at Kalba Art Centre by finding out more from their website. Kalba Youth Centre or Kalba Youth Sports Complex organises several activities in science and technology, literature and languages, entrepreneurship, arts and sports.

The Government of Sharjah has proposed Jabal Al Kitab to be developed 950 metres above sea level in the city. The project will be connected to the city via Sharjah – Kalba Road and Wadi Al Helo tunnel. It will also link five mountain peaks and will feature 1,000 villas upon completion. Moreover, once developed, Jabal Kitab will have its own mosque, service buildings, restaurants and a 5-star hotel with 80 suites.

Shurooq has launched the Kalba Ecotourism Project, which is the largest of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. A component of this is the Kalba Waterfront Project, which will be another addition amongst Sharjah’s top waterfront properties. Most parts of the project have been completed, such as the 5-star Kingfisher Lodge, Birds of Prey Centre and Al Hafiya Park. More attractions such as eateries, markets, retail outlets, an amphitheatre and waterfront promenades are underway. The developer of this project is Eagle Hills Sharjah.

Kalba Corniche is currently undergoing up-gradation too and will consist of amenities such as pedestrian paths, beaches, jogging tracks and parking spaces as well as retail outlets and eateries. The revamp is supposed to encourage more tourists to visit the city.

Kalba is a definite choice for those who prefer living close to the eastern coast and in proximity to an eco-friendly environment. The city is not congested and offers ecotourism activities, outdoor sports, water sports and spacious residential options.

However, Emirati nationals occupy most of the city and the apartments and villas are not available much to expats. Moreover, the city does not have many urban amenities such as various malls or indoor entertainment options. These points should be kept in mind while making a move.

Kalba is located on the eastern coast of UAE, adjacent to Fujairah city.

Kalba is best known for ecotourism in the country and offers many water activities along with opportunities for picnicking and scenic tours. You can visit the Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, explore historical sites such as Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamed Al Qassimi museum and the Al Ghayl Fort or, you can indulge in kayaking at the Kalba Conservation Reserve.

The city offers a fine selection of beaches as well as desert safari tours, hiking trips, and experiences such as scuba diving and snorkelling.

The Kalba Corniche Park is gated. For fishing, you can instead head over to the Kalba Beach, which is adjacent to the park.

Dubai and Kalba are approximately 1.25 hours apart from each other by a smooth drive.

• 5-minute drive to Fujairah International Airport
• 1 hour and a 10-minute drive to the city of Sharjah
• The city of Dubai is 1 hour and 15 minutes away
• Khorfakkan is reachable within a 30-minute drive