A Guide to Khorfakkan Beach
Located on the east coast of the UAE along the Gulf of Oman, Khorfakkan is a major tourist attraction. Khorfakkan Beach is what this town is most famous for. Situated north of the town centre, Khorfakkan Beach has a thriving coral reef, which is a testament to the government’s conservation efforts. Naturally, it has become a favourite spot for marine life enthusiasts.
While this town comes under Sharjah, geographically it is surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah. So, when people are making a list of things to do in Fujairah, the gorgeous Khorfakkan beach is inevitably on it.
The Khorfakkan Container Terminal is the only natural deep-sea port of the region. Hence, if you are renting a flat in Fujairah, you would get used to watching large ships dock and sail away.
In the backdrop of the Khorfakkan Beach are the rocky Hajar Mountains. Because of natural wear and tear, these rock formations look beautiful, rustic and make for perfect photo ops. Many Instagrammers feature these stunning locales on their feeds, but seeing them up close is a whole different experience.
Things to do at Khorfakkan Beach
There are a variety of activities to try at Khorfakkan Beach. The many small islands in the region, make it ideal for diving, snorkelling and other water sports. You can pre-book the whole experience with touring companies like Adventure Sports, 7 Seas Divers or Hydro Water Sports.
From Khorfakkan Beach, you can also rent a small boat to get to the different islands. Local vendors offer snorkels, fins and masks on rent. You can ask the vendors information about Khorfakkan Beach as well. They are always friendly towards tourists.
There are many smaller islands and ocean spots famous for diving and snorkelling. Marine life patterns can be predicted based on prior behaviour. So, if you ask the local experts in the area, they can advise you where you are likely to encounter a certain type of fish, ray, turtle etc. Also, due to the depth and difficulty of navigation, your skills as a diver can also be tested.
Diving and snorkelling spots off the Khorfakkan beach
There are several places where you can snorkel and dive in Khorfakkan. All the companies offering such tours and activities need to registered and certified, so make sure you only choose reliable companies. Here are some of the best places to try these water sports in Khorfakkan.
1. Shark Island
Most people would give snorkelling in Shark island a hard pass, just because of the name. But there have been zero shark attacks here. You will, however, to able to see blacktip reef sharks on the eastern end of the Island, especially from November to April. Rest assured though, you are always at a safe distance from the sharks. Nothing close to Steven Speilberg’s iconic ‘JAWS’ has ever happened on this gorgeous island. Thankfully, they have a lot of other prey to feed on.
Small fish and sea turtles can come quite close when you snorkel here. Just let them be.
If you are a diver, Khorfakkan is a great place to enjoy the rich variety of marine life. The seabed is visible, which is why this is one of the most popular things to do near Khorfakkan beach. These rock formations are home to rays, moray eels and Arabian angelfish. If you spend hours marvelling at the work done by NatGeo, this would be your chance to live that experience.
2. Dibba Island
Dibba Island is popular amongst snorkelers and divers because you will find marine life thriving here all year round. This rocky island and shallow waters are home to turtles, jawfish, batfish, clownfish and a variety of soft and boulder corals.
3. Coral Gardens
Crocodile fish and guitar sharks have made the Coral Gardens their home. It is perhaps time to buy a waterproof camera. A selfie with a crocodile fish would be awesome, wouldn’t it?
4. Anemone Gardens
Towards the northeast of Shark Island is Anemone Garden. The depth of water is little more than 20 metres in this popular snorkelling spot near Khorfakkan beach. Jacks and juvenile barracudas, and shy seahorses will welcome you here. Don’t stay underwater for too long. These beautiful creatures are often shy and you might scare them away.
5. Car Cemetery
Even if you are an experienced diver, Car Cemetery will test your skills. Visibility is low, so often fearful animals hide here. However, if you overcome the challenge, you might find exotic marine animals in this dingy, yet exciting place.
Parasailing Ride at Fujairah Khorfakkan Beach
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Khorfakkan Beach is parasailing. Not many beaches have parasailing facilities. At Fujairah Khorfakkan Beach, you can have an experience of a lifetime at a relatively reasonable price. Many online sellers like Cobone sell coupons for such activities. It all about getting your money’s worth.
- Parasailing ride at Khorfakkan Beach ticket: AED 135 (1 person) – (249 for two people)
- Parasailing duration: 8-10 minutes
- Life jacket rental cost included in the ticket price
- Age restriction: 5 years and above
Timings
Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Playgrounds for Children
There are purpose-built playgrounds for children. These grounds are surrounded by palm trees so, sunlight only filters through. Hence, children can spend hours there trying to emulate their footballing heroes. If your child is a fan of Ronaldo or Messi, he wouldn’t want to leave the field until he or she scores a few dozen goals. This is one of the most family-friendly activities in Khorfakkan, that you should definitely not miss out on. While the kids frolic around, you can have a sunbath on the sandy beach and work on that tan. Don’t forget to pack your sunblock though!
Accommodation near Khorfakkan Beach
The many hotels in Fujairah will be ideal for those looking for places to stay near Khorfakkan. Here are some of the popular hotels in Khorfakkan.
Oceanic Resort and Spa Khorfakkan
A small picnic with your family on a secluded beach, as the sun sets in the background behind the Hajjar mountains; sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Oceanic Resort and Spa offers this and more. A 4-star hotel, with 177 guest rooms and lavish suites, Oceanic Hotel Khorfakkan is the perfect getaway for you and your family.
A temperature controlled swimming pool gives you a chance to prepare for a swim in the ocean. Or if you are through with the beach related activity, a match of tennis or volleyball could be a welcome break. And just before you want to call it a night, stroll down to the spa and sauna. This will definitely help you get a good night’s sleep.
- Room rents starting from 400 AED
- Contact: +971-0-92385111
Restaurants at the Oceanic Hotel Khorfakkan
- Al Murjan – International Menu
- Cafe Oceanic – Coffee, snacks, pastries, etc.
- Bab Al Bahr – Seafood Restaurant
- The Ocean Wok – Chinese Menu
- Al Diwan – Coffee, snacks, pastries, etc.
- Amwaj Pool – Bar
Raynor Hotel Apartments
Raynor Hotel Apartments is about 15 minutes’ drive from the beach. With a customer-oriented culture, hotel management is focused on delivering a wonderful experience for guests. There is an in-house buffet during lunch and dinner.
- Room rent starting from 140 AED
- Contact: +971-9-2361116
Restaurants near Khorfakkan Beach
- Rebou Restaurant – Lebanese Menu
- Majestic Restaurant – Indian Menu
- New Calicut Restaurant – Indian Menu
All you need to know before you start your journey to Khorfakkan Beach
How far is Khorfakkan from Dubai?
By road, the distance between Dubai and Khorfakkan is 163.1 km.
Whereas, it is 127 km from Sharjah and 270.1 km from Abu Dhabi.
How to get to Khorfakkan from Dubai?
There are multiple transport options to pick from. You can drive there, take a taxi, or use the bus. The most preferred option is to drive your own car as there is limited public transport in Khorfakkan.
How long will it take to drive from Dubai to Khorfakkan?
Thanks to a recently constructed tunnel, it will take you around 2 hours.
If you take a taxi to Khorfakkan from Dubai, it can cost you anywhere between AED 300 to 350. It would depend on congestions etc.
Can I use the metro or bus to go to Khorfakkan from Dubai?
Yes. You can use the Dubai metro to get to the bus station in Al Fahidi. After this you can travel on the bus to Khorfakkan via Fujairah. After reaching Fujairah, you will need to take a taxi to get to Khorfakkan. It would take 3 hours and cost around AED 100-115.
What are the interesting things to do in Khorfakkan?
Being a beach, water sports activities are the most popular in Khorfakkan. Visitors can also visit Al Badiyah Mosque which is a short drive away and check out the relaxing spas in the Fujairah hotels.
As you can see, Khorfakkan beach is all about marine life. If you enjoy such activities, check out our detailed guide to watersports in the UAE.
