Khorfakkan is a small city in Sharjah. It is a little gem on the Sea of Oman known for its fertile land, the only natural deep seaport, and the very famous Hajar Mountains. I will take you on a tour to Khorfakkan from Dubai and back.
Start early morning from Dubai in my 4 x 4 wheel and go towards the northeast. Take the E311, turn to Sharjah Airport, and continue driving until you reach.
Traveling to Khorfakkan
The new road made by the Sharjah Government is absolutely a beauty. While it cuts down the travel to half from Dubai (from 90 minutes to an astonishing 40 minutes), it is safer as there are no heavy trucks or trailers. The road that starts from the Sharjah section of Emirates Road (E311 or Bypass Road) is 89 kilometers long and has five tunnels. Each tunnel through the rugged Hajar Mountains cuts your distance and makes driving pleasurable. The longest tunnel is 2.5 kilometers long, and the longest land-based tunnel is in the Middle East. The sand-swept road to Khorfakkan gives you a no-hold-barred option to drive straight into Khor Fakkan from Dubai. However, you may stop by one of the many roadside cafes. The two-lane-each-side road is smooth like a tarmac, so close your eyes and enjoy the silence if you are driven to Khor Fakkan. We bet you will be wide awake when your car hits the Hajar Mountain stretch as suddenly the wind would smell and feel saltier. Many people believe that the Hajar Mountain range is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. They are not very tall but very rugged and crusted.
These mountains will accompany you all along the Khorfakkan Sea and sometimes inside!
Khorfakan Al Rufasah Dam
A beautiful dam is hidden away from the usual tourist attractions. This dam is so attractive, serene, and calming that you won’t feel like leaving it. In winter, when the monsoon here is active, the Ar Rufasah dam is full of blue water, and this massive dam fills your heart and soul. To see a dam right in the desert is unique. Not many visitors come here. Hence, it would help if you could be with yourself here. Take pictures, enjoy the lush greenery around here, and give yourself quality me-time. During the sunset and sunrise, the dam, the water, the sky, and the sun all create a visual orchestra!
Khor Fakkan Beach
Khor Fakkan Beach is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the UAE. It is very silent, evident, and very serene. With a backdrop of the imposing Hajar Mountains, this beach gives you the best experience, especially because you travel from far away. This beach is suitable for even sitting and experiencing silence, with the sea very calm.
It is a gorgeous hamlet surrounded by mountains, coral reefs, and crystal-clear water. Life thrives here, a beautiful amalgamation of golden sun-looked sand and blue seawater. To some, this might sound like a description of heaven, a thing one will find only in the Holy Scriptures or artwork in cathedrals. However, in reality, it exists on the mortal plane and is none other than the UAE’s own Khorfakkan beach.
The fluffy clouds stare down upon the beach, forming various natural patterns. At the same time, they are beautiful and mesmerizing; the sky is nature’s canvas. Khorfakkan beach, unlike other beaches in and around UAE, does not allow itself to be dirtied with man’s works of a block of cement and concrete but will enable itself to be beautified with meadows and gardens. Providing books for children to read while giving plenty of waves for risk-taking surfers, this beach is the perfect balance between relaxation and fun that can make for the ideal holiday getaway spot.
Situated in the emirate of Sharjah, though surrounded by Fujairah, Khorfakkan is a popular tourist destination, though its beach is naturally the most popular. Many people find beaches appealing because of the sometimes vibrant natural marine life. This is the case of Khorfakkan Beach, whose waters are inhabited by various aquatic life forms. Multiple islands labeled as their specialty, such as Shark Island, are located in the vicinity.
Khorfakkan Beach Activities
The activities offered by Khorfakkan Beach and its natural inhabitants are numerous and various. From viewing marine life to lying down and hearing the soft rumble of the waves hitting the beach cost to having a book in your hand while taking a sip out of a virgin mojito, it is a truly enriching experience to visit the Khorfakkan beach. The activities are as follows;
Shark Island- Though the name might spark a surge of fear in some people, it is arbitrary to run away since there have been zero shark attacks in Khorfakkan Beach. You will be able to witness some sharks, especially black-tip reef sharks, mainly from November to April. If you choose to go snorkeling here, an activity quite popular in Khorfakkan Beach, you may see the odd fish or turtle. It is wise you mind your own business.
Khorfakkan Beach is a full-day engagement. The ideal would be to pack the barbeque stuff, a nice tent, a few mats, and loads of pals for fun. Read, run, swim, drench yourself, play, or see life pass by through the blue waters of the sea. Even doing nothing makes sense.
Dibba Island– A stereotypical poster boy for the remarkable and often visually aesthetic marine life found on Khorfakkan Beach, Dibba Island is usually visited by eager marine enthusiasts and snorkelers due to its astounding range of marine wildlife. A simple dive can take your eyes and mind to new heights. This island, in particular, is home to a variety of aquatic dwellers such as turtles, jawfish, batfish, clownfish, and a variety of soft and boulder corals.
Coral Gardens– We must learn that marine life is not all about the fast sailfish, the fearsome sharks, the visually pleasing clownfish, the ginormous whales, the loyal sardines, the intelligent dolphins, and the eight-limbed octopus. It’s also about the beautiful coral reefs that give the water its beauty, and Khorfakkan Beach is no stranger to this concept. Guitar Sharks and crocodile fish can lurk in the waters near the reefs. In Khorfakkan Coral Garden, you will find crocodile fish and guitarfish.
Shark Island – Shark Island is a misnomer. You get zero sharks here, and if you expect the thrills of “Jaws,” you are far from the truth. Shark Island
There are many activities that can be done on the beach. Parasailing, kite surfing, snorkeling, etc., are favorites. It is also great to go on a Dhow cruise. If you are interested in this, you might like to explore what to do in Dubai.
Friday Market
Three things you will like or be tempted to buy from this market are a) Fruits, b) Earthen Potteries, and c) Carpets. Friday Market is a misnomer. Many tourists ask me about it. They are surprised that a market can be open only on Friday. The answer is a big NO! It is a stock market. Start clicking as the shop with different colors of fruits and clay potteries arranged neatly gives you your perfect vacation shot if you know how to use the camera. The shopkeepers know it; hence, they are always grinning and photo-ready.
Bargaining is a MUST. Shopkeepers enjoy it. You can have a great conversation, haggle for your carpet, and then have a lovely cuppa tea. Practically every vehicle stops here to buy seasonal fruits.
Some restaurants sell various sandwiches and, of course, the ubiquitous tea. Some of these restaurants also serve egg wraps in Indian pan-fried bread, which is quite yummy. The break at Friday Market is perfect.
One small piece of advice. If you are a tourist, always take counsel from your driver, and they are most helpful.
Khor Fakkan Trip and Timings
Khorfakkan MUST be on your itinerary when you visit the UAE. It is a full-day visit. Start early if you are in Dubai and beat the traffic to reach the Emirates Road and drive towards Sharjah and Al Dhaid. Catch glimpses of Camels on your way. After 20 minutes of the drive, the road bends to the swanky new Khor Fakkan Road. It’s a 45-minute drive, and you are on the beach.
Enjoy the beach activities, including the best coral view. Khor Fakkan Beach is a gift for adventure lovers. Snorkeling, kite surfing, and diving would give you plenty of reasons to get some delicious food. Binge the local Emirati food/ Indian food, etc., from the restaurants. Return to do a bit of reading under the relaxed beach umbrella. We are waiting to see the golden sunset of Khor Fakkan. The sun bids goodbye to the majestic mountains, sea, and beautiful marine life before slowly sinking into the horizon, leaving a soft golden hue.