The east coast is a full day from Dubai: about 130 km and 1.5-2 hours each way to Fujairah, best from October to April. The stops are Snoopy Island at Al Aqah for snorkelling, the tiny Al Bidyah Mosque dated to the 15th century, Fujairah Fort from the 16th, the beach at Khor Fakkan and the roadside market at Masafi. A hire car is the practical way. Pick three stops, not six, and start by 7:30 AM. This guide gives a route, costs and the season.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai — From $79 per jet ski, 30 minutes or 1 hour.
How far is Fujairah from Dubai?
About 130 km to Fujairah city, 1.5-2 hours each way by car depending on traffic and the route. Khor Fakkan and Al Bidyah are a little further north, and Snoopy Island at Al Aqah further still, so allow up to 2.5 hours each way.
This guide also answers:
- What is there to see in Fujairah and the east coast?
- How old is Al Bidyah Mosque?
- What is the best time to visit the east coast?
Five stops on the east coast, in the order you will meet them
#1
Al Bidyah Mosque
A small square mosque of stone and mud brick, whitewashed, with four domes held up by one central pillar, usually dated to the 15th century. It is tiny, so 20-30 minutes is plenty. It is still used for prayer, so dress modestly, keep your voice down and check the visitor rules or ask the caretaker before you go inside.
#2
Fujairah Fort
A sand-coloured stone fort with round and square towers, old cannons in the forecourt and a view over the old town. It dates to the 16th century and was restored in the late 1990s. Allow 45-60 minutes, go in the morning before the heat, and check the opening hours and any entry fee on arrival.
#3
Khor Fakkan waterfront
A harbour town with a long beach, a corniche and the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre, a Roman-style colonnaded stage that is lit at night. It is a good place on the coast for a relaxed lunch and a swim. Boat trips run to a small offshore island for snorkelling; the sea state decides whether they sail, so ask on the day.
#4
Al Rafisah Dam
A turquoise reservoir enclosed by bare Hajar mountains, with kayaks and pedal boats on the water and a lakeside pavilion. It is a good alternative to Hatta if you are already on the east coast and want a calm hour on the water. Check hours and boat prices before you divert, and bring a hat because there is little shade.
#5
Masafi Friday Market
A long row of covered stalls beside the road selling fruit, plants, rugs, pottery and toys. It is busiest on Fridays, though many stalls open most days. Treat it as a stretch-your-legs stop of 20-30 minutes, not a destination, and bargain politely, because prices are rarely fixed.
The east coast in one minute
Fujairah is the only emirate whose whole coast is on the Gulf of Oman, and the east coast is about 130 km and 1.5-2 hours each way from Dubai to Fujairah city, a little more to the towns further north. The best months are October to April. The classic day mixes old stone with sea: the 15th-century Al Bidyah Mosque, Fujairah Fort, Khor Fakkan's beach and, for snorkellers, Snoopy Island at Al Aqah.
The honest version: the sights are spread along 60 km of coast, the roads are good but long, and most visitors try to do too much. Choose a history loop (Khor Fakkan, Al Bidyah, Fujairah Fort and Masafi) or a sea day (Snoopy Island), not both. In summer the east coast is hot, humid and crowded at weekends, so go on a weekday and be in the water early.
We do not run east-coast tours. This guide is for guests who ask whether the drive is worth it, and it ends with the water activities we run from Dubai, which are a different kind of day. For the snorkelling detail, see snorkelling in Dubai and Snoopy Island.
The stops, in driving order
Times are what to allow once you are there. Entry fees, hours and boat prices are third-party and change, so check on arrival.
| Stop | Where | Time to allow | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khor Fakkan beach and amphitheatre | Khor Fakkan | 1-2 hours | Swim, corniche, lunch; the amphitheatre is lit at night |
| Al Bidyah Mosque | Al Bidyah, just south of Khor Fakkan | 20-30 minutes | Small and still used for prayer; dress modestly |
| Fujairah Fort | Fujairah city | 45-60 minutes | Hill fort; check hours and any fee |
| Snoopy Island | Al Aqah, north of Khor Fakkan | Half a day | Snorkelling; a resort day pass or a beach package |
| Al Rafisah Dam | Hills near Khor Fakkan | 1 hour | Kayaks and pedal boats; an alternative to Hatta |
| Masafi Friday Market | Masafi, on the road home | 20-30 minutes | Fruit, plants, rugs, pots |
Hours, fees and boat prices are set by the venues; confirm on site.
A sensible loop goes out along the road from Sharjah to Khor Fakkan and back through Masafi. A sea day is simpler: drive straight to Al Aqah, snorkel until early afternoon and drive home. Wadi Wurayah, the protected valley with waterfalls near Fujairah, has limited public access, so check before you plan around it.
Snoopy Island and the beach day
Snoopy Island is a dark rocky islet just off Al Aqah beach, named for its resemblance to the cartoon dog lying down. The water around it holds reef fish, rays and sometimes turtles, and it is a short swim or kayak from the shore. It is the nearest thing to a reef day that visitors to Dubai can reach by road.
Most visitors go in through a beach resort or dive centre that charges for entry or a day package and rents masks, fins and kayaks. A full-day package with access and a couple of activities has been listed at around AED 300 per person, but offers change, so ask for the full price before you set off. Arrive before about 10 AM at weekends, when the beach fills. The snorkelling guide has the gear, the safety rules and the months.
Al Bidyah Mosque and Fujairah Fort
Al Bidyah Mosque is a small square building of stone and mud brick, whitewashed, with four domes supported by one pillar and no minaret. The Fujairah Archaeology and Heritage Department dates it to the 15th century, which makes it one of the oldest mosques in the UAE, though the exact date cannot be proved because there is no wood in it to test. On the hill behind, a round watchtower overlooks the village. Go in the morning, avoid prayer times and keep your shoulders and knees covered.
Fujairah Fort is a 16th-century hill fort with round and square towers, rebuilt and restored in the late 1990s, about 2 km from the modern centre. The old town around it is quiet and the view from the forecourt is the best part. The Fujairah Museum is nearby, and together they make a tidy hour or two. Both are about heritage, not thrills, so keep expectations calm.
Getting there and the cost of the day
A hire car is the practical way. The east-coast towns are 20-60 km apart, public transport is thin and taxis for a full day cost several hundred dirhams, so you want your own wheels. See renting a car in Dubai for the basics and the taxi guide for fare rules on long rides.
| Option | Time each way | Cost (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire car | 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the stop | Daily rental plus fuel | The only way to link several stops |
| Taxi with a waiting fee | 1.5-2.5 hours | Several hundred dirhams each way | Agree the whole day and the return first |
| Intercity bus to Fujairah | About 2 hours | A few tens of dirhams | Check the route in S'hail; then you need local transport |
| Resort day pass at Al Aqah | On the beach | Around AED 300 listed for a package | Access plus a couple of activities; ask what is included |
Third-party prices are rounded estimates; confirm before you travel.
Weekends in the UAE are Saturday and Sunday, and the beach and the dam are busiest then. Fuel up in Dubai or Sharjah, take cash for roadside stalls and keep your passport or Emirates ID with you.
A day plan: the history loop
This is the loop in the cool months. It skips Snoopy Island on purpose, because a snorkel and a fort do not fit into one day.
- 7:30 AM: leave Dubai towards Sharjah and the road to Khor Fakkan, with water and fuel.
- 9:30 AM: Khor Fakkan beach, corniche and a coffee.
- 11:00 AM: Al Bidyah Mosque, before the heat and away from prayer times.
- 12:30 PM: Fujairah Fort and an early lunch.
- 2:30 PM: Masafi market, then the road home.
- 5:30 PM: back in Dubai, ahead of the evening traffic.
Season and what to bring
October to April is the season: warm, clear and comfortable, with the sea at about 22-24 °C in midwinter and 26-30 °C in October and November. May to September is hot and humid, and the east coast can be crowded at weekends. Ramadan shifts opening hours and the mood of the towns, so check dates and hours if your trip overlaps it.
Bring water shoes for rocky entries, a rash vest for the cooler months, a hat, reef-friendly sunscreen, a towel and a change of clothes. Carry something to cover your shoulders and knees for the mosque. A charged phone and an offline map help on the inland roads.
East coast or the sea at Jumeirah?
If the sea is the goal but the drive is not, we run it in Dubai. The jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes at Umm Suqeim harbour, or $140 for the full hour that continues to Atlantis. An instructor rides in front, stops for photos and videos, and two people share one jet ski at no extra cost. There is no hotel pickup, every rider needs an original passport or Emirates ID, and full prepayment confirms the slot.
The Marina speedboat tour is the easy option for a group: 90 minutes from $45 per person with live commentary, life jackets and photo stops at JBR, Ain Dubai, Atlantis and the Burj Al Arab. None of our water tours includes snorkelling, so Snoopy Island is the better reef; ours are the better burst of speed and skyline. The jet ski guide and water sports in Dubai explain the rules. If you want a dry day with pickup, the full-day desert safari is from $45 per person. For other trips, see best day trips from Dubai, the Hatta guide and the Ras Al Khaimah guide.
FAQ
How far is Fujairah from Dubai?
About 130 km to Fujairah city, 1.5-2 hours each way by car depending on traffic and the route. Khor Fakkan and Al Bidyah are a little further north, and Snoopy Island at Al Aqah further still, so allow up to 2.5 hours each way.
What is there to see in Fujairah and the east coast?
Snoopy Island for snorkelling, the 15th-century Al Bidyah Mosque, the 16th-century Fujairah Fort, the beach and amphitheatre at Khor Fakkan, Al Rafisah Dam and the Masafi market on the road. Pick three, not all of them.
How old is Al Bidyah Mosque?
It is usually dated to the 15th century by the Fujairah Archaeology and Heritage Department and described as one of the oldest mosques in the UAE. The exact date cannot be tested, because the building has no wood. It is small and still used for prayer.
What is the best time to visit the east coast?
October to April, when the weather is comfortable and the sea is about 22-30 °C. May to September is hot and humid, and weekends are crowded, so go on a weekday and start early.
Can I do Fujairah without a car?
It is hard. The stops are 20-60 km apart, public transport is thin and a taxi for the day costs several hundred dirhams. A hire car or a driver for the day is the practical choice.
Is Snoopy Island worth the drive?
For snorkelling, yes: it is the nearest reef-style day from Dubai, with fish, rays and sometimes turtles. Go on a weekday, arrive by 10 AM and ask the resort for the full price, since day packages have been listed at around AED 300.
Do you run tours to Fujairah?
No. We run water sports and yacht tours in Dubai, a full-day desert safari from $45 per person, a sunrise balloon and an Abu Dhabi city tour, all arranged on WhatsApp. For the east coast, use a hire car or a local driver.
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Photos: Snoopy Island, the dark rocky islet just off Al Aqah beach, with turquoise water, wet sand and small boats in the foreground — Wongleejean, CC BY-SA 4.0, Al Bidyah Mosque — Dashauvarkina8, CC BY-SA 4.0, Fujairah Fort — Marko, CC BY-SA 4.0, Khor Fakkan waterfront — Adilakv, CC BY-SA 4.0, Al Rafisah Dam — Rithan.100425, CC BY-SA 4.0, Masafi Friday Market — Alexandermcnabb, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).