Fujairah for families

Known for its gorgeous natural beaches and subtropical seas teeming with colourful creatures, the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula is one of the best places for a sun, sea and sand-filled holiday. As the only emirate facing onto the Gulf of Oman, and with a clutch of fabulous child-friendly resorts, Fujairah is one of the region's prime family holiday destinations. As well as a wide selection of watersports, snorkelling and diving, Fujairah has some great sightseeing spots including notable mosques, castles, souks and natural marvels.
 

Family activities and attractions

Simply having fun splashing about in the water is the most obvious way for families to enjoy holidays to Fujairah, while the fine clean sand is perfect for bucket-and-spade days. The range of ways to enjoy the inviting warm waters of the Gulf of Oman is seemingly endless. Adventure Sports, based at the Miramar hotel, offers thrilling doughnut and banana boat rides, as well as water-skiing and parasailing for older kids and snorkelling trips for the whole family. Visitors staying at the southern end of Al Aqah beach near Sandy Beach Hotel should not miss a chance to paddle out to Snoopy Island and snorkel among the schools of subtropical fish.

One of the pleasantest ways to see Fujairah's coast is to join a boat tour on a motorised sightseeing vessel or on a graceful traditional dhow. Most cruises take in the UAE's east coast but the scenery becomes all the more dramatic as you head north to the Musandam Peninsula, and there's a chance of spotting marine life such as pods of dolphins and sea turtles that make their nests on the region's deserted beaches. To explore the mountainous hinterland, wadi-bashing safaris through scenic valleys in a four-wheel-drive is enormous fun and the panoramic views from the top of the wadis are sensational. One of the most popular is Wadi Wurayah, which is part of a protected area and encompasses a small waterfall and pools for paddling and swimming.
 

Fujairah for couples

A tranquil haven with authentic Arabian appeal, the tiny emirate of Fujairah has more than its fair share of high-quality beach resorts facing onto the glistening Gulf of Oman. With some of the best slices of creamy sand in the UAE and the truly remarkable backdrop of the high jagged Hajar mountains, it is the ideal setting for a romantic holiday.
Choose from a wide array of luxury hotels behind Al Aqah and Dibba beaches from glamorous full service resorts with spas and a range of dining options to barefoot village-style accommodation offering a myriad of watersports. Heading out on the opalescent ocean is a hugely fun way for couples to spend time together in Fujairah whether that's cruising on a catamaran or splashing along in an inflatable. There are also a range of other interesting things to see and do, such as shopping in Arabian souks, exploring the country's heritage, and discovering the remarkable natural beauty of the emirate's mountain valleys and springs.
 

Activities for two

Adventurous couples can try wadi-bashing amid Fujairah's remarkable landscapes and discover hidden waterfalls and verdant valleys filled with date palms. The Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa organises some exciting excursions for guests including four-by-four tours of the region's mountains and valleys and coastal cruises in graceful traditional dhow boats.

Sandy Beach hotel is a good base if you and your partner want to immerse yourself in the underwater world. The renowned snorkelling spot of Snoopy Island is just a 30-metre swim offshore where you can spy colourful fish and corals.

Traditional sightseeing is also a treat in and around Fujairah City, with a number of cultural attractions that you can explore with your partner including a handful of historic castles and marvellous mosques, a heritage village and an excellent museum. Along with the Friday market in Masafi, the city offers the best opportunities for shopping in Fujairah with everything from high-end malls to bustling Arabian souks.