Fujairah sits on the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf, separated from Dubai by the Hajar mountain range. The two-hour drive via the E88 Masafi road is itself a highlight β the road climbs quickly from the flat desert into bare limestone canyons before dropping steeply to the east coast. The change in landscape is abrupt and dramatic. The emirate on the other side has a distinct character: fishing villages, mountain backdrops, and the oldest surviving structures in the UAE.
A well-planned day trip can combine the main historical sites (Fujairah Fort, Al Bidya Mosque) with several hours at the beach. It is a long day from Dubai but a rewarding one if you start early.
Getting to Fujairah from Dubai
By car (recommended): Drive north on the E11 through Sharjah and Ajman, then east on the E88 (Masafi Road) toward Fujairah. The mountain section takes around 35β45 minutes and is well-maintained but winding. Total drive from central Dubai: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours in light traffic. Depart by 8am to make the most of the day and avoid morning heat at the outdoor sites.
An alternative route via the E311 (Emirates Road) to the E88 junction at Masafi avoids some Sharjah traffic. Both routes are approximately the same duration.
Car rental: Several Dubai airport and city rental agencies offer same-day car rentals. Rates start at approximately AED 80β120 per day for a compact car as of 2026; add a driver for approximately AED 400β600 for a 10β12 hour day hire.
Guided tours: Multiple operators run Fujairah day tours from Dubai, typically covering the fort, Al Bidya, and Al Aqah beach in a combined itinerary. Prices approximately AED 200β400 per person as of 2026 depending on group size and whether lunch is included. Available through GetYourGuide.
Fujairah Fort
The most prominent landmark in Fujairah city, the fort is a whitewashed mud-brick complex on a slight rise above the old town. Dating to approximately the 16th century, it is one of the oldest forts on the UAEβs east coast and was restored in the 1990s.
Entry is approximately AED 5 for adults as of 2026. The interior courtyard and several rooms are accessible. The Fujairah Museum adjacent to the fort (separate entry, approximately AED 5 as of 2026) covers the archaeological history of the east coast with artefacts from Bronze Age settlements.
The fort is at its best photographically in the morning light, with the Hajar mountains as a backdrop. Allow 45β60 minutes for both the fort and museum.
Al Bidya Mosque
Located 20km north of Fujairah city on the coastal road, Al Bidya Mosque is generally accepted as the oldest mosque in the UAE, built sometime in the 15th century. The exterior β four small domes of unfired mud brick above a simple rectangular prayer hall β is visually distinctive and largely unaltered. The site is well-maintained and free to approach.
Non-Muslim visitors can view the exterior at any time but should not enter the prayer hall during prayer times (which are posted on a sign at the entrance). The surrounding area has a few small coffee shops and a public beach immediately to the east.
Driving time from Fujairah Fort: approximately 25 minutes north on the coastal road.
Al Aqah Beach and Snoopy Island
After the historical sites, the natural next stop is Al Aqah, a beach area 20km north of Fujairah city framed by the Hajar mountains. The water is the Gulf of Oman β cleaner and often clearer than the Arabian Gulf beaches on Dubaiβs west side.
Snoopy Island, a small rocky islet 50 metres offshore from the Sandy Beach Resort, is the UAEβs best-known snorkelling spot. The reef around the island holds parrotfish, surgeonfish, and occasional rays. Day-use access at the Sandy Beach Resort costs approximately AED 100β150 per person as of 2026, redeemable against food and drinks. Snorkelling equipment rental approximately AED 25β40.
The free public beach areas adjacent to the resort have direct sea access without a fee; bring your own shade and water.
Sample Day Itinerary
- 7:30am β Depart Dubai
- 9:30am β Arrive Fujairah city; visit Fujairah Fort and Museum
- 11:00am β Drive north to Al Bidya Mosque (25 minutes)
- 11:45am β Drive to Sandy Beach Resort/Al Aqah (15 minutes)
- 12:00pm β Snorkelling at Snoopy Island, lunch at resort or beach cafΓ©
- 3:30pm β Depart for Dubai
- 5:30β6:00pm β Arrive Dubai (allow extra for potential traffic)
Practical Notes
- Petrol stations in Fujairah are less frequent than in Dubai β fill up before the mountain crossing
- The Masafi road has a section of unstable verge β stay on sealed road if you stop for photos
- Khor Fakkan (25km north of Fujairah city) is worth adding if you have time β the bay views are among the best on the east coast
- Water and snacks from Dubai are cheaper than purchasing at east coast resorts
- Mobile coverage drops in the mountain valleys; download offline maps before departing
For more on east coast beaches, see our Fujairah beaches guide.