United Arab Emirates
Fujairah Emirate
Region
The Emirate of Fujairah is the only one of the seven emirates whose entire coast lies on the Gulf of Oman.
by Felix Gillen
The Emirate of Fujairah is the only one of the seven emirates whose entire coast lies on the Gulf of Oman. Around 70 kilometers of coastline stretch from the capital Fujairah in the south to Dibba in the north, backed by the Hajar Mountains. Forts, the country's oldest preserved mosque, and reefs for snorkeling make the East Coast a contrast to Dubai.
OverviewThe largest part of the emirate consists of mountainous land. Along the narrow coastal plain are situated fishing villages, date gardens, and beach hotels; off the capital, tankers lie at anchor off the Port of Fujairah, one of the world's largest bunkering ports.What You Can SeeFujairah City: 16th-century Fujairah Fort, the Museum and Sheikh Zayed Mosque.Wadi Wurayah: a protected mountain valley with a year-round flowing waterfall, only accessible with a guided tour.North: Al-Bidiya Mosque, Al Aqah Beach featuring Snoopy Island, and Dibba, which serves as a departure point for dhow cruises to Musandam.Masafi: Souq Al Juma Friday Market with carpets, fruit, and souvenirs.Getting AroundThe coastal road connects Fujairah City with Al Bidiya and Dibba. For wadis, forts, and beaches, a rental car is most practical, and a public bus also runs from Dubai.
Food and Drink
On the East Coast, freshly caught fish is served, accompanied by fruit from Masafi's Friday Market and oysters from Dibba Bay.
Fujairah Fish Market
Each morning, a broker auctions the boats' catch once the crates are set out in front of the traders. The market is near the Corniche, where fish is cleaned and prepared. If you want to photograph people, ask first.
Souq Al Juma in Masafi
Fujairah's best-known traditional market sells fruit alongside carpets, antiques and souvenirs.
Oysters from Dibba
Since 2016 the company Dibba Bay has farmed oysters in the bay of Dibba, by its own account the first oyster farm in the Middle East. On open farm days, most recently in January 2026, you take a boat out to the farm.
Culture and History
Forts and WatchtowersFujairah Fort dates back to the 16th century. In 1925, the British Navy destroyed three of its towers, and it was restored between 1997 and 2000 using original materials. Other forts can be found in Al Bithnah, Al Hayl and Dibba.Al Bidiya MosqueThe small mud-brick and stone mosque of Al Bidiya is considered the oldest surviving mosque in the Emirates. A 2017 dating indicated a construction period around 1599, while older sources cite the 15th century.BullfightsEvery Friday, usually in the late afternoon, traditional bullfights take place in Fujairah, where two bulls lock horns. There are no matadors, and the fights are bloodless.
Getting There & Around
Travel from DubaiBus: The E700 line runs from Union Bus Station in Dubai to Fujairah, approximately hourly and taking around two hours. Payment is made with a Nol Card; current times are shown on the RTA S'hail app.Car: You can reach the East Coast directly from Dubai via the Sheikh Khalifa Highway.Flight: Fujairah International Airport primarily serves cargo traffic and has only a few passenger connections.Local AreaBetween Fujairah City, Al Bidiya, and Dibba, a rental car offers the most flexibility. The Masafi Friday Market is most easily reached by car.Hiking in the MountainsIn the Emirate of Fujairah, mountain excursions require registration, for instance, via a code at the trailhead. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, violations can be fined 50,000 dirhams. Before your hike, check the current UK FCDO travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice).
