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    United Arab Emirates

    Point of Interest

    Al Bidiya and Dibba are located on the northern east coast in the Emirate of Fujairah, between the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman.

    by Felix Gillen

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    7. Fujairah Emirate
    Al Bidiya and Dibba are located on the northern east coast in the Emirate of Fujairah, between the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman. In Al Bidiya, about 40 kilometres north of Fujairah city, stands the oldest preserved mosque in the Emirates, further north are Al Aqah beach with the snorkelling island Snoopy Island and the city of Dibba Al Fujairah. From Dibba, dhow trips depart into the fjords of the Omani Musandam Peninsula.

    Sights in

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Mosque of Al-Bidiya
    Mosque

    1Mosque of Al-Bidiya

    The small stone and mud-brick mosque is considered the oldest surviving mosque in the Emirates. Uranium-thorium dating in 2017 revealed a construction date around 1599, though older records suggest the 15th century. Four stepped domes rest on a single central pillar, with two watchtowers positioned on the slope behind. The mosque remains in use for prayers.
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    Wadi Wurayah
    Natural Feature

    2Wadi Wurayah

    This approximately 220-square-kilometer protected area in the Hajar Mountains boasts the Emirates' only year-round flowing waterfall, approximately 13 meters high. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is only accessible via guided group tours through Fujairah Holidays, on Saturdays during hiking season and with limited places (as of July 2026).
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    Dibba Fort
    Point of Interest

    3Dibba Fort

    This square, two-story fort with two round, 7-meter-high towers once guarded Dibba and its date palm gardens. Following excavations in 2010, it was restored between 2012 and 2018. According to the tourism authority, it is open from 9:00 to 18:00.
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    Snoopy Island

    4Snoopy Island

    This small rocky island is located in the Gulf of Oman off the beach of Al Aqah, its rocks resembling the comic character Snoopy lying on his back. The coral reef around the island makes it a popular destination for snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. In Arabic, it is named after the nearby place Jazirat al-Aqqa.
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    Restaurants in

    1

    The Copper Lobster

    Fish and seafood grill restaurant at the Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort near Dibba. It offers a daily changing menu with freshly caught fish, plus oysters from Dibba Bay and grilled Omani lobster. Open evenings from 6 PM.
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    2

    Sea Taste Restaurant

    Fish restaurant in the Al Nahda district in Dibba Al-Fujairah, known for shrimp, grilled sea bream, and mixed grilled seafood platters.
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    3

    Bait Al Majbus

    Restaurant in Dibba with Kuwaiti-style home cooking, such as Machboos with lamb, Chicken Madhbi and vegetarian dishes.
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    4

    Hawa Bloudan

    Affordable spot downtown Dibba with Syrian-Lebanese cuisine: Shawarma, mixed grills, and lentil soup.
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    5

    Kabab Al Bastakiah

    Persian restaurant in Al Aqah with grilled platters, chicken Koobideh kebab, and lamb skewers with rice. Indoor and outdoor seating.
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    Food and Drink

    Restaurants are primarily found in the beach resorts of Al Aqah and Dibba; fish and seafood here come directly from the Gulf of Oman.

    Oysters from Dibba Bay

    Dibba Bay oysters are on the menu at resort restaurants like The Copper Lobster, served raw or on seafood platters.

    Samak Mashwi

    Spiced, marinated and grilled fish is one of the staple dishes of Emirati cuisine. On the East Coast, Hammour is often grilled.

    Dhow Boat Tour with Lunch

    On dhow cruises to Musandam, lunch on board is often part of the itinerary, along with swimming stops for snorkeling.

    History and Coastline

    The Al Bidiya MosqueThe mosque, built of stone and mud bricks, was constructed around 1599 according to a 2017 uranium-thorium dating, though other sources cite the 15th century. It was restored and reopened in March 2003. Four domes rest on a single pillar, and behind it on the hill stand two watchtowers overlooking the mosque and village.Al Aqah and Snoopy IslandSeveral resorts line the beach of Al Aqah. The small rocky island, Snoopy Island, is located about 200 meters offshore; you can reach it by swimming or kayaking. Reef fish and turtles live on the reef; with a bit of luck, you might spot rays or small reef sharks. Snorkeling is not advisable in high waves.DibbaIn Dibba Al Fujairah stands the restored fort, which formerly guarded the date gardens; in the harbor, dhows are available for day and overnight tours.

    Travel & On the Move

    By CarAl Bidiya, Al Aqah and Dibba are situated along the coastal road, north of Fujairah City. A rental car is the practical choice; from Dubai, you drive via the Sheikh Khalifa Highway to the East Coast.Trip to MusandamThe dhow cruise from Dibba port takes around five hours and crosses the border into Omani waters; full-day tours with transfer from Dubai are nine to ten hours.Take your original passport with you; many operators require a copy of your passport and visa in advance. A fee of approximately 30 Dirham is payable at the border.Entry regulations depend on your nationality. Check them with the operator before booking and consult the travel and security advisories of the Federal Foreign Office.

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    Nearby

    Khor Fakkan

    Khor Fakkan

    Khor Fakkan, an exclave of Sharjah Emirate on the Gulf of Oman, facing the Hajar Mountains and surrounded by Fujairah. Home to around 43,000, the city boasts the region's only natural deep-water port and is known for its white sandy beaches. Waterfall, amphitheater, the expanded Al-Rafisah Dam and the Al Suhub viewpoint make it an east coast excursion destination.
    Fujairah

    Fujairah

    Fujairah is the capital of the eponymous emirate on the east coast of the UAE on the Gulf of Oman. Around the 16th-century fort are a museum and a Heritage Village; the 2015 Sheikh Zayed Mosque shapes the city's skyline. Off the coast, tankers anchor near the port, one of the world's largest bunkering ports; in the hinterland, the Hajar Mountains begin.
    Fujairah Emirate

    Fujairah Emirate

    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.
    Ras al-Khaimah

    Ras al-Khaimah

    Ras al-Khaimah is the capital of the eponymous emirate on the Gulf coast in the north of the UAE. An inlet divides it into the Old Town in the west and Al Nakheel in the east, with mangroves growing along its banks. The National Museum, located in the historic fort, Dhayah Fort, and the abandoned pearl fishing village of Al Jazirat al-Hamra tell the story of the Qawasim; to its west lie the hotels of Al Hamra and Al Marjan Island.
    Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah

    Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah

    The Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah is located in the north of the United Arab Emirates and stretches from 68 kilometres of coastline on the Persian Gulf up into the Hajar Mountains with Jebel Jais. According to the tourism authority, its eponymous capital can be reached from Dubai Airport in about 45 minutes by car; during rush hour, it takes longer. Mangroves, old fortresses, an abandoned pearl fishing village, and beach resorts on Al Marjan Island lie close together here.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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