Al Aqah, Fujairah east coast · Fujairah

Snoopy Island, Al Aqah

A rock formation a couple of hundred metres off the beach at Al Aqah, named for its resemblance to a certain reclining dog, and ringed by the most accessible coral reef in the UAE. You swim out from a free public beach; no boat, no dive charter, no ticket.

Why go

Coral reef reachable by swimming from a free public beach
Green turtles, reef sharks, rays and moray eels
Cooler, clearer Gulf of Oman water
Dive centres on the strip for gear hire and guided trips

What you will see

The reef around the rock holds hard and soft coral, clownfish, parrotfish, moray eels and rays, and green turtles are common enough that most snorkellers see one. Blacktip reef sharks patrol the deeper side and are harmless to swimmers. Visibility is best in the calmer winter months.

This is the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf, which is why the water is cooler, clearer and richer than anything on the Dubai side of the country.

Doing it safely

The swim out is around two hundred metres over open water with no lifeguard beyond the beach line, and currents pick up on the far side of the rock. Fins make it comfortable; a float or a buddy makes it sensible. Dive centres at the hotels on the strip rent gear and run guided snorkel and scuba trips for anyone who would rather not swim out cold.

The public beach is free. The hotel day passes on the same stretch buy a pool, a lounger and a shower rather than better access to the reef.

Snoopy Island, Al Aqah, answered

Is Snoopy Island free?

Yes. The beach is public and the reef is reached by swimming out. Only gear hire, guided dives and hotel day passes cost anything.

Are the sharks at Snoopy Island dangerous?

No. They are blacktip reef sharks, typically under a metre and a half, and they avoid swimmers. The genuine hazards are the current on the far side of the rock and the distance from shore.