What better outdoor entertainment
can you find here all
year around, at close
proximity and at no expense!
Whether to swim in the
clear waters on either
coast or to spend a few
hours beach combing and
building sand castles,
everyone comes away relaxed.
The sun can be deceptively
strong, so hats, sun cream
and UV protection suits
are a must at any time
of the year. Dogs are
not allowed on many 'in
town' beaches so if you
have a family pet watch
out for signs prohibiting
their access.
Occasionally,
due to the beach configuration
and man made breakwaters,
eddies and undercurrents
do occur. The only advice
is to go with the flow,
don't fight it, as the
currents are very localized.
There is very little sea
life that will harm you
on the Arabian Gulf coast
but look out for colored
jelly fish at certain
times of the year (September/October
in particular) and the
odd ray which basks in
the shallow waters. Stamp
your feet as you walk
into the sea and most
rays will glide away out
to sea. On the East coast,
one should take more care,
as in addition to the
jelly fish and rays, camouflaged
Stone Fish plus sea urchins
occur in the rocky waters
and Cone Shells (look
for the diamond shaped
pattern) in the Musandam
area, all of which can
cause serious problems.
Dress restrictions do
apply on the Sharjah beaches
and ladies should be suitable
attired.
Some
of the beaches are
Al
Khan Lagoon:
The middle lagoon between
Sharjah and Dubai has
no boat or jet ski restrictions
so it is popular with
both water and jet skiers.
Mornings tend to be quiet
and relaxing and the afternoons
are active. The beach
may be littered by the
sea is generally clean
and refreshing and the
dress code more relaxed.
Al
Khan Beach:
Al Khan beach stretches
from the old village of
Al Khan to Layyeh power
station. The beach between
Lou'Lou'a hotel and the
power station has been
fenced off with no access
for vehicles so you have
to carry your gear to
this safe, gently shelving
shore.
Corniche
Beach:
The sandy palm lined corniche
beach runs from the Sharjah
Women's Club all the way
to Coral Beach Hotel.
Parking is available alongside
the beach and dress restrictions
do apply here. Currents
can occur and the beaches
carry warnings to this
effect.
Hamriyah
Lagoon:
Visible from the road
to Ras Al Khaimah by Hamriyah
Free Zone, this protected
lagoon is frequented by
jet and water skiers and
windsurfers.
Khor
Fakkan:
The Oceanic Hotel's beach
is really the only beach
in the town and the hotel
charges to use its facilities.
Along the coast there
are many beautiful rocky
outcrops with sandy beaches
to stop off for a quick
dip or spend the day and
have a barbecue. Camp
sites are also readily
available.
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