Visit Shark Island, UAE – Khorfakkan’s Best Snorkeling Spot

From above the water, Shark Island looks like a rocky outcropping of black stones and sandy beaches. The real magic happens below the surface – where sea turtles roam the coral reefs and starfish settle amongst the white sand. This tiny island off the coast of Khorfakkan has been called a “mini Maldives” in the UAE, and it only takes one minute swimming in its turquoise waters to understand why.  

Whether you want to dive with the fish or lounge on a beach, Shark Island has a tranquil, serene feeling rare to many of the busy beaches on the western coast of the UAE. Not to mention you might even spot a shark – keep reading to learn more!

Why is it called Shark Island?

Don’t let the name scare you away – there has not been a single shark attack at Shark Island. The island is named for the black tip reef sharks that call the eastern tip of the reef home – but trust me, they’re just as scared of you as you might be of them! Blacktip reef sharks are not known to attack humans and when swimming or snorkeling at Shark Island you will always be at a safe distance. 

We didn’t actually see any sharks on our trip to the island in early December, as we snorkeled fairly close to the shore. We did however spot plenty of moray eels, Arabian angelfish, and tiny starfish nestled amongst the colorful coral.

If spotting sharks is a priority for you, I recommend visiting between the months of November and April, as the cooler waters attract more marine species to the island. You’re also more likely to spot sharks further from the main beach, so I’d recommend finding a boat driver who will take you around the northern tip of the island or joining an organized tour like this one from Viator to ensure you visit the best shark-sighting spots.  

How to get to Shark Island

Shark Island is located in Khorfakkan, a beautiful coastal town on the UAE’s eastern shore in the Emirate of Sharjah. Nestled amongst the Hajar mountain range, Khorfakkan truly has the best of both worlds – stunning mountains for hiking and crystal clear oceans for swimming. The town is about 1.5 hours from the major cities of Dubai and Sharjah and 2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi. 

Recommended Reading: 10 Things to do in Khorfakkan in 2022 (Coming Soon!)

Getting to Khorfakkan

If you want to visit Shark Island as a day trip, I highly recommend taking your own vehicle to Khorfakkan. I always use RentalCars.com to find affordable rental cars in the UAE. 

If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can charter a taxi from one of the major cities on the west coast. The trip will likely cost around 300-350 AED ($80-$95 USD) one-way depending on traffic. Note that you will have to find a ride back to the city from Khorfakkan, so I’d recommend speaking with your taxi driver about a daily rental or signing up for a customizable Khorfakkan day-tour like this one from Viator.

You can also take public transportation to Khorfakkan from Dubai. Beginning at the Union Square Station in Dubai, ride bus E700 to Fujairah for 25 AED ($6.00 USD). From Fujairah, charter a taxi for the short ride to Khorfakkan for around 75 AED ($20 USD) Note that this journey will take around 3-4 hours, so I’d recommend staying overnight in Khorfakkan if you chose this route. 

From Khorfakkan to Shark Island

To visit Shark Island, you must charter a boat from Khorfakkan Beach (Google Maps). This long stretch of beach is a popular spot for water sports and has both bathroom and changing facilities. Parking at Khorfakkan Beach costs 2 AED/hour and is free on Sundays. 

Any day of the week, boats line up along the main stretch of the beach to take visitors around the Gulf of Oman. You can charter one of these boats to take you out to snorkel at Shark Island for a few hours, or on a boat trip around the island. Prices vary from operator to operator, so I recommend haggling with a few before settling on a price. 

The boat ride out to Shark Island takes about 10 minutes with a quick stop at the port authority, where you’ll have to show proof of identity as you are entering international waters. 

Tips for visiting Shark Island

We visited Shark Island on UAE National Weekend, so we definitely learned some valuable travel lessons going on one of the busiest weekends of the year! Here are a few tips and tricks to help you avoid some of our travel mistakes when planning your own trip.

What does it cost to visit?

Since we visited on one of the busiest days of the year, my friend and I found prices to be a bit higher than we expected (rookie mistake!) We ended up chartering a boat for 300 AED (150 AED each) for the ride to the island and back with an hour of snorkeling while our captain waited. While we ultimately found it worth it, here are a few things to keep in mind for your own visit. 

• Haggle with the boat operators – Never accept a first offer! The beachfront is covered in boat operators, so always check out a few offers and don’t be afraid to haggle with the captains for a fair price. We were originally offered 400 AED for an hour, and managed to haggle the price down to 300 AED. 
• Visit with a group – Since the boat price is per-trip, traveling in a group will help you save by splitting the cost. The more people you bring along the more ways the fee can be split, so I recommend traveling in groups if possible. 
• Bring your passport or Emirates ID – You MUST bring your passport or Emirates ID to visit Shark Island. Since the island is located in international waters, boat operators are required to report passengers to the Khorfakkan port authority before traveling. It’d be a shame to make it all the way to Khorfakkan and not be able to visit Shark Island just because you forgot your ID!
• Come on a weekday – Since weekends are busier, most boat-operators charge higher prices. Come out on a weekday and you’ll find far fewer people searching for a ride and can haggle for a lower price as a result! 
• Bring Your Own Snorkel Gear – If you plan to snorkel at Shark Island, you must bring your own snorkel gear as there are no rentals on the island itself. You can often find gear rentals from vendors on Khorfakkan Beach, or bring your own gear from home. 
• Plan bathroom breaks accordingly – Since Shark Island is a natural oasis, there are no bathroom facilities on the island. Luckily, you can find bathroom and changing facilities on the nearby Khorfakkan beach, but please plan accordingly before hopping on a boat out to the island.

What to do on Shark Island

Teeming with colorful fish and striking rock formations, there are multiple ways to enjoy the extraordinary wildlife of Shark Island. 

Take a Boat Ride Around the Island

The best way to enjoy Shark Island without getting wet! Plenty of boat operators offer boat rides around some of the island’s most scenic spots for those who want to enjoy the island without having to swim. We found prices from Khorfakkan Beach to be around 50 AED/per person for this type of trip. 

Snorkel with Colorful Marine Life

My favorite activity on Shark Island! Come prepared to snorkel and enjoy the colorful coral, slithering moray eels, and brightly colored Arabian angelfish that call the island home. Most people snorkel off of the main beach on the front of the island, but I recommend also walking over to the other side to see the beautiful black rocks jutting out of the turquoise water and say hello to the many sand crabs.

You can bring your own snorkel gear to explore the reef on your own, or join a guided tour like this one from Viator. 

Scuba Dive with Sharks

For those seeking a little more adventure, Shark Island is a popular diving spot. Diving at Shark Island is also one of the most likely ways to spot black-tipped reef sharks in action. Nemo Diving Center in Fujairah offers guided dives around Shark Island for those with diving certifications. 

Can you camp on Shark Island, UAE?

Unfortunately camping is not allowed on Shark Island as it is a protected area. However, Khorfakkan and nearby Fujairah are home to some of the most beautiful camping spots in the UAE. If camping is on your mind, I recommend visiting Shark Island in the morning and camping at the nearby Heart Beach (Google Maps). 

Recommended Reading: A Local’s Guide to Desert Camping in the UAE + The Best Places To Go (Coming Soon!)

What to bring to Shark Island

Please remember to pack what you bring! Shark Island is a beautiful natural reserve so as always, please aim to leave the place better than you found it. Here are a few things I recommend bringing on a trip to Shark Island. 

• A Picnic Lunch – The sandy beaches of Shark Island are the perfect spot to enjoy a packed lunch! Note that there are no stores on the island, so you’ll have to bring your own food and drinks. 
• Sturdy Sandals – Sandals are the best shoes for exploring the desert and beaches. I practically live in my mid-form Tevas, but Keens are a great closed-toed option. I highly recommend good sandals for visiting Shark Island as some of the barnacles on the rocks can be unexpectedly sharp. 
• A Sun Hat – Essential for outdoor activities in the UAE, a wide-brimmed sun hat helps protect you from the harsh desert rays. 
• Plenty of Sunblock – There is little-to-no shade on Shark Island, so sunscreen of at least SPF 35 is a must.
• Snorkel Gear – I highly recommend bringing your own gear to the island to avoid the high prices of the rentals on Khorfakkan Beach. This set from Amazon comes highly recommended. 

---

Share This Post

This site uses affiliate links to products or services I recommend and love! I may earn a commission through links on this site at no extra cost to you. This helps support my site and keeps me able to share adventures with you all — thank you!