Cruises to Sharjah
Sharjah is the cultural capital of the Persian Gulf and the only emirate in the UAE with coastlines on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is the country's third-largest emirate by both population and area, bordering Dubai to the south and Ajman to the north, with its eastern reaches stretching to the mountainous shore of the Gulf of Oman. Human settlement here dates back more than 120,000 years, and today Sharjah combines its status as the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World” with a reputation as the UAE's calmest, most family-friendly emirate: the sale and consumption of alcohol are banned outside licensed hotels, and its streets and waterfronts keep the feel of a traditional Arab city, free of Dubai-style skyscrapers.
For a cruise traveller, Sharjah essentially means Khor Fakkan — a historic port town and exclave on the Gulf of Oman that is administratively part of the Emirate of Sharjah, even though it is geographically surrounded by neighbouring Fujairah. It is here, at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, that cruise ships dock while sailing the Gulf of Oman during the Arabian Gulf's winter cruise season. It is one of the most scenic and authentic ports of call in the region: instead of skyscrapers, you'll find fishing boats, an old fort and mountains tumbling straight down to turquoise water. Industry reports put the Middle East cruise market at USD 708 million in revenue for 2024, with growth projected to reach USD 1.1 billion by 2026 — and Sharjah is steadily carving out its place on that map as an unpolished alternative to glossy Dubai. ⚓
📋 Before setting off on a cruise to Sharjah or going ashore for a few hours during a port call, here's what you need to know:
🇦🇪 Country: United Arab Emirates
📍 Region: Emirate of Sharjah (the UAE's third-largest emirate; the only one with a coastline on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman)
👥 Population: Emirate of Sharjah — around 1.8 million residents; the port town of Khor Fakkan, where ships dock, — around 40,000 residents
📐 Area: Emirate of Sharjah — around 2,900 km² (about 1,120 sq mi)
🗣️ Languages: Arabic (official); English is widely used in tourism and business; Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam and Tamil are common among the large expatriate community
💶 Currency: UAE dirham (AED)
🕐 Time zone: Gulf Standard Time, GST (UTC+4) — year-round, with no clock changes, meaning it is one hour ahead of Kyiv in summer and two hours ahead in winter
☀️ Climate: desert climate, with hot, humid summers (+38…+45 °C / 100…113 °F from June to September) and mild, sunny winters (+20…+28 °C / 68…82 °F) — the best season for cruising the region is November to April
✈️ Nearest airport: Fujairah International Airport (FJR) — about 25–30 km (16–19 mi) from the Khor Fakkan piers; Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) — about 95 km (59 mi) away
⚓ Official name of the cruise port: Khor Fakkan Port — managed by the Sharjah Ports Authority, with the commercial terminal operated by Gulftainer
🗺️ Port area: around 70 hectares (173 acres) of container terminal; 6 berths with a combined quay length of 1,880 m (6,168 ft) and depths of up to 16 m (52 ft)
🏛️ The history of Sharjah and Khor Fakkan — from ancient settlements to the gateway of the Gulf of Oman
⏳ More than 120,000 years of human presence
Sharjah's history is among the oldest on the Arabian Peninsula: archaeological finds across the emirate point to settlement here as far back as the Stone Age. In the 18th century, the Al Qasimi dynasty took power, and on 8 January 1820 Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, which for more than a century defined Sharjah's status as one of the Persian Gulf's “Trucial States.” On 2 December 1971, the emirate joined the newly formed federation of the United Arab Emirates. Today Sharjah is ruled by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who has led the emirate since 1972 and is regarded as one of the region's most learned rulers — it was on his initiative that Sharjah was named the Cultural Capital of the Arab World (UNESCO, 1998), the Islamic Culture Capital (2014) and the UNESCO World Book Capital (2019).
⚔️ Khor Fakkan — a fortress at the crossroads of sea routes
While the city of Sharjah grew up on the shore of the Persian Gulf, its eastern exclave, Khor Fakkan, led a maritime life of its own on the opposite coast of the country. Thanks to a natural deep-water bay — one of only a few along the UAE coastline — the town had long served as an important port on the route from the Indian Ocean into the Persian Gulf. In 1507, Khor Fakkan was seized by the Portuguese under Afonso de Albuquerque, and the ruins of the 1635 Portuguese fort and the 1915 Al Rabi watchtower that survive today are reminders of an era when Portugal, Oman and Persia all vied for control of the bay. In 1832, Khor Fakkan came under the rule of the Sheikh of Sharjah, and even when Britain recognised neighbouring Fujairah as a separate sheikhdom in 1952, this coastal exclave remained part of Sharjah — and remains so today. Nearby, in Wadi Wurayah, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of settlements dating back as far as 300 BC, making the area one of the oldest inhabited sites on the Gulf of Oman.
⚓ Khor Fakkan Port — Sharjah's maritime gateway to the Gulf of Oman
📊 Scale and layout of the port
Khor Fakkan Port is, above all, a major container terminal — the second-busiest in the UAE after Jebel Ali, and the country's only fully operational terminal located outside the Strait of Hormuz. Opened in 1979, it was the first port in the Middle East with a fully equipped container facility. Today it has 6 berths with a combined quay length of 1,880 m (6,168 ft) and depths reaching 16 m (52 ft), able to accommodate both large container ships and modern ocean-going cruise liners. There is no dedicated passenger cruise terminal at the port yet: passengers disembark at the commercial harbour's quay, from where free shuttle buses take them to the port gate, where taxis, a duty-free shop and two traditional markets — one for fish, one for fruit and vegetables — await. A project to build a full passenger terminal for the world's largest cruise ships was approved back in 2015, and Sharjah's authorities continue developing Khor Fakkan's tourism infrastructure, from an upgraded Corniche waterfront to new beach areas and protected coastal reserves.
🚢 How many liners the port can receive
Unlike mega-ports such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan is a port of call, not a turnaround port: ships dock here for just a few hours during a single day's stop, rather than beginning or ending a cruise. Since the berths belong to a working commercial port, only one cruise ship is typically received at a time, using one of the six cargo berths freed up for the occasion. The busiest period for calls is the traditional Arabian Gulf winter cruise season, from November to April, when air temperatures make it comfortable to explore the town and mountains. The port does not publish official passenger-throughput statistics, since, unlike Barcelona or Dubai, Khor Fakkan remains a niche, low-volume destination — which is exactly what draws travellers seeking to see “another,” more authentic Arabia.
🏢 Which cruise lines call at Sharjah
Khor Fakkan is regularly visited by ships from MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, Azamara and Seabourn, along with vessels from other premium and luxury brands whose Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman itineraries include this port as an exotic highlight. Most of these are regional winter cruises around the Persian Gulf (Dubai — Abu Dhabi — Doha — Muscat) with a separate call at Khor Fakkan, as well as individual legs of world cruises run by leading luxury lines. 🌍
💡 Interesting facts about Sharjah and Khor Fakkan
A few lesser-known details that round out the picture of this emirate:
🌊 Sharjah is the only emirate in the UAE with coastlines on two seas at once: the Persian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east, where the cruise port of Khor Fakkan is located.
🏰 The Portuguese fort in Khor Fakkan (1635) is one of the few surviving monuments of the European colonial era in the UAE; nearby stands the Hisn Khor Fakkan Museum, built in the shape of a fortress.
🕌 About 40 km (25 mi), or roughly 35–40 minutes' drive, from the port stands Al Bidya Mosque — the oldest mosque in the UAE, built of stone and coral limestone as early as the 15th century.
🦈 Shark Island, just off Khor Fakkan, is a popular snorkelling and diving spot where reef sharks live among the corals — which is how the island got its name.
💧 On the Corniche waterfront stands a man-made 45-metre (148 ft) waterfall, lit up in the evenings, and nearby, in Shees Park, there is another one — 25 metres (82 ft) tall, with an artificial lake set among the mountains.
📚 Sharjah is the only city in the UAE named UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World (1998) and World Book Capital (2019), as well as Islamic Culture Capital (2014).
🕰️ In January 2022, Sharjah's government became the first in the Middle East to introduce a four-day working week for its public sector.
🏝️ The bay at Khor Fakkan is one of the few natural deep-water harbours on the entire UAE coastline, which is what made the town an important port long before the modern state existed.
🍷 Sharjah is a “dry” emirate: the sale and consumption of alcohol are banned outside a handful of licensed hotels, and the dress code in public places is noticeably more conservative than in Dubai.
📍 Top sights of Sharjah and Khor Fakkan — must-sees for cruise travellers
A cruise ship's call at Khor Fakkan typically lasts 6 to 10 hours, so travellers should decide their priorities in advance: stay in the scenic port town among the mountains, or head out on an excursion to Sharjah city or even Dubai (both about 1.5–2 hours' drive away). You will find a detailed list with addresses, opening hours and transfer options in the “Landmarks and Places of Interest” section; below is a short overview of the standout locations.
🏰 Portuguese Fort and Hisn Khor Fakkan Museum — the ruins of a 1635 fort and a modern museum built in the shape of an old citadel, with exhibits on the region's history.
🌊 Corniche waterfront and Khor Fakkan Beach — a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) stretch of coastline with a floodlit waterfall, cafes and views of the Hajar Mountains rolling straight down into the sea.
🕌 Al Bidya Mosque — the oldest mosque in the UAE (15th century), built of stone without a single nail, about 40 km (25 mi), or 35–40 minutes' drive, from the port.
🏔️ Al Rafisah Dam and Wadi Wurayah — turquoise pools set among sandstone mountains, popular for kayaking, with Wadi Wurayah also home to archaeological finds dating back as far as 300 BC.
🛍️ Souq Sharq and the Blue Souq — traditional markets selling spices, textiles and souvenirs, where haggling is part of the custom.
🦈 Shark Island — an island for snorkelling and diving, just a few minutes by boat from the port.
🕌 Al Noor Mosque and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization (Sharjah city) — among the most beautiful Islamic landmarks on the Persian Gulf, reachable for those choosing a longer excursion across the whole emirate.
✨ Why choose a cruise that calls at Sharjah
Sharjah — offers a rare chance to see the UAE without the gloss of skyscrapers, much as it looked before the oil boom.
First, there is the scenery: the Hajar Mountains drop straight down to the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman, with an old fort and fishing boats sitting alongside a modern waterfront. ⛰️
Second, there is authenticity: unlike the crowds of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan and Sharjah preserve the atmosphere of traditional Arab life — conservative, yet welcoming. 🕌
Third, there is the convenient location within the region's winter Persian Gulf itineraries: calls at Khor Fakkan combine easily in a single cruise with visits to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat, giving passengers the fullest possible picture of the region in one voyage. 🌊
The cruise specialists at Four Gates Group can help you choose the best Persian Gulf itinerary that includes a call at Sharjah, advise on when to plan an excursion into Sharjah city or Dubai, and offer attractive rates from MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and other leading brands we work with as a priority partner in Ukraine. 🤝
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general reference and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, itineraries and visiting conditions may change without notice, including due to the regional situation in the Middle East. For up-to-date information, please check with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
How to Get to the Cruise Terminal in Sharjah
Sharjah is one of those rare cases where an emirate's cruise port is physically located nowhere near where most travelers picture “the city of Sharjah.” Cruise ships call at Khor Fakkan Port — an exclave of the Sharjah emirate on the Gulf of Oman coast, more than 90 km (56 mi) from Sharjah city itself, which sits on the opposite, Persian Gulf coast. This is a large cargo harbor rather than a dedicated passenger terminal: ships dock at container berths, and a free port shuttle carries passengers ashore — walking through the port grounds on your own is prohibited. Below is a verified, step-by-step guide to every transfer option, current prices, and tips from the cruise specialists at Four Gates Group. 🎯
📍 Where Exactly Is Sharjah's Cruise Port
Khor Fakkan Port is the United Arab Emirates' second-largest container port, set in a scenic bay at the foot of the Hajar Mountains on the country's east coast (Gulf of Oman). There is no separate passenger cruise terminal building here: ships dock at cargo berths designed for vessels over 400 meters (1,312 ft) long. Cruise guests have access to an air-conditioned waiting lounge with Wi-Fi, a duty-free shop, a café, and a tourist information desk.
🚌 The port's golden rule: walking through the container terminal on your own is prohibited for safety reasons — a free shuttle bus runs from the ship's gangway to the port gate. Beyond the gate, taxis are waiting, or you can walk along the seafront corniche to central Khor Fakkan (about 20 minutes).
📌 GPS address: Khor Fakkan Port, Corniche Road, Khor Fakkan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
🗺️ Distances to major cities: about 24 km (15 mi) to Fujairah city, about 96 km (60 mi) to Sharjah city (west coast), about 105 km (65 mi) to Dubai, about 260 km (162 mi) to Abu Dhabi
❗ Important: your exact berth and shuttle arrival time are always listed on your cruise voucher — check them 48–72 hours before the call, since the port runs cargo and passenger operations simultaneously and the schedule can shift.
✈️ From the Nearest Airports to the Cruise Terminal
Khor Fakkan lies away from the UAE's main international gateways, so your route from the airport depends on where your flight lands. Here are three realistic options.
🛫 Fujairah International Airport (FJR) — the closest
A small regional airport 24–26 km (15–16 mi) from the port, served by direct and connecting flights from a number of Gulf countries.
• Travel time: 25–30 minutes by taxi
• Estimated taxi fare: around 70–90 AED
• Good to know: the fastest and most convenient option if your flight route allows you to land here
🛫 Dubai International Airport (DXB)
The UAE's main international gateway, where most flights from Ukraine and Europe arrive (via Istanbul, Warsaw, Doha, and other hubs).
• Distance: about 100 km (62 mi)
• Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes – 1 hour 40 minutes (depending on traffic and the Masafi mountain pass)
• Metered taxi: approximately 270–320 AED
• Private transfer: from 350 AED for a sedan (1–3 people), from 480 AED for a minivan (4–7 people) — fixed price, English-speaking driver with a name sign at arrivals, flight monitoring
🛫 Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
The country's second-busiest airport, popular with low-cost carriers.
• Distance: about 99 km (61 mi)
• Travel time: about 1 hour by car
• Metered taxi: approximately 270–310 AED
• Private transfer: from 340 AED for a sedan
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private transfers from any of the three airports straight to the port gate at Khor Fakkan — just share your flight number when booking your cruise.
🚌 SRTA Intercity Bus — a budget but slow option
The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority runs scheduled buses between Sharjah, Dubai, Sharjah Airport, and Khor Fakkan bus station, from where you still need a taxi to the port (10–15 minutes).
• Route 116 (Sharjah–Khor Fakkan, via Sharjah Airport, Al Dhaid, and Masafi): every 30 minutes, 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., about 2 hours on the road, fare 15–28 AED
• Route E700 (Dubai–Fujairah/Khor Fakkan): runs less frequently, about 1 hour 15 minutes on the road, fare 19–27 AED
• Payment: Nol card only (drivers do not accept cash) — cards can be bought at station kiosks
⚠️ Important: buses only reach Khor Fakkan's town bus station, not the port gate — from there it's another 3–4 km (1.9–2.5 mi) by taxi. This option is impractical with heavy luggage, so for embarkation-/disembarkation-day transfers we recommend a taxi or a private transfer.
🏙️ From Dubai or Sharjah, If You're Staying Overnight Before the Cruise
Given the significant distance between the cruise port and the popular hotel districts of Dubai and Sharjah, most travelers spend the night before boarding in one of these cities and head straight to the port the next morning.
🚕 Taxi from your hotel — the simplest option: book through an app (Careem, Uber, RTA Dubai Taxi) or at the hotel desk. Cost — the same estimated 270–320 AED, travel time — 1–1.5 hours.
🚐 Private transfer — the best choice for families and groups: the driver picks you up straight from the hotel at the scheduled time and takes you to the port gate with no transfers.
🚌 SRTA bus — Route 116 (from Sharjah) or E700 (from Dubai), described above, suits travelers packing light who aren't in a hurry.
💡 Tip from Four Gates: if your ship's call at Khor Fakkan is just one stop on a longer Persian Gulf cruise, and embarkation/disembarkation actually happens in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, this section doesn't apply to you — follow the instructions for your actual port of departure instead.
🚗 By Your Own Car — Parking Near the Port and Car Rental
If you're traveling by rental car, you can reach Khor Fakkan from Dubai or Sharjah via the scenic mountain route through the Masafi pass (highways E88 and E99) — the drive takes 1–1.5 hours.
🅿️ Parking in Khor Fakkan
The town has paid parking in several zones, the most convenient for port visitors being Sheikh Khaled Street and the corniche waterfront:
• Cost: 2 AED per hour, 5 AED for two hours, 8 AED for three hours, 12 AED for five hours
• Hours: daily, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (free on Sheikh Khaled Street on Fridays)
• Payment: via an on-site parking meter or SMS to short code 5566
• There is no official public parking for cruise guests right at the cargo port's gate — leave your car in a street parking spot in town and either walk or take a taxi the rest of the way
🚙 Car Rental
Rental desks are available at Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah airports (all major international brands plus local companies), as well as directly in Khor Fakkan and neighboring Fujairah. Estimated cost — from 90–120 AED per day for an economy car. To drive in the UAE, Ukrainian citizens need their national driving licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP).
💡 Tip: the mountain road through Masafi is scenic but has steep climbs and descents — build in extra time, especially after dark.
♿ Accessibility for Passengers with Reduced Mobility
Khor Fakkan Port is only partially adapted for guests with reduced mobility — the infrastructure here is less developed than at major European ports:
✅ The port shuttle bus is equipped to carry wheelchair passengers
✅ SRTA buses have low floors and wheelchair spaces
✅ Port lounge staff are on hand to help with boarding the shuttle
⚠️ Specialized (Eurotaxi-type) vehicles for passengers with reduced mobility are practically unavailable in Khor Fakkan — arrange this kind of transport in advance through your cruise line or Four Gates Group
✅ Cruise lines calling at Khor Fakkan generally provide gangway assistance — let them know about your needs when booking
⏰ When to Arrive at the Cruise Terminal
Khor Fakkan is exclusively a port of call: no ships are homeported here, and there is no embarkation or disembarkation at the start or end of a cruise — ships simply anchor for a one- or two-day call as part of a longer Persian Gulf or Arabian Sea itinerary.
🔵 The main rule — the “all aboard” deadline: you must be back on board 60–90 minutes before the ship's stated departure time — the exact time is always printed on your boarding pass and announced onboard the day before the call.
🔵 The last shuttle from the port gate to the gangway usually leaves 45–60 minutes before departure — plan your return from any excursion around this time, not the ship's actual sailing time.
❗ Being late means the ship will leave without you — Khor Fakkan is a remote port with no fast direct link to major cities, so catching up with the ship on your own would be both expensive and difficult. Every Four Gates Group voucher includes the exact shuttle boarding time for your specific cruise.
💡 Insider Tips from Four Gates Group's Experts
Over years of working with UAE ports, our cruise specialists have gathered tips to help you spend a comfortable day in Khor Fakkan:
📋 Book your excursion or transfer in advance. There aren't many free taxis at the port gate, especially when several ships call at once — a pre-booked transfer saves you from a long wait.
💵 Carry cash in dirhams. Cards aren't accepted everywhere in Khor Fakkan and the surrounding area — especially at markets and small cafés. Exchanging currency at the port itself is difficult, so plan your cash in advance.
👗 Dress modestly. Khor Fakkan is a conservative region, not a tourist resort like Dubai: cover shoulders and knees outside the beach area, and drinking or carrying alcohol in public places is prohibited.
☀️ Protect yourself from the sun. There's almost no shade on the walk from the port gate to the waterfront, and summer temperatures reach 40°C (104°F) and above — a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water are essential.
📱 Download an offline map and translator app in advance. Mobile signal in the mountains along the Masafi pass can be unreliable.
🚕 Don't get into an unlicensed taxi. Official taxis in Sharjah and Fujairah have a meter and branded livery; always ask the driver to switch the meter on, even when negotiating a full-day trip.
🏔️ Build in extra time for the mountain road. If you're traveling by your own car or public transport rather than an organized excursion, allow an extra 20–30 minutes for the Masafi pass, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic.
📞 Contacts for Cruise Passengers in Sharjah
Sharjah Ports Authority (port administration):+971 6 528 16 66
Sharjah Taxi dispatch (SRTA):600 52 52 52
Sharjah International Airport — customer service:+971 6 558 11 11
UAE emergency services (police): 999
UAE emergency services (ambulance): 998
UAE emergency services (fire department): 997
Four Gates Group cruise specialists (24/7 for clients):+38 097 653 05 53
Logistics for a call at Khor Fakkan are a bit more involved than at most Mediterranean ports — the sheer distance and mountainous terrain call for slightly more careful planning of your day. But with the right preparation, this stop becomes one of the most atmospheric moments of a Persian Gulf cruise: instead of a familiar city port, you get a quiet bay tucked among the Hajar Mountains. The cruise experts at Four Gates Group help our clients plan every step — from choosing the right arrival airport to arranging a private transfer straight to the port gate. Reach out to your manager, and your day in Sharjah will go off without a hitch. 🛳️✨
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is provided for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes, and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant venues.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals
Top Attractions in Sharjah: A Complete Guide for Cruise Travelers
Sharjah is the third-largest emirate in the UAE and the country's cultural capital, but the cruise ships that call here don't dock beside the skyscrapers on the Persian Gulf — they berth on the emirate's opposite, eastern shore, at the port of Khor Fakkan, on the Gulf of Oman. This is an exclave of Sharjah, separated from the “mainland” emirate by the Hajar Mountains, and it's here that a typical cruise call lasts 8–10 hours. In that time it's worth seeing Khor Fakkan's main landmarks — a Colosseum-style amphitheatre, a historic fort-museum, the country's oldest mosque and a mountain dam with a waterfall — and, if you're up for it, heading inland for the whole day to Fujairah or even Dubai. Below is a verified guide with up-to-date 2026 prices, opening hours and precise directions from the cruise pier to every site. 🎯
🏛️ 1. Khorfakkan Amphitheatre
💡 Interesting facts and background:
The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is the region's youngest but most striking landmark, built at the foot of Jebel Al Sayed right above the coastline. Its architects drew inspiration from the Roman Colosseum: the structure has 295 columns and 234 arches, with a façade of white limestone brought in from Oman. 🏛️
🔹 The complex covers roughly 1,700 m² (18,300 sq ft), and its tiers seat more than 3,500 spectators.
🔹 Right next to the amphitheatre is a man-made waterfall 45 m (148 ft) high, with a café, restaurant and event hall alongside it.
🔹 The open-air stage is fitted with a modern climate-control system, so concerts stay comfortable even in the heat.
🔹 The upper tiers offer one of the best panoramas of the Khorfakkan corniche and the Gulf of Oman.
📜 History:
The amphitheatre opened in 2020 under Sharjah's ruler, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, as part of a large-scale programme to develop tourism infrastructure on the east coast. Blending the classical amphitheatre form with Islamic decorative motifs made the complex one of the most photogenic new landmarks in the UAE — today it hosts concerts, festivals and cultural events of regional stature.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• On foot: along the corniche, 25–30 minutes
• Taxi: 5–10 minutes, roughly AED 15–20
📌 Address: Rugaylat Road, Al Mudaifi, Khor Fakkan
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Viewing the grounds, waterfall and corniche: free
• Tickets to concerts and events: priced per event, confirmed separately
⚠️ Important: on days with no scheduled event, you may not be able to go inside the amphitheatre — check the programme ahead of time, or settle for viewing it from outside and strolling by the waterfall.
🏰 2. Hisn Khor Fakkan Fort-Museum
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Hisn Khor Fakkan is a small but rich museum right on the corniche, telling the story of 5,000 years of history on the UAE's east coast. 🏺
🔹 The exhibition spans everything from the Bronze Age (3000 BC) to the present — finds from settlements, rare inscriptions and artefacts from the region's trading past.
🔹 The museum highlights the influence of the Al Qasimi clan, which historically controlled maritime trade along this stretch of coast.
🔹 The story is told through photographs, 3D models and interactive technology — a visit takes roughly 40–60 minutes.
📜 History:
An original fort stood on this site as far back as the 16th century, when Khor Fakkan was a flashpoint between local rulers and the Portuguese, who were trying to control trade routes on the Gulf of Oman. The present building was reconstructed in April 2019, recreating the architecture of a mid-20th-century fort, and turned into a museum run by the Sharjah Museums Authority.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• On foot: along the corniche, 20–25 minutes
• Taxi: 5 minutes, roughly AED 10–15
📌 Address: Corniche Street, 189, Khor Fakkan
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Adults (13+): AED 10
• Children 2–12: AED 5
• Under 2, people with disabilities, and those 60+ with a companion: free
• Opening hours: Saturday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., Friday 4:00–8:00 p.m. (reduced hours during Ramadan)
🕌 3. Al Bidya Mosque
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Al Bidya Mosque is considered the oldest surviving mosque in the UAE — it stands 25–30 km (16–19 mi) from Khor Fakkan, on the coastal road between Dibba and Khor Fakkan, already within the emirate of Fujairah. 🕌
🔹 The building is made of stone and sun-dried mud, with four small domes resting on a single central pillar instead of a minaret.
🔹 The mosque covers only about 53 m² (570 sq ft) and can hold roughly 70 worshippers.
🔹 Inside, four arches divide the space into uneven sections, with small square windows for natural light.
🔹 Nearby stand old watchtowers that once kept watch over the coastline.
📜 History:
Research suggests the mosque was built around 1446, making it one of the oldest Islamic places of worship in the country. Despite its modest size, it's regarded as an important monument of early Islamic architecture on the Arabian Peninsula and one of the few buildings in the region to have survived in nearly original condition.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• Taxi or private transfer: 30–35 minutes, roughly AED 60–80 one way
• There's no regular public transport on the east coast, so the best options are a taxi, a rental car or an organised tour
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Entry: free
• Visiting hours: no official schedule — viewable during daylight hours
👕 Dress code: shoulders and knees covered; women should bring a light headscarf — this is a working mosque, not a museum piece.
💧 4. Al Rafisah Dam
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Al Rafisah Dam is an artificial lake in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains that locals have made their favourite spot for family outings. 🚣
🔹 It features a man-made waterfall 55 m (180 ft) high, ringed with greenery that stands out sharply against the desert landscape around it.
🔹 A 730 m (2,400 ft) walking trail with benches runs along the water.
🔹 On the lake you can rent a kayak or pedal boat and feed the ducks that live in this part of the reservoir.
🔹 In autumn and winter, migratory birds stop here — a favourite spot for birdwatchers.
📜 History:
The dam was built as a reservoir to serve local communities in the Hajar Mountains. The area around the lake was later developed into a recreational zone with a café, craft stalls and a small mosque — today it's one of the most popular inland trips for visitors to Khor Fakkan wanting to see “the other” Sharjah: mountainous and green.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• Taxi: 15–20 minutes into the mountains, roughly AED 25–35 one way
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Entry to the grounds: free
• Opening hours: open 24 hours
• Kayak (30 minutes, two-seater): AED 30
• Pedal boat (30 minutes): AED 45–60
• Group “doughnut” boat: AED 100
• Parking: free, 45 spaces
🏖️ 5. The Corniche, Khor Fakkan Beach and Snoopy Island
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Khor Fakkan sits in a scenic, crescent-shaped bay facing east, onto the open Gulf of Oman — hence the clear water and the swell, both unusual for the Persian Gulf. 🌊
🔹 The town beach has a wide pedestrian corniche, children's playgrounds and shaded rest areas.
🔹 A few kilometres south, off Al Aqah Beach, sits a small rocky islet that tourists have nicknamed “Snoopy Island” for its distinctive shape. It's one of the UAE's most popular snorkelling spots — the reef lies just metres from shore.
🔹 The clear water around the island is home to colourful reef fish — the Arabian boxfish, butterflyfish, angelfish and parrotfish.
🔹 The best time to snorkel is in the morning, before 10:30 a.m., while the water is calm and the sun isn't yet at its peak.
📜 History:
Khor Fakkan's bay has served as a natural harbour for the east coast's fishing communities since ancient times — its deep-water entrance made it a convenient anchorage for ships long before the modern port existed. Today the shoreline is fully set up for tourists, though fishing remains a key part of local life, as the morning fish market by the port still shows.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• Corniche and town beach: on foot, 15–20 minutes
• Snoopy Island (Al Aqah Beach): taxi, 25–30 minutes, roughly AED 40–55 one way
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Entry to the town beach and Snoopy Island: free, open 24 hours
• Mask and snorkel rental: available on-site at beach rental stands
⚠️ Tip: swimwear is only appropriate on the resort-zone beaches — on the town beach and corniche in Khor Fakkan, dress more modestly.
🐟 6. The Old Souq and Fish Market
💡 Interesting facts and background:
Right by the port exit, where the free port shuttle drops you off, sits Khor Fakkan's small but atmospheric old souq. 🦐
🔹 Around 17 stalls operate here in traditional Arabian style, selling fresh fish, seafood, spices, textiles and local delicacies.
🔹 The fish market is busiest in the morning, when fishermen bring in the day's catch straight from their boats.
🔹 Next door is a produce market and a handful of souvenir stalls.
📜 History:
Trade in fish and spices was happening in this bay long before the modern cargo port existed — for centuries Khor Fakkan was a key stop on the maritime trade route along the Gulf of Oman. The present-day souq keeps that atmosphere alive, even if it's now geared towards tourists.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• On foot: right at the port exit, 5–10 minutes
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Entry: free
• Fish market: busiest in the morning
• Produce market and stalls: throughout the day
🗼 7. Al Adwani Tower
💡 Interesting facts and background:
A low tower on a hilltop above the corniche is one of Khor Fakkan's landmarks, giving a view over the town, the mountains and the port all at once. 🌅
🔹 A winding, lit path leads to the top — the climb takes just a few minutes, and the view is worth it.
🔹 The tower is clearly visible from the corniche and from a ship's deck as it approaches the pier.
📜 History:
The original tower was built back in 1623 as a lighthouse to help ships find their way into Khor Fakkan's harbour. It was destroyed in 1985, but was later rebuilt on the historic site, preserving its authentic look.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• On foot: along the corniche, 20–25 minutes
• Taxi: 5–10 minutes, roughly AED 10–15
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Entry and climb: open access
• Best time to visit: early morning or early evening, once the heat eases
⛰️ 8. Fujairah Fort and Museum — a Side Trip
💡 Interesting facts and background:
If you have time left after Khor Fakkan, it's worth extending the route to the neighbouring emirate of Fujairah — its capital preserves some of the east coast's oldest fortifications. 🏯
🔹 The Fujairah Museum occupies a small red-stone building with five exhibition halls.
🔹 Exhibits include tools, period clothing and weapons, plus a 3rd-century BC ostrich egg and a U-shaped tomb roughly 4,000 years old.
🔹 Seeing the whole exhibition takes about 30–40 minutes.
🔹 Right next door stands Fujairah Fort, one of the UAE's oldest fortresses, with an inner courtyard and watchtowers.
📜 History:
The fort and its surrounding fortifications historically defended the town against raids from the sea and from the mountains — the region has long been an important link between the coast and the interior of the Arabian Peninsula. Today the complex is Fujairah's main historic landmark.
🚢 Getting there from the Khor Fakkan cruise pier:
• Taxi: 25–30 minutes (about 24 km / 15 mi), roughly AED 65–85 one way
💶 Cost and opening hours:
• Fujairah Museum: AED 5
• Museum hours: Sunday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m., Friday 2:30–6:30 p.m.
• Fujairah Fort: grounds and courtyard viewing
🎨 9. Other Sites and Activities Worth Knowing About
• 🦈 Shark Island — a small rocky island just outside the port, popular for short boat trips and snorkelling among fish and coral.
• 💦 Wadi Wurayah National Park — the UAE's first protected nature reserve, in the Hajar Mountains (about 70 km / 43 mi from Khor Fakkan), with a year-round waterfall and rare species including the Arabian tahr. Access is tightly restricted: visits are only possible in organised groups, mostly on Saturdays during the season (October), booked in advance through the official operator Fujairah Holidays, from AED 300 per person. Plan this trip well ahead — not on the day your ship calls.
• 🪂 Parasailing and water sports — available on Khor Fakkan and Al Aqah beaches through local water-sports operators.
• 🗺️ The Nahwa and Madha enclaves — a geographical curiosity 30–40 minutes from Khor Fakkan: the Omani village of Nahwa sits inside UAE territory, while it is itself surrounded by the Omani exclave of Madha. Fascinating for curious travellers, but check the border rules in advance.
• 🏙️ Dubai as a long day-trip option — about 130 km (81 mi), roughly 1 hour 25 minutes one way, from Khor Fakkan. For those willing to spend most of their time in port on the road, it's a realistic, if demanding, way to see the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall (see the premium route below for details).
🗺️ Three Self-Guided Routes Through Khor Fakkan and Sharjah in 9 Hours
A cruise call at Khor Fakkan typically lasts 8–10 hours. Since there's less hotel development and fewer sights here than in major European ports, and the distances between them are fairly significant, seeing 3–6 locations is realistic, depending on your pace and budget. Below are three route options.
🥉 Route 1. Budget — roughly AED 70–100 per person
⏱️ Total time: 6.5 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: AED 70–100 + souvenirs
🕘 9:00 a.m. — Leave the cruise pier
Free port shuttle to the port exit (you can't walk through the port area on your own).
🕘 9:00–9:20 a.m. — Walk along the corniche to central Khor Fakkan
🕤 9:20–10:00 a.m. — Old souq and fish market
Free browsing, fresh fruit and a taste of local delicacies.
🕙 10:00–10:45 a.m. — Al Adwani Tower
Climb to the top for a panorama of the town, mountains and port. Free entry.
🕥 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and waterfall
A walk around the grounds, photos against the “Colosseum” and the man-made waterfall.
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m. — Lunch at a seafood restaurant near the port
The day's catch, a set meal for two — roughly AED 70 (that is, AED 35–40 per person).
🕐 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Hisn Khor Fakkan fort-museum
AED 10 entry, exploring 5,000 years of regional history.
🕑 2:00–3:00 p.m. — Swimming and relaxing on the Khor Fakkan corniche
Free.
🕒 3:00–3:30 p.m. — Head back to the port
On foot or via the port shuttle.
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Port shuttle: free
• Hisn museum entry: AED 10
• Lunch: AED 35–40
• Water, souvenirs, buffer: AED 20–30
💸 TOTAL: AED 65–80 per person
🥈 Route 2. Balanced — roughly AED 250–350 per person
⏱️ Total time: 8 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: AED 300 + food
🕗 8:30 a.m. — Leave the port by private taxi (hired for the whole route)
🕗 8:30–9:10 a.m. — Drive to Al Bidya Mosque (30–35 min)
🕘 9:10–9:45 a.m. — Al Bidya Mosque and watchtowers
The UAE's oldest mosque, free entry. Don't forget the dress code.
🕙 9:45–10:15 a.m. — Drive to Fujairah (20–25 min)
🕥 10:15–11:00 a.m. — Fujairah Fort and Museum
AED 5 entry, exploring the fort and museum collection.
🕚 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Lunch at a seafood restaurant in Fujairah
Roughly AED 60–80 per person.
🕛 12:00–12:40 p.m. — Drive back to Khor Fakkan (30–40 min)
🕐 12:40–1:40 p.m. — Al Rafisah Dam
A walk along the trail, kayaking or a pedal boat (AED 30–45).
🕑 1:40–2:30 p.m. — Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and waterfall
🕒 2:30–3:15 p.m. — Hisn museum and old souq
AED 10 entry, souvenirs at the souq.
🕞 3:15–4:00 p.m. — Head back to the port
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Car with driver (7–7.5 hrs): from AED 350 for a group of up to 4 (roughly AED 90–100 per person)
• Fujairah Museum: AED 5
• Hisn museum: AED 10
• Kayaking at the dam: AED 30
• Lunch: AED 60–80
💸 TOTAL: AED 195–225 per person (for a group of 4; smaller groups pay proportionally more)
💡 Skip the trip to Fujairah and stick to Khor Fakkan and Al Rafisah Dam, and the route shrinks to 5–6 hours, with taxi costs roughly halved.
🥇 Route 3. Premium — a private tour with a trip to Dubai, from AED 1,800 per group
⏱️ Total time: 9 hours | 💰 Estimated budget: AED 1,800–2,500 per group + tickets
🏆 What's included:
• ✅ A private driver and guide meeting you right at the gangway
• ✅ A comfortable car or minivan for the whole day
• ✅ A professional, licensed English- or Ukrainian-speaking guide
• ✅ Skip-the-line tickets to the Burj Khalifa
• ✅ A table reservation at a restaurant in Dubai
• ✅ A flexible itinerary — adjusted on the fly to your ship's departure time
Book through your cruise manager, or get in touch with us however suits you:
Phone:
• Office: +38 (044) 337 82 01
• Mobile (LifeCell): +380 93 653 05 53
• Mobile (Vodafone): +380 66 653 05 53
• Mobile (Kyivstar): +380 97 653 05 53
Email us
🕗 8:00 a.m. — Meet your driver and guide at the cruise pier
🕗 8:00–9:25 a.m. — Drive to Dubai (about 130 km / 81 mi, 1 hr 25 min)
🕘 9:25–11:00 a.m. — Burj Khalifa
Skip-the-line access to floors 124–125, an observation deck more than 450 m (1,480 ft) up. Ticket price is roughly AED 150–220, depending on the time slot.
🕚 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. — Dubai Mall and the dancing fountains
A stroll, some shopping, photos in front of the world's largest shopping mall.
🕧 12:15–1:15 p.m. — Lunch at a restaurant in Dubai
Roughly from AED 150 per person. Booking is handled by your guide.
🕐 1:15–2:40 p.m. — Drive back to Khor Fakkan
🕝 2:40–3:40 p.m. — Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and waterfall
An unhurried, private visit, crowd-free.
🕞 3:40–4:20 p.m. — Hisn museum and old souq
Souvenirs, local spices and textiles.
🕟 4:30 p.m. — Return to the port in a comfortable car
💰 Cost breakdown:
• Private guide (9 hrs): from AED 800
• Driver with car (9 hrs, including the round trip to Dubai): from AED 700
• Burj Khalifa tickets: AED 150–220 per person
• Lunch in Dubai: from AED 150 per person
💸 TOTAL: from AED 1,800–2,500 per group of up to 4 (for 2 people, this is a per-group, not per-person, cost)
⚠️ This is a demanding route with long drives — choose it only if you're willing to spend most of the day travelling for the sake of Dubai. For a more relaxed day, we recommend Route 2.
🤝 Four Gates Group arranges private tours of Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Dubai with licensed guides, gangway-to-gangway transfers and a guaranteed return to your ship. Get in touch with your cruise specialist, and your day on the UAE's east coast will be planned exactly to your taste. 🛳️✨
⚠️ Good to Know Before You Go Ashore
🕐 The “all aboard” rule: be back on the ship 60 minutes before departure. If you're late, the ship won't wait, and catching up with it at the next port will be at your own expense.
🚕 Public transport: there's practically none in Khor Fakkan or along the east coast — get around using the port shuttle, taxis, a rental car or an organised tour.
🪪 Documents: bring a photocopy of your passport and your cruise Ship Card.
💵 Cash: carry AED 100–200 in cash — cards aren't always accepted at the souq, in car parks, or at small cafés.
🍷 Alcohol: Sharjah is a “dry” emirate — selling and consuming alcohol is banned throughout its territory, including Khor Fakkan. Rules are looser in restaurants in Dubai and Fujairah, but drinking in public places is banned everywhere in the UAE.
👗 Dress code: the UAE is a Muslim country with conservative traditions. In public places and at the souq, keep shoulders and knees covered; at Al Bidya Mosque, this is mandatory.
☀️ Sun protection: even in winter, temperatures reach +25…+30 °C (77–86 °F), and in summer, over +40 °C (104 °F). A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water are essential.
📱 Connectivity: mobile data is available at the port and in central Khor Fakkan, and free Wi-Fi is offered at some cafés. Download an offline map ahead of time for navigation.
🚫 Photography: avoid photographing government and port facilities, as well as people without their consent — this applies throughout the UAE.
ℹ️ Please note: the information on this page is for general guidance and was accurate at the time of publication. Prices, schedules, routes and visiting conditions may change without notice. Please confirm current details with a Four Gates Group cruise specialist or on the official websites of the relevant sites.
FOUR GATES GROUP — Cruises by Professionals