The UAE's most famous snorkelling spot — a small rocky island just 50 metres from the beach at Sandy Beach Hotel, with extraordinary coral gardens, sea turtles, reef sharks and the most accessible and spectacular marine life in the Emirates
Flight Time
7h to Dubai + 1.5h transfer
Best Time
October to April
Country
Fujairah, UAE
Suppliers
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Snoopy Island is the finest snorkelling destination in the UAE — sea turtles, reef sharks, extraordinary coral gardens and the most accessible marine life in the Emirates make it unmissable. Just 50 metres from the beach at the Sandy Beach Hotel. 1.5 hours from Dubai.
October to April is ideal. Hire snorkel gear from the Sandy Beach Hotel.
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Jan
21°C
Feb
22°C
Mar
26°C
Apr
30°C
May
34°C
Jun
36°C
Jul
37°C
Aug
37°C
Sep
35°C
Oct
31°C
Nov
27°C
Dec
22°C
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Call 01282 960 460Sea turtles, reef sharks, extraordinary coral gardens and the most accessible marine snorkelling in the UAE that make Snoopy Island the finest snorkelling destination in the Emirates.
Snoopy Island has the finest and most accessible snorkelling in the UAE — the coral gardens around the island are extraordinary, with a diverse marine life including sea turtles (almost guaranteed sightings), reef sharks (blacktip and whitetip), rays (including eagle rays and stingrays), moray eels, lionfish, parrotfish, angelfish and large schools of reef fish. The snorkelling is accessible directly from the beach — simply swim the 50 metres to the island and the coral begins immediately. The water is clear and warm year-round.
Snoopy Island is the best place in the UAE to see sea turtles in the wild — green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen around the island, feeding on the seagrass beds and resting on the coral. Sightings are almost guaranteed during a snorkelling session and the turtles are completely unafraid of snorkellers. The sea turtle encounters at Snoopy Island are among the most reliable and accessible in the world and are the highlight of any visit to Fujairah.
The Sandy Beach Hotel is the best base for Snoopy Island — a simple, characterful beach hotel directly on the beach opposite the island, with a private beach, a pool, a dive centre and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. The hotel is the most popular destination for divers and snorkellers in Fujairah and has an excellent dive centre offering guided dives, PADI courses and snorkelling equipment hire. The hotel is significantly more affordable than the luxury resorts of Al Aqah and has a genuine charm.
Snoopy Island is also an excellent dive site — the underwater topography around the island includes coral walls, swim-throughs, caves and a variety of dive sites suitable for all levels. The dive sites around the island include the famous 'Snoopy Island Wall' (a coral wall dropping to 18 metres) and the 'Snoopy Island Pinnacle' (a coral pinnacle rising from 20 metres). The diving is accessible to beginners and is the finest in the Al Aqah area.
Snoopy Island is the finest underwater photography destination in the UAE — the clear water, the diverse marine life and the accessible snorkelling make it ideal for underwater photography. The sea turtles, reef sharks and rays are the most photogenic subjects and are frequently encountered at close range. Underwater cameras and GoPros are available for hire from the Sandy Beach Hotel dive centre. The best light for underwater photography is in the morning (9am–12pm).
Snoopy Island is located at the northern end of Al Aqah Beach — the finest beach in Fujairah and one of the most beautiful in the UAE. The beach is a long, clean stretch of sand with calm, warm water, excellent facilities and a pleasant, uncrowded atmosphere. The Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort and the Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah are both on Al Aqah Beach and offer excellent beach facilities for guests. The beach is the best base for a Fujairah beach holiday.
Snoopy Island has one of the most dramatic settings of any snorkelling destination in the world — the Hajar Mountains rise steeply from the beach to over 1,500 metres, creating an extraordinary backdrop of grey limestone cliffs and green wadis. The contrast between the turquoise Indian Ocean, the white sandy beach and the dramatic mountains is extraordinary. The mountain backdrop makes Snoopy Island one of the most photogenic snorkelling destinations in the world.
Snoopy Island is at the Sandy Beach Hotel in Al Aqah, 1.5 hours from Dubai by car. Snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) is available for hire from the Sandy Beach Hotel dive centre. The island is accessible by swimming from the beach — the crossing is 50 metres and is suitable for confident swimmers. Non-swimmers can use a life jacket. The best time for snorkelling is in the morning (9am–12pm) when the light is best and the sea is calmest. October to April is the best season.
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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