The breathtaking reefs of Snoopy Island are one of the best snorkeling spots in the United Arab Emirates where you can come across different types of fish, turtles, and even blacktip reef sharks. Snoopy Island is surrounded by crystal clear waters, pristine beaches, and majestic mountains. And if you are seeking tranquility and peace of mind from busy cities like Dubai, surely you will find it here.
If you read my blog often, you know that I usually do not talk about popular places. But Snoopy Island is an exception from the rule that I decided to write about for many different reasons like it is the most accessible snorkeling spot in the UAE; even despite being a very popular location for camping, it still remains relatively clean and of course – because of its unique beauty – it is hard to find another place like that in the UAE.
The beach near Snoopy Island was also the first one that I have ever camped at in the UAE, even before I had a 4×4 vehicle so it has a very sentimental meaning for me.
SNOOPY ISLAND – THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME
Snoopy Island or Snoopy Rock is a common name for an island that is locally called in Arabic Jazirat Al Aqqa (جزيرة العقة). Al Aqah (العقة) is a coastal town nearby and jazira (جزيرة) means an island. Sometimes you could also hear people calling it Jazirat Snubi (جزيرة سنوبي) however the correct name of it mentioned in the books is Jazirat Al Ghubbah (جزيرة الغبّة). Snoopy is a cartoon character. The contour of the island resembles Snoopy lying on his back and therefore, this small rock off the northern coast of the Emirate of Fujairah was named after it.
THE MOST ACCESSIBLE SNORKELING SPOT IN THE UAE
Snoopy Island in a straight line is located about 200 meters from the mainland. It can be reached in several different ways. Option number one is to book a stay or buy a daily pass at the Sandy Beach Resort which costs 105 AED/person on a weekday and 130 AED/person on a weekend.
When it is low tide, you can almost walk to the island on an artificial sand path. In case of high tide, you will need to swim a short distance to reach Snoopy Island. It is forbidden to walk around the island not to destroy the coral reefs. There is a designated place that you can stop at and rest. I would also recommend having shoes with you, so you do not injure your feet on sharp rocks.
It is good to have your own snorkeling equipment as well (you can get it from Decathlon), as you would need to pay a fee for renting it from the hotel. The same goes for kayak and standup paddleboard.
Another way to get to the island is to swim about 450 meters from the nearby Al Aqah Beach (25.490221, 56.360575). This can be done by kayak or standup paddleboard. However, sometimes the sea on the east coast of the UAE can be very rough, so you need to be careful. I would not recommend snorkeling when the waves are big, because then they can quickly and brutally carry you to the rocks of Snoopy Island.
Alternatively, you can also rent a boat to reach Snoopy Island, but if you would consider this option, I would rather recommend going to Shark Island or Martini Rock, which are further away and perhaps providing better snorkeling opportunities.
TURN IT INTO A CAMPING ADVENTURE!
Thanks to the beautiful surroundings, the cleanliness of the beach (there are people here taking care of the beach every day and cleaning it), and easy accessibility, this area is a very popular camping destination, especially in winter. Al Aqah Beach (25.490221, 56.360575) near Sandy Beach Resort in particular is even accessible to people who do not have a 4×4 vehicle.
You can leave your car by the road and carry your equipment a few meters towards the beach. There is no public toilet nearby. The closest one is at the gas station here: 25.510908, 56.361880.
It tends to get a little bit noisy in the evenings, due to gatherings and mornings – quads, and cars drifting on the beach and jet skis, having fun on the sea. It is more definitely quieter on a regular weekday.
If you have 4×4 vehicle, you can set up your tent on the other side of Al Aqah Beach (25.518112, 56.369278), where there is much more space allowing you to have a little bit more privacy than on the beach facing Snoopy Island.
Watch my videos about the trips I made to Snoopy Island to admire the mesmerizing underwater world of the Arabian Sea:
REMEMBER:
- Do not leave any garbage behind, including food. Even organic waste can take months to biodegrade and meanwhile it will attract animals. It may make them stop eating their natural food and rely on what humans leave behind and make them sick.
- Have always a bag ready to collect trash left behind by other inconsiderate people – in the end, you are saving nature.
- Hike or camp over gravel and rocks. In some areas, the vegetation can take years to grow back.
- Leave natural and historical items where you find them.
- Minimize cooking over a campfire, use the stove instead – it is less impact on the wilderness.
UAE OFF-ROADER GUIDE
If you are looking for more off-road trails to discover around the United Arab Emirates, I can recommend this ultimate guide that is packed with many routes, giving very detailed information and answering all questions you could have about off-roading in the UAE.
You can get it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3eQMBbr
FIELD GUIDE TO EMIRATES
To learn more about UAE’s natural & archaeological treasures, check: https://www.fieldguidetoemirates.com
I hope you found this article about Snoopy Island helpful and it gave you an idea of where to head to next weekend. If you are looking for more beaches in the UAE, I recommend you to check: Astonishing Turquoise of Saraya Island or Hidden Beach in Khorfakkan – A Tiny Paradise.
