An enclave of Oman is only a 1.5 hours drive from Dubai. On the East Coast of the UAE, above Fujairah is Dibba. The area of Dibba is actually divided into three segments – Fujairah, Sharjah and Oman. For this camping in Dibba trip we crossed the border into Oman and moved up the coast. A perfect, remote escape from city life, unplug yourself for 24 hours with no phone signal and enjoy the simple life. Read on for our experience camping in Dibba, Oman….
Border to Camping in Dibba
An easy border cross, bring your passport. You will need a pre-arranged tourist visa which a hotel or tour company can arrange. There is no stamp or paperwork at this border. Ensure that you have the correct Oman Insurance for your car or you will not be allowed to drive through the border.
Hiking in Dibba
We parked the car overnight at the harbour and met our guide Mohammed from Enjoy Musandam who drove us to the beach. Walk along the beach, up some rocky mountains and over the cliff. The beach is full of beautiful shells and we even spotted a huge starfish. There are some ruins of old houses that used to exist on the beach as well as plenty of goats scrambling around the mountains.
The climb up the cliff was pretty straightforward, the boys managed it fine stopping for snacks and water a couple of times. Once you reached the top you will have a gorgeous view of the coastline. On the descent the boat was waiting to take us to the campsite ready for camping in Dibba.
The descent down to the beach was a little longer than the hike up. We opted to go the longer way around to meet the boat and had fun sliding down big boulders and walking around some rocky paths. Mohammed, our guide, always went ahead testing out the path. As well as helping the boys to climb down where needed. He was also more than happy to walk at our pace, stopping regularly, carrying our bag for us and finding shade along the way.
I wouldn’t recommend attempting this hike alone, especially with children. The hike took us in total around 2-3 hours. Make sure to get in touch with Enjoy Musandam who will arrange everything for you.
Booking.comBoat to Dibba Campsite
A traditional dhow boat with plenty of space. We were so lucky to be on the trip alone so we had the whole run of the boat to ourselves. There is a lower and upper deck, 2 toilets, sinks and a speed boat, kayak, banana boat and snorkeling gear. Everything we needed for camping in Dibba.
A speed boat picked us up from the beach and brought us onto the dhow where we sailed alongside the rocky coastline. Further along, we sailed past the luxury Six Senses resort and some local villages. Eventually arriving at a beautiful bay where we anchored ready for camping in Dibba. The area reminded us of Halong Bay, Vietnam with the dramatic cliffs and secluded, calm waters.
We spent a few hours here swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and eating lunch. Mohammed and his team from Enjoy Musandam completely looked after us. They helped the boys fishing and kept us topped up with lots of food and drink. Another bonus was them going over to the beach and setting up camp for us on the beach. A relaxing experience whilst camping in Dibba.
Campsite in Dibba
Everything was provided for us and we had a big family tent on the beach, as well as a BBQ for dinner and a camp fire. There is a man who lives on the beach in a small house with goats, chickens and his dog. He made the fire for us and cooked big BBQ feast with fresh fish – completely spoilt.
We enjoyed spending the evening playing cricket and football and swimming in the sea. When it got dark the stars twinkling in the sky above us were mesmorising. We were lucky enough to be treated to an incredibly full, bright moon.
Tip: Bring earplugs with you as the cockerel likes to crow throughout the night! Football or cricket bat and buckets and spades – anything you want for playing on the beach.
Also, tissue – there is no toilet on the beach so you will need to find a rock to hide behind. Alternatively, they can bring you over to the big boat to use the actual toilet if you need to.
The Next Day…
We woke up to the sunrise over the mountain and goats being let out for the day. Enjoyed another campfire and the peace and tranquility of being in such an isolated place, cut off from the world. Camping in Dibba it was hard to believe we were so close to Dubai.
In the morning we were collected from the beach and brought back to the dhow for a full breakfast spread of cereal, toast, croissants, eggs, juice and coffee. Chilling on the boat for a few hours before heading home; swimming, reading, fishing.
Finally, we sailed back to the harbour and the car. Elis and Dylan were allowed to drive the boat which they absolutely loved.
To Book Camping in Dibba
Contact Mohammed at Enjoy Musandam on their website or on Instagram. The price is 400dhs per adult and 200dhs per child which includes everything; the hiking, the boat, watersports, the camping and all the food.
What you Need
Good shoes for hiking, swimming gear, towels, beach games – football/cricket etc, sun cream, earplugs and a power bank to charge any devices. All food and camping gear is included.
If you love adventure and outdoor life you will not regret booking this trip. A truly memorable experience only a short distance from Dubai. We will be back!
If you enjoyed reading this post camping in Dibba, Oman please do check out our other Oman posts. Read here for a Dubai to Oman road trip or a weekend in Musandam. There is lots of information on How to Spend a Weekend in Muscat and read about some wadis we have visited like Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Bani Khalid. Head over to our everything you need to know about Dubai and the UAE page where you can also find 10 day trips from Dubai. Or if you are looking for something different check out our destinations page for lots of family travel ideas.
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