Emirate Umm Al Quwain Travel Guide!

Umm Al Quwain (أمّ القيوين) is an emirate between Ajman and Ra’s al Khaymah on the west coast of the United Arab Emirates. It stretches from the beautiful, lush green coastal mangroves lining the shores of the Persian Gulf, inland across the rolling sand dunes to the fertile oasis surrounding Falaj Al Moalla.

Understand

The mangroves, with the city of Umm al Quwain (as it looked in 2012) in the distance

Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is the smallest of the 7 members of the United Arab Emirates, with an area of 800 km², and a population of 73,000 in 2015.

The inland oasis and hinterland town of Falaj Al Moalla lies some 50 km from Umm Al Quwain city.

From November to March temperatures are idyllic and average 26^oC in daytime and 15^oC at night (79^oF to 59^oF). Temperatures can rise over 40^oC (104^oF) in the peak of the summer and the humidity levels are high. Rainfall is minimal and averages 42 millimetres a year. The coastline experiences cooling sea breezes during the day.

The name Umm Al Quwain is derived from Umm Al Quwatain, which means “Mother of two powers”, a reference to the powerful seafaring tradition of this emirate. The modern history of Umm Al Quwain dates to 1768 when the Al Ali tribe moved their capital from Al Sinniyah Island to its present location, when the water supply dried up.

Get in

By plane

There is no airport in Umm al Quwain, however there are airports in nearby emirates Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah.

Get around

There are no buses in Umm al Quwain. People generally take taxis, which are plentiful. A taxi around the central section of UAQ costs 2-3 dirham and from the commercial sector (say near Lulu) to the main roundabout costs at least 5 dirham.

See

An old well in the Umm Al Quwain Museum

• Dreamland, ☏ +971 6 7681888, fax: +971 6 7681887, info@dreamlanduae.com. Ras Al Khaimah Highway; is the world’s largest aquapark.
• The traditional activities of fishing, falconry, camel racing and dhow building are still evident in Umm Al Quwain emirate. The Shahin (or peregrine) falcon can be spotted here along with the famous light skinned hunting hawk, the AI-Hur.
• The dhow building yard where skilled craftsmen continue to assemble these traditional boats is still very much in existence. In the old town, around the fort, the once charming old coral stone houses still display features of the original architecture and intricate sculptured plaster work.
• The Aquarium. It is on the headland beside the new port. Part of the Marine Research Centre and open to visitors by prior arrangement, it features the large variety of fish and sea life found in the region including rays, snakes and corals. Barracuda Beach Resort can arrange group visits. 
•  Happyland is a kids’ heaven with attractive video-games, jumping castles and a lot more a kid wants
• Islands of Umm Al Quwain lie to the east of the mainland peninsula on a unique stretch of coastline consisting of sandy islands surrounded by dense mangrove forests, separated by a series of creeks. The largest of the seven islands is Al Sinniyah, followed by Jazirat Al Ghallah and Al Keabe, all of which are visible from the old town. Tucked in between these and the coastal plains are the smaller islands of Al Sow, Al Qaram, Al Humaidi, Al Chewria and Al Harmala. The Madaar creek running between the islands provides a navigable waterway for fisherman even at low tide when the average depth is less than a few feet. Barracuda Beach Resort can arrange group visits to these islands.
• Camel racing – going inland, the road to the Camel race track at Al Labsa affords an exceptionally pretty drive. This lovely race track is set in the lee of large dunes to the left of the road leading to Falaj Al Moalla. During the winter months, the camel’s race early in the morning on Thursdays and Fridays and spectators are welcome. Camel caravans are a familiar site crossing the desert from one race track to another. The dunes in this area, interspersed with wooded dales, provide a challenging terrain for off road desert drivers or as they are commonly called “dune bashers”. They also offer some of the most picturesque desert camping spots in the emirates promising an unforgettable night under the Arabian stars. Group camping trips can be arranged.
• Umm Al Quwain Museum (Umm Al Quwain Fort). A renovation of the fort of Umm Al Quwain which once guarded the entrance to the old town, overseeing the sea on one side and the creek on the other. The museum houses artifacts found at important nearby sites including Al Dour and provides a fascinating insight to bygone times. Restoration work is scheduled to recreate the aged wall that once surrounded the original settlement 
• 1 Al-Dur. It was a coastal city from 200 BCE to the 3rd century CE. The site, along and to the right of the Sharjah/Ras-al-Khaimah highway, has been excavated and many interesting artifacts put on display at the UAQ museum.   
• Palma Bowling. More than bowling as there is pool & snooker, video games, shisha bar, a beachside restaurant, et al. Egyptian decor with pyramids and mummies. Easily reached by taxi. 

 Do

Soviet era abandoned Ilyushin cargo plane. The plane’s history is a mystery and it is now a common sight seeing destination for visitors.

• Umm al Quwain’s Corniche – a good place for anyone who enjoys the sounds of waves and peace. Smoking “shisha” could be the best moment at UAQ’s Corniche at night for those who love shisha in peace, especially on chilly winter nights.
• Sailing in the calm waters of the lagoon provide some of the best and most interesting sailing in the Northern Emirates.
• Conditions are ideal for water-skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and jet-skiing. Sailing and canoeing through the clear, quiet waters to the deserted islands and exploring the mangrove swamps inhabited by a variety of seabirds, fish and insects offers a unique adventure for any visitor. Pink flamingos, jumping fish, turtles, numerous crabs and rays can all be seen in their natural environment.
• Umm Al Quwain Marine Club and Riding Centre is not far from the fish souq, situated on a large stretch of shaded beach overlooking the lagoon. The riding club, established in 1979, at one time had more than 40 horses and a team of qualified riding instructors.
• The Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub, not far from Dreamland, is the first UAE aviation club and was set up under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mualla. Easily recognised by the vintage Antonow-2 Bi-Plane and the enormous Iljuschin-76 Cargoplane on display, the Airport has 6 spacious hangers, a 1,800-m runway, with N-VFR lighting, a spacious coffee shop etc. etc.. The club is known for its skydiving and parachute championships and has hosted various championships. Provides the opportunity for flying, hot air ballooning, skydiving (single & tandem), parachuting and paramotoring in the UAE. Training and lessons are given throughout the year and friendly advice is offered from experienced GCAA certified instructors and pilots. The aircraft available include microlights, gliders, Cessnas and a plane for aerobatics. Good place to fly, and learn to fly, away from the main UAE. Airports and over some of the Arabian Gulf’s deserted beaches and enchanting lagoons. Flying enthusiasts meet here on Thursdays and Fridays and anyone is welcome to drop in.
• Umm Al Quwain Motor Racing Club is situated on the city side of Dreamland and offers participants the opportunity to experience the speed, thrill and exhilaration of off road dune buggy racing and motor hiking in three purpose built arenas.
• Falaj Al Mualla Garden Park. A few meters away from UAQ Bridge in Emirates Road or Outer Bypass Road. Family orientated with swimming pool. Open to all residents with a minimal fee of Dhs. 2 per person. Times: Su-W 8AM-11PM for women and children. Th-Sa 10AM-midnight for families. Also has children’s playground, BBQ areas, bike rental. Quad bike ride for 50 dirham per 1 hour. 

Birdwatching

Avid birdwatchers can enjoy the wonderful wildlife at Khor al Beidah and other popular sights lie to the south and east of the town. Al Sinniyah Island is also visible from the corniche. The shallow tidal lagoons and mudflats create the perfect feeding, nesting and resting habitat for several species of heron and plover, Greater Flamingo, gulls and terns.

Between November and March, hundreds of Great Cormorants are regularly spotted flying just a few feet above the sea, as they move from one sand bar to another. Coastal flats and dune tracks around the lagoon to the south east of the promontory provide excellent mountain hiking terrain, varied enough to suit any age and ability.

Al Sinniyah, the largest of the islands, is a marine sanctuary covering 90 square kilometres. This was once the original settlement site but now shelters huge colonies of cormorants, other seabirds, gazelle and al qaram trees, and dugong (sea cows) and turtles can be seen in the shallow waters surrounding the island.

Buy

• Lulu Hypermarket for clothes, groceries, perfumes and electronics.
• Salma Market for cheap clothes.
• Al manamah Hypermarket for clothes, groceries, perfumes and electronics.

Eat

• Al-Ramlah Cafetaria is a place in Al-Salamah where you can eat/drink a lot of great food.
• KFC is there on King Shaah Faisal Street. Also offers home delivery.
• Arabian Chicken Hut in Salma.
• Wadi Al Neel Seafood Restaurant (Wadi Al Neel). Traditional Arabic seafood restaurant. Don’t expect 5 star service or venue, but serves great food and a must visit in UAQ. Well known among the locals.
• Cardoba restaurant and cafetaria, old town.
• Wadi Al Neel Seafood Restaurant (Wadi Al Neel), Traditional Arabic seafood restaurant. Don’t expect 5-star service or venue, but serves great food and a must visit in UAQ.
• Sadaf Cafteria, Well praised by the locals even from Dubai for the samoosas and sandwiches.
• Al Foren Al Sakhen Pastries & Pies, ☏ +971 6-7666763. Opposite KFC on King Faisal Road. Authentic Arabic Cuisine with excellent pastries, Turkish shawarama and pizza. Home delivery and party catering available. 
• Pizza Hut, Hardees and McDonalds are also there on King Shaah Faisal Street.
• There is a London Dairy Ice cream outlet near UAQ Roundabout which provides fresh ice cream with great toppings.
• Baskin Robbins, Al Manamah hypermarket.

Drink

Most of the hotels have a bar and/or nightclub; some have more than one.

• Barracuda serves and sells duty free alcoholic drinks
• Fresh Naryal Pani (Coconut Water) is available at Al Thalla Bar near UAQ Roundabout
• Juices and cock/mocktails are served at all the cafeterias

Sleep

• Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel, +971 6 7666647. On the beach. Has a bar, restaurant and swimming pool.
• Barracuda Beach Resort , ☏ +971 6 7681555, fax: +971 6 7681556. Sharjah – RAK highway. Sits on the edge of the lagoon that separates Umm Al Quwain. Artificial beach, swimming pool and BBQ. Duty-free liquor store.
• Flamingo Beach Resort has all kinds of water sports including snorkeling, diving, fishing, crab hunting and glass bottom boat rides.
• Pearl Hotel, +971 6 7666678. Has a restaurant, nightclub-bar and a swimming pool.
• Palma Beach Hotel, ☏ +971 6 7667090, fax: +971 6 7667388. Next to the UAQ Marine Club and Riding Centre.

Barracuda Beach Resort has a liquor retail outlet and a “hole in the wall” where booze can be brought at duty free prices, ID is usually not needed.

• Royal Residence Resort Villas, P.O. Box 3144, ☏ +971 6-766-46-00, fax: +971 6-766-46-04. Two hotel locations: Near Ittihad R/A Main Road and First Signal Left turn upon entering UAQ. Swimming pool, room service, restaurants and activities assistance. Can rental car with driver. 

Stay safe

As law is strict in the entire UAE, don’t do anything which could harm anyone or is offensive. Never drive without a driving license, and do not speed as there are speed cameras.

As with other Muslim-majority places, don’t eat/drink in public during Ramadan.

Also, appropriate clothing must be worn at all times as anywhere else in the UAE if you don’t want to attract unwanted attention.