From Dubai: Try Scuba Diving, Snorkeling with BBQ & Transfer

Fujairah puts clear water within reach. This full-day trip combines a beginner scuba session, snorkeling near Snoopy Island and Sharm Rocks, a BBQ lunch, and a few sightseeing stops on the return to Dubai. I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives the instructor more time to help nervous beginners. I also like that underwater photos are included, so you can enjoy the experience without worrying about holding your phone.

The strongest praise goes to the calm instructors, especially Fahad, who helped one frightened beginner feel safe almost at once. The main drawback is the early start and long road time. Dubai traffic can make the pickup and return slower than planned, so this is a full, active day rather than a quick beach outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Beginner-friendly scuba session: You learn basic skills in shallow or confined water before heading to a sea site.
• Two water stops: Snoopy Island includes scuba and snorkeling, while Sharm Rocks is used for more snorkeling.
• Turtle sightings are possible: Turtles and schools of fish were seen during recent trips, though no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.
• Photos are included: Instructors take underwater pictures and send them to you after the activity.
• Lunch and facilities are covered: You get a BBQ meal, unlimited soft drinks and water, changing rooms, lockers, toilets, showers, and a sunbed.
• The return trip adds sightseeing: Al Bidya Mosque, Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, and Khorfakkan Waterfalls provide short stops after the water activities.

Why Fujairah makes more sense than Dubai for this day

This experience takes you away from Dubai’s city beaches and toward Fujairah’s eastern coast. The road trip takes about 1.5 hours each way, depending on traffic, but the change of setting is part of the appeal. You leave the towers and major roads behind and reach a coast built around rocky islands, reefs, and open sea.

I like this setup because the water activity is the main event, not a short add-on squeezed between other city attractions. Fujairah offers a more suitable setting for seeing reef fish and possibly turtles. The trip also avoids making you arrange transport, equipment, lunch, and a return journey separately.

The tradeoff is simple: you give up a large part of the day to driving. Pickup is usually between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, with the exact time sent the day before. A Dubai hotel pickup is useful, but traffic can affect both ends of the trip. If you want a relaxed late morning, this is not the right excursion.

Leaving Dubai before the heat builds

The morning begins with hotel pickup in Dubai or Fujairah. You should be ready with your passport, swimwear, comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, and a towel. Bring your own sunblock, since it is not included, and do not assume towels will be provided.

The early departure has two benefits. You reach the coast with more of the day ahead, and you avoid arriving at the hottest part of the afternoon. It also leaves enough time for equipment preparation, instruction, two water locations, lunch, and the sightseeing stops.

The van ride is part transfer and part scenic change. It is practical rather than luxurious, so use the time to rest. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that into account before setting off. The schedule is fairly full, and the day can feel long if you are tired after the water activities.

Getting ready for your first scuba session

At the coast, the team helps you with the scuba equipment and explains the basic skills you need. This is designed for beginners, so you do not need previous scuba experience. You do, however, need to be medically fit and comfortable in the water.

The instruction matters. Breathing through equipment and managing yourself underwater can feel strange at first, particularly if you are nervous. The strongest feedback about this trip centers on patient instructors. Fahad was singled out for staying calm, reassuring a worried beginner, and keeping the mood light. That kind of support can make the difference between spending the session tense and actually enjoying it.

You should not book this activity if you are a non-swimmer, pregnant, or have heart or respiratory problems. Children under 10 are not accepted. These rules are not minor fine print, so check them before paying.

The first water session takes place at one of Fujairah’s sites near Snoopy Island. The program introduces you to the equipment and basic underwater skills before you explore the reef area. Your instructor is there to guide you and help point out marine life.

Snoopy Island, fish, coral, and a chance of turtles

Snoopy Island is the main water stop and includes both scuba and snorkeling. Its name comes from the rocky island’s shape, which resembles the cartoon character lying on its back. The rock gives the area a clear visual marker and makes the stop easy to recognize from the water.

Below the surface, you can expect coral areas and reef fish. The exact conditions depend on the day, but the supplied experience focuses on seeing different fish, with the possibility of turtles. Recent trips included turtles and large groups of fish, which is one reason this outing is more appealing than a basic swimming stop.

The scuba portion lasts about 1.5 hours as part of the Snoopy Island visit, though that time includes preparation and movement in the water, not nonstop time below the surface. After the first session, you receive snorkeling equipment. Snorkeling lets you stay near the surface, which can feel easier if scuba breathing takes time to master.

I like the combination because it gives you two ways to enjoy the sea. You can try scuba with an instructor, then relax with a mask and snorkel. If you are traveling with someone who prefers not to go below the surface, the snorkeling portion gives that person a meaningful way to join in.

Do not treat a turtle sighting as a promise. Marine life moves freely, and conditions change. The guide knows the sites and can help you look in the right areas, but nature decides what appears.

Sharm Rocks adds a second look at the coast

The boat then heads to Sharm Rocks for another snorkeling session. A second site is valuable because it gives you a fresh view of the underwater area rather than repeating one small patch of water.

The snorkeling stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can float, watch fish below, and keep the pace comfortable. If your first session used up your energy, this is a good point to slow down. You are not required to treat the day like a contest.

The boat has a toilet and freshwater shower, and the shore facilities include lockers and changing rooms. Those details matter after salt water. You can rinse off, change, and keep your belongings secure instead of managing everything from a beach towel.

A sunbed is also available for anyone who would rather rest between activities. Remember that sunblock is not included. You should pack it and apply it before going out, then reapply as needed.

Underwater photos give you a useful souvenir

The instructors take underwater photos during the experience and send them to you afterward. This is a real advantage. Taking your own pictures underwater usually means carrying a waterproof camera or risking your phone, then missing part of the activity while trying to frame a shot.

The photos also help capture the first-time scuba experience for people who may not remember every detail clearly. When you are concentrating on breathing, equipment, and instructions, an instructor’s photo can show the moment better than a hurried self-portrait.

The exact number and style of photos are not specified, so you should view this as a welcome inclusion rather than a formal personal photo session. The main value remains the water activity itself.

BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis Dive Club

After the water sessions, you return to Reef Oasis Dive Club for lunch. The meal includes grilled tikka chicken and tikka meat, along with unlimited soft drinks and water. Lunch takes about 40 minutes.

This is not a long restaurant stop, but it is well placed. You have a chance to change, rinse off, eat, and talk through the morning before the return drive. A hot meal is especially useful after spending time in the water.

The menu is simple and filling rather than a broad buffet. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied details do not explain alternative dishes, so ask before booking. You should also bring any personal snacks you may need, though water and soft drinks are included.

The center has practical facilities: changing rooms, lockers, toilets, freshwater showers, and sunbeds. These make the day easier, particularly if you are traveling with belongings or want to dry off before getting back in the van.

Three short sightseeing stops on the way back

The return to Dubai includes brief visits to three places. They are not long guided tours, but they add variety after the sea portion.

Al Bidya Mosque is the first stop and lasts about 10 minutes. It is one of the UAE’s best-known traditional mosque sites and offers a quick cultural pause. Ten minutes is enough for a look and photographs, but not enough for a detailed visit or extended exploration.

Khorfakkan Amphitheatre receives about 15 minutes. The grand structure sits near the coast and makes a striking photo stop. The visit is short, so think of it as a viewpoint and stretch break rather than a full attraction visit.

Khorfakkan Waterfalls also gets about 15 minutes. This gives you another chance to step out, take pictures, and see one of the area’s newer public sights. The stops break up the drive, but they should not be the reason you book the trip. The sea activities are the core of the day.

I like these additions because they cost no extra time in the sense that you are already returning to Dubai. Still, the schedule may feel tight. If the water activities run late or traffic builds, the exact time at each stop could be affected.

What the $163 price includes

At $163 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in the UAE. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up what is covered: hotel transport from Dubai or Fujairah, scuba and snorkeling equipment, a certified instructor, underwater photos, BBQ lunch, soft drinks, water, and use of the center’s facilities.

You also avoid arranging a rental car, finding a suitable water operator, hiring equipment, and planning a meal after the activity. For a first scuba experience, having an instructor and transport bundled together can be worth paying for.

The small group is another part of the value. With a maximum of 10 people, the team has a better chance of giving personal attention than on a large coach-and-boat outing. That matters most when you are nervous or need extra help with the equipment.

The cost is less attractive if you only want to snorkel. You are still paying for the full package, even if you choose not to take part in the scuba session. It also offers less value if you already have equipment, transport, and scuba experience. For a first-timer who wants a simple, organized day, the package is more convincing.

Who should book this Fujairah experience

I would recommend it to an adult beginner who can swim, wants an introduction to scuba, and prefers having an instructor nearby. It also suits couples or small groups with mixed interests because one person can try scuba while another spends more time snorkeling.

The included photos are useful for anyone who wants a record of the day. The BBQ lunch and facilities make it more comfortable than an informal beach outing. The extra sightseeing stops help if you want a little more than water and sand.

I would not choose it for young children, non-swimmers, pregnant people, or anyone with heart or respiratory conditions. It is also a poor match if you dislike early mornings, long van rides, or a tightly planned schedule.

Bring your passport, swimwear, towel, sunblock, comfortable shoes, and dry clothes. Your original passport is required, not just a copy. Wear clothing that makes changing easy, since the day moves from van to water to lunch and back again.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a well-supported first scuba session in Fujairah, with snorkeling, possible turtle sightings, photos, lunch, and hotel transport handled in one package. The patient instruction, especially the calm help associated with Fahad, is the strongest reason to choose it.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day or a short outing from Dubai. The early pickup, 1.5-hour drive each way, and full itinerary require stamina. For a confident swimmer seeking a first taste of scuba without organizing every detail, the $163 price offers solid value.

FAQ

What is included in the Fujairah scuba and snorkeling trip?

The experience includes Dubai or Fujairah hotel pickup and drop-off, scuba equipment, snorkeling equipment, a certified instructor, underwater photos, BBQ lunch, unlimited soft drinks and water, lockers, changing rooms, toilets, freshwater showers, and access to a sunbed.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about 8 hours. The drive from Dubai to Fujairah takes about 1.5 hours, and pickup is usually scheduled between 6:00 and 7:00 AM.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The activity includes basic instruction and preparation for beginners. You must be medically fit and able to swim.

Can I see turtles?

Turtles may be seen while snorkeling or during the scuba session. The trip includes access to sites where turtles and different fish have been spotted, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring your original passport, swimwear, a towel, sunblock, comfortable shoes, and comfortable clothes. Towels, sunblock, and swimming wear are not included.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, non-swimmers, or people with heart or respiratory problems.