Adventure enthusiasts ought to add Sharjah as the next destination on their bucket lists. Sharjah, the third largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, is blessed with some of the best sites for thrilling activities such as water-sports and desert safaris in the region. Read down below to find the perfect 3 day itinerary for an unforgettable adventurous vacation in this beautiful emirate.

Underwater adventure in the Indian Ocean

 Day 1 – Khorfakkan Beach

Get guided snorkel and scuba trips in Khorfakkan Beach’s 7 Seas Dive Centre (Photo: Visit Sharjah)

To get to Khorfakkan Beach, take a drive east to the enclave of Khorfakkan, which is located 137 km from Sharjah on the Gulf of Oman. Once you reach there, head to the 7 Seas Dive Centre for their guided snorkel and scuba trips, along with a variety of PADI courses.

Then take a full-day boat trip to two of its most popular and accessible dive sites, Martini Rock and Shark Island that have awed visitors with colourful aquatic life, and water that is both warm and crystal clear.

When one is tired and done for the day, one can check into the Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa. The four-star resort, which is located at the northern end of Khorfakkan Beach features modern rooms, two pools and a private beach.

As for dinner, one can head downstairs to The Ocean Wok Pan-Asian restaurant to find some of best wok-fried fare in town.

Day 2 – Indian Ocean

Head for another day of water adventure on the second day (Photo: Visit Sharjah)

The next day, one has to rise early and head to Al Murjan for a sumptuous breakfast of an extensive buffet with hot and cold Arabic, Indian and Western dishes.

Now, one can check out of the hotel and head to the on-site dive centre for another day of underwater adventure. Snorkellers will sure be in for a treat as they will get to have an ample time and opportunity to view colourful nudibranchs and schools of clown fishes under water. Experienced divers can also venture out on boat trip to deeper waters.

 Day 3 – 4X4 off-road excursion

Drive up towering sand dunes on the third day (Photo: Visit Sharjah)

On the third day, take a drive to Mleiha Archaeological Centre which offers a range of tours and activities. After 2 days in the water, its high time to explore what Sharjah has to offer in terms of its land activites.

Now, before setting off into the desert, grab a bite to eat at the centre’s Bystro Café. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the striking landscape, the café serves a delicious menu of salads, sandwiches and burgers, along with all-day breakfast and filling favourites such as steak frites and spaghetti bolognese.

Sign up for the Mleiha Adventure Package, which is a six-hour guided 4WD tour showcasing the very best landscapes of the region.

Driving up the towering sand dunes and past spectacular rock formations is breath-taking and the visitors can also stop to explore pre-Islamic archaeological sites.

Once done with that, one can make the way back to Sharjah city and head to Al Qasba, a canal-side complex that is home to cafés, restaurants, shops and galleries. All the dune bashing is bound to revive a voracious appetite. So, when the time does come, sit down for dinner at Shababeek, a contemporary Lebanese restaurant serving all manner of mezze and grills.