The first view of Al Rafisah Dam comes over a crest on the SharjahâKhorfakkan Highway: a lake between sandstone ridges, with a man-made waterfall running down the slope to the water. The dam holds back Wadi Shie in the Hajar Mountains and dates from the 1980s. The rest area, play areas and boat hire were added later with the highway project.
There is no entry fee. Parking, boats and food are the three costs, and the sections below price each one before laying out a 2-hour, half-day and full-day plan.
Al Rafisah Dam quick details
| Detail | Facts |
|---|---|
| Location | Wadi Shie in the Hajar Mountains, a few kilometres before Khorfakkan, Emirate of Sharjah |
| Entry | Free |
| Parking | Paid every day, from AED 2 for the first hour; about 45 spaces in the main lot |
| Boating hours | 7 AM to 9 PM |
| Lakeside walk | About 1 km |
| Hike to Al Suhub Rest House | About 7.5 km round trip, around 3 hours |
| Play areas | 3 outdoor areas |
| Altitude | About 200 m |
| Drive time | About 45 minutes from Sharjah, 90 minutes from Dubai |
| Best months | October to April |
Parking fees & the 45-space car park
Parking is paid every day, Fridays included, and the main car park holds about 45 vehicles. The Khorfakkan Municipality parking tariff starts at AED 2 and tops out at AED 12 for five hours:
| Time parked | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | AED 2 |
| 2 hours | AED 5 |
| 3 hours | AED 8 |
| 5 hours | AED 12 |
Pay at the smart machine with coins or a prepaid parking card, or text your plate details and the number of hours to 5566.
An hour on the water plus lunch fits the 3-hour bracket at AED 8. The hike to Al Suhub with a meal at the top takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, which puts you in the AED 12 bracket. Hikers have a separate car park at the start of the trail.
The main lot is small for the crowds that arrive at weekends and on public holidays, so a morning arrival gives you the best chance of a space.
Boat & kayak prices
Kayaks cost AED 40 for a single and AED 80 for a double with no time limit, while pedal and donut boats are charged by the hour. Al Khor Kayak runs all of them from the lakeside, and boats operate from 7 AM to 9 PM.
| Boat | Price | Time | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single kayak | AED 40 | Unlimited | 1 adult |
| Double kayak | AED 80 | Unlimited | 2 adults and 1 child |
| Small pedal boat | AED 100 | 1 hour | 2 adults and 2 children |
| Large pedal boat | AED 150 | 1 hour | 3 adults and 2 children |
| Donut boat | AED 250 | 1 hour | 4 adults and 2 children |
Two adults pay AED 80 either way, one double kayak or two singles, and a child can take the third seat in the double at the same price. A family of four with two young children fits the small pedal boat for AED 100 an hour. A full donut boat of six works out to about AED 42 a person.
Life jackets are required on every boat. Gazelles roam the mountainside and plenty of birds work the water, and both are easy to spot from a kayak.
Lakeside walk, castle steps & waterfall
Three things are worth doing on foot without leaving the rest area:
- The man-made waterfall starts beside the Rafisah Lounge and runs down the slope to the lake, framed by planted greenery.
- The Walk is a palm-lined path of about 1 km with benches. It winds along the foot of the mountain and continues through old plantations towards the fort.
- The castle (Al Hosn) sits up a staircase on the mountainside. Allow about 30 minutes for the climb, and the top gives a wide view of the dam and lake.
Hike to Al Suhub Rest House
The marked trail from the dam to Al Suhub Rest House is about 7.5 km there and back and takes around 3 hours. It is rated easy to moderate, and the first stretch has good views if you want to turn back early. Some parts are steep with loose rock, so proper footwear matters.
The trail ends at the Al Suhub Rest House, where Fen Café & Restaurant is open from 7 AM to 11 PM. Plan 1 to 1.5 hours each way plus time for a meal.
What to carry:
- More water than you expect to need
- Snacks
- Hiking or walking shoes
- A hat and sunscreen
- A friend, unless you are an experienced hiker
Check the weather before you set off and tell someone where you are going.
Food, toilets & prayer facilities
The rest area covers the basics for a half-day stay:
- Rafisah Lounge, run by Shahrzad Palace Iranian Restaurant, serves grills, soups, salads and juices from 8 AM to 10 PM with a view over the reservoir.
- Alsad Ice Cream sells ice cream, coffee and snacks from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
- A Sharjah Coop mini mart sells water and snacks from 7 AM to midnight.
- The mosque has separate male and female prayer areas.
- Toilets are provided for men and women, with disabled access.
- Outdoor seating takes up to 300 people, and 3 play areas have swings, slides and other equipment for children.
The lounge is the only sit-down restaurant, so a picnic from the mini mart is the cheaper option for a larger group.
How to reach the dam
By car
Driving is the simplest route. The highway runs through the Hajar Mountains in five tunnels, and the dam appears beside it a few kilometres before Khorfakkan town.
- Follow the signs for Khorfakkan onto the SharjahâKhorfakkan Highway (S142) from Sharjah or Dubai.
- Allow about 45 minutes from Sharjah or 90 minutes from Dubai.
- Use the Al Rafisah Dam map pin rather than a general Khorfakkan search, since the town is further down the road.
- Park in the main car park, or in the hikers’ car park if you are heading up the trail.
By bus & taxi
Route 116 runs from Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah to Khorfakkan Bus Station, and the dam sits a few kilometres up the highway from the town. A taxi covers the last stretch, or you can book a private transfer for the whole trip from Dubai or Sharjah.
Best time to visit
October to April is the best stretch, when the weather suits boating and the hike. Weekends and public holidays are the busiest days, so a weekday or an early start gives you more room at the water and in the car park.
From May to September, keep to early morning or after sunset and skip the hike.
Rules at the lake
- Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir.
- Fishing is not allowed and fines apply.
- Camping is not allowed.
- Pets are not allowed.
Nearby stops
The dam fits easily into a wider Khorfakkan day:
- Shees Park sits on the highway on the way in and has its own 25 m artificial waterfall.
- The Khorfakkan amphitheatre & waterfall stand on the corniche, where a 45 m man-made cascade drops beside a Roman-style theatre.
- Khorfakkan Beach has boats to Shark Island running from the shore.
- Najd Al Miqsar heritage village, restored during the highway project, lies near the dam on the far side of the highway.
FAQ
Is Al Rafisah Dam free to enter?
Yes. There is no entry fee or ticket. Parking, boats, food and drink are the only costs.
Is parking free at Al Rafisah Dam?
No. Parking is paid every day, including Fridays: AED 2 for one hour, AED 5 for two, AED 8 for three and AED 12 for five.
How much is a kayak at Al Rafisah Dam?
A single kayak costs AED 40 and a double kayak AED 80, both with no time limit. Pedal boats cost AED 100 or AED 150 an hour, and the donut boat AED 250 an hour.
Can you swim or fish at Al Rafisah Dam?
No to both. Swimming is not permitted in the reservoir, and fishing is not allowed and carries fines.
How long is the hike from Al Rafisah Dam to Al Suhub?
The round trip takes about 3 hours and covers roughly 7.5 km. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours each way, plus time at the top.
What time does Al Rafisah Dam open & close?
Each service keeps its own hours. Boats run 7 AM to 9 PM, the Rafisah Lounge 8 AM to 10 PM, Alsad Ice Cream 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM and the mini mart 7 AM to midnight.
How far is Al Rafisah Dam from Dubai?
About 90 minutes by car on the SharjahâKhorfakkan Highway. From Sharjah the drive takes about 45 minutes.
Plan the day
- Two hours covers an hour on the water in a kayak or pedal boat, then ice cream and the play areas. Parking costs AED 5.
- A half day (3 to 4 hours) fits breakfast or lunch at the Rafisah Lounge, an hour on the water, 30 minutes at the play areas and an ice cream. Parking costs AED 8 for three hours or AED 12 for five.
- A full day fits the hike up to Al Suhub and back with a meal at the top, then a boat hour and the castle climb. Start early in the cooler months so the hike is done before the afternoon.
