Entry to Khorfakkan Beach costs nothing, but the car park does. After 15 free minutes, parking runs AED 10 an hour, and the fee comes off your Salik account automatically if you don’t pay by QR code first.
That detail catches plenty of day-trippers. The beach itself is a 3 km crescent of sand on Sharjah’s east coast, facing the Gulf of Oman with the Hajar Mountains behind it.
Most visitors drive in from Sharjah or Dubai for the day. This guide covers the facilities, the boat trip to Shark Island, all three ways to get there, and what the day costs.
Khorfakkan Beach by the numbers
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Khor Fakkan, Sharjah’s east coast, north of the city centre |
| Beach length | 3 km, crescent-shaped |
| Sea | Gulf of Oman |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, every day |
| Entry | Free |
| Parking | First 15 minutes free, then AED 10 per hour |
| Developer | Shurooq (Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) |
| Drive from Sharjah city | About 1 hour |
| Drive from Dubai | About 90 minutes |
| Shark Island boat | From AED 25 per adult |
What’s on the beach
The developed stretch has showers, changing rooms, sports courts, play areas, and restaurants along a beachfront promenade. There are multipurpose courts, padel and tennis courts, an open-air amphitheatre, and restaurants and cafes among its facilities.
That stretch opened in December 2019. According to Construction Business News Middle East, the first phase cost AED 95 million, covered one kilometre, and included:
- A walkway above the beach with showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms
- Football, basketball, and multipurpose courts
- Children’s play areas
- Jogging and cycling tracks
- An amphitheatre overlooking the sand for events
- A 315-space car park, food trucks, kiosks, and restaurant units
The sand has its own amenities too. There are swing sets and football goalposts on the beach, so bring a ball if you have kids.
Hotels on the beachfront
The Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa sits at one end of the beach. It’s a 4-star hotel with 177 rooms and its own private beach section.
The newest addition is Khorfakkan Resort, inaugurated in May 2026. Gulf News reports the Dh700 million project sits directly on the beach with 573 apartments, 16 retail outlets, pools, and a private beach.
Water sports and boat rentals
Boats, jet skis, and other water sports rent from the huts near the centre of the corniche. The main options are:
- Swimming, in the calmer water close to shore
- Kayaking and paddleboarding
- Jet skiing
- Parasailing
- Banana boat rides
- Fishing, from boats heading to deeper spots offshore
- Snorkelling and scuba diving, mainly around Shark Island
There’s no fixed price list for water sports. Operators at the huts set their own rates, so agree the price, the ride length, and whether a life jacket is included before you start. Weekday mornings are the easiest time to negotiate.
Shark Island (Sira Khorfakkan)
Shark Island is a small rocky island in the bay, about a 10-minute boat ride from the beach. Its official name is Sira Khorfakkan, and it is just behind the port at the southern end of the beach.
The island is the best snorkelling spot in Khorfakkan. Snorkellers see sea anemones and turtles, while divers find rock formations with moray eels, rays, and Arabian angelfish. Blacktip reef sharks, which give the island its nickname, show up on its eastern side.
Getting to the island
Private operators on the corniche run boat trips for Dh25 per adult. Diving centres on the beach also rent fins, masks, and snorkels, and they arrange guided dives.
Boats are easiest to find on weekends, when shared rides fill quickly. On weekdays, fewer boats run, and a group may need to hire one privately.
What to know before you board
The island has no facilities at all. Plan around these points:
- Rent or bring snorkel gear on the mainland, since nothing is for hire on the island.
- Use the beach toilets and changing rooms before you leave.
- Wear water shoes, because the rocks and coral are sharp.
- Carry drinking water and snacks.
- Agree the return pickup time with your boat operator before you set off.
How to get to Khorfakkan Beach
Driving is the fastest option, the bus is the cheapest, and a taxi works if you’d rather not drive the mountain road.
By car
The drive takes about an hour from Sharjah city and about 90 minutes from Dubai.
- Head for Emirates Road (E611) from Sharjah or Dubai.
- Take the exit for the Sharjah–Khorfakkan Road and follow it east.
- Continue through the Hajar Mountains, where the road passes through five tunnels.
- Follow signs for the corniche once you reach Khor Fakkan.
- Park in the beach car park near the central promenade.
The 89 km road opened in April 2019. Its longest tunnel, Al Sidra, runs 2.7 km, and it is the longest covered tunnel in the Middle East. Fuel for a return trip from Sharjah costs about AED 55 to 75.
By bus (Route 116)
Route 116 runs from Al Jubail Bus Terminal in Sharjah to Khor Fakkan. The one-way fare is about AED 27, and the trip takes 2 to 2.5 hours.
This bus doesn’t use the tunnel road. It goes inland via Sharjah Airport, the Sharjah Desert Park stop, Al Dhaid, Masafi, and Fujairah before entering Khor Fakkan.
The most useful stop is Oceanic Hotel Roundabout, which puts you at the beach. Buses run roughly every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening.
You can pay in cash or with a Sayer card. The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority sells the card for AED 5, and you can buy or top it up on the bus.
There’s no direct bus from Dubai. Take an intercity bus from Dubai to Al Jubail first, then change to Route 116.
By taxi
A one-way taxi from central Sharjah costs AED 250 to 300, and more from Dubai. A taxi only makes sense for a group sharing the fare.
Parking and costs
Parking is managed by Parkonic on a ticketless system, where your number plate acts as your ticket. Parkonic’s terms for Khorfakkan Beach set these rules:
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| First 15 minutes | Free |
| After 15 minutes | AED 10 per hour or part of an hour |
| Retail validation | Spend at least AED 25 at the beach’s retailers and validate your e-ticket for 3 free hours |
| Payment | QR code on site signage, the PARKONIC+ app, or automatic Salik deduction |
| Cash | Not accepted, and there are no parking machines |
| Public holidays | Parking is still paid |
| Days | Monday to Sunday |
Two rules cost people money:
- Leaving and coming back resets the free period. Re-entering after the first 15 minutes counts as a new entry, with no free time.
- Salik is the default payment. If you don’t pay by QR code or the app, the fee comes off your Salik account. Drivers without Salik, or with too little balance, must pay another way before leaving or risk fines.
The retail validation is the cheapest option for a long visit. Having lunch at one of the restaurants and validating covers 3 hours of parking.
A budget day for two people who drive from Sharjah, park for 4 hours, and take the Shark Island boat comes to about AED 155. That covers roughly AED 65 in fuel, AED 40 in parking, and AED 50 for the boat.
Safety and visitor tips
Swim only in daylight and within the marked swimming areas, and follow any lifeguard instructions. Some parts of the shore are closed to swimmers for security reasons, so stay out of any area signed as restricted.
Visitors regularly report a few practical issues:
- There are few showers for the number of visitors, so expect waits after water sports on busy days.
- Friday to Sunday brings the most people and the fullest car park. Weekday mornings are quietest.
- From June to September, midday on the sand is hard going. Arrive early and use the shaded areas.
The dress code follows UAE public decency rules. Swimwear is fine on the beach and in the water, but cover up when walking into the restaurants and shops.
Nearby stops worth combining
Several of Khor Fakkan’s other landmarks are within a short drive of the beach:
- Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre and Waterfall. The amphitheatre sits at the foot of Al Sayed mountain, facing the beach. The waterfall beside it is 45 metres long, set 43 metres above sea level, and linked to the amphitheatre by lifts and a walkway.
- Al Rabi Hiking Trail. A 4 to 5 km round trip up to Al Rabi Tower, a watchtower at 379 metres. The climb is 2 to 3 hours, with views over the Gulf of Oman.
- Al Suhub Rest Area. A mountaintop viewpoint 583 metres above sea level with a restaurant and cafe, opened in 2021. Sunset is the busiest time.
- Al Rafisah Dam. A lake and park rest area on the Sharjah–Khorfakkan Road, and an easy stop on the drive in or out. It is among the east coast’s main nature spots.
For a Sharjah beach closer to the city, Al Hamriyah Beach sits on the west coast.
FAQ
Is Khorfakkan Beach free?
Yes. Entry to the beach is free. You only pay for parking after the first 15 minutes, and for optional water sports, boat trips, and food.
Is Khorfakkan Beach open at night?
Yes. The beach is open 24 hours, and the promenade restaurants stay busy in the evening. Keep swimming to daylight hours.
Is Khorfakkan in Sharjah or Fujairah?
Khorfakkan is part of the Emirate of Sharjah. It’s an exclave on the east coast, surrounded by Fujairah territory, which is why the bus from Sharjah passes through Fujairah city.
Can I pay for parking in cash?
No. The car park has no cash payment and no machines. Pay by QR code, through the PARKONIC+ app, or let the fee come off your Salik account.
Can I get to Khorfakkan Beach by bus from Dubai?
Not directly. Take a bus from Dubai to Al Jubail Bus Terminal in Sharjah, then Route 116 to Khor Fakkan. Get off at Oceanic Hotel Roundabout for the beach.
How much is the boat to Shark Island?
Boats to Shark Island start at AED 25 per adult from operators on the corniche. The crossing takes about 10 minutes.
A first-visit checklist
- Leave early, ideally before 9am on a weekend, to get parking and cooler sand.
- Check your Salik balance, or plan to pay by QR code before leaving the car park.
- Pack water shoes, snorkel gear, sunscreen, and a ball for the goalposts.
- Head for the huts at the centre of the corniche to book a Shark Island boat, and agree the return time.
- Eat at one of the promenade restaurants and validate your parking for 3 free hours.
- Finish at the amphitheatre and waterfall, or stop at Al Rafisah Dam on the way home.
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