By Mayra Tours Team | Updated: July 2026 | Read time: 9 mins
Khorfakkan Beach is a free public beach on Sharjah’s east coast, open around the clock with water sports huts operating from roughly 9 AM to sunset. A jet ski in Khorfakkan costs AED 150–300 per 30 minutes (often negotiable, cheaper on weekdays), and boat rides to Shark Island start from AED 25 per adult, running from mid-morning with returns until around 8 PM. The beach sits about 90 minutes from Dubai via the scenic Sharjah–Khorfakkan highway, with the Hajar Mountains behind you and the Gulf of Oman in front. Mayra Tours runs east coast day trips with hotel pickup so you can enjoy all of it without driving.
The famous Khorfakkan is Sharjah’s tiny city. Travel enthusiasts love the town for two reasons- the location and the marvelous beach. Another thing that attracts travelers is the beautiful atolls. The Emirati government took a major initiative in preserving the massive stretch of atolls. As a result, the beach became a preferred beach destination for many.
What makes Khor Fakkan Beach (you will see the name written both ways) genuinely different from every beach in Dubai is the water itself. This coast faces the Gulf of Oman, not the Arabian Gulf, so the sea is deeper blue, noticeably cooler in summer, and home to some of the best-preserved coral in the UAE. Add a 3 km crescent of white sand, palm trees, the Hajar Mountains rising directly behind the corniche, and a rocky islet just offshore where blacktip reef sharks glide over anemone gardens, and you have the UAE’s best-value beach day. This updated guide covers everything visitors ask us: exact timings, jet ski and boat prices, how Shark Island trips work, and how to plan the perfect day from Dubai.
- Khorfakkan Beach: Quick Facts
- Khorfakkan Beach Timings (Updated 2026)
- Things to Do at Khorfakkan Beach
- Khorfakkan Jet Ski Price & Water Sports
- Shark Island: Boat Ride Timings & Prices
- Beyond the Beach: Waterfall, Amphitheatre & Hikes
- How to Reach Khorfakkan from Dubai
- Real Visitor Experiences
- Frequently Asked Questions
Khorfakkan Beach: Quick Facts
Khorfakkan belongs to Sharjah but sits on the east coast surrounded by Fujairah, which is why many east coast itineraries pair it with Fujairah stops. The beach is family-focused in the classic Sharjah way: barbecue-friendly lawns, playgrounds and football goalposts on the sand, shaded walkways along the corniche, and a strictly alcohol-free environment with modest swimwear appreciated away from the water.
Sources: Visit Sharjah (Sharjah Commerce & Tourism) • Sharjah Events — Khorfakkan Beach • Gulf News — Shark Island Boat Trips
Khorfakkan Beach Timings (Updated 2026)
The question we get most often, so here it is clearly. Khorfakkan beach timings today and every day: the public beach itself is open 24 hours with free entry, since it is an open corniche beach rather than a gated attraction. What runs on a schedule is everything around it:
| What | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach & corniche | Open 24 hours | Free entry, all days of the week |
| Water sports huts (jet ski, boats, kayaks) | ~9:00 AM to sunset | Centre of the corniche; busiest after 4 PM |
| Shark Island boat departures | ~9:30 AM onwards | Returns run until around 8 PM |
| Best swimming & photo hours | 8–11 AM and 4–7 PM | Soft light, cooler sand, calmer sea |
| Best season | October to April | Peak water visibility Nov–Apr; summer sea stays cooler than Dubai’s |
Things to Do at Khorfakkan Beach
- Swim in the Gulf of Oman: deeper blue, cooler and clearer than Dubai’s beaches, with a gentle shelf that suits families.
- Water sports: jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, banana boat rides and paddleboarding, all rented from the huts near the middle of the corniche.
- Snorkel or dive around Shark Island: anemone gardens, turtles, rays and Arabian angelfish over some of the UAE’s healthiest coral.
- Picnic and play: palm-shaded lawns, playgrounds, swings and football goalposts directly on the sand. Bring a ball.
- Walk the corniche at sunset: with the Hajar Mountains glowing behind you and dhows returning to the port, this is the east coast’s best free show.
Khorfakkan Jet Ski Price & Water Sports Rates (2026)
The Khorfakkan jet ski price is refreshingly lower than Dubai’s marina rates, which is a big part of the beach’s appeal for adventure on a budget. There is no official fixed price list; operators at the beach huts set rates by season, day and demand, so treat these as realistic 2026 ranges and always agree the price and duration before you ride:
| Activity | Typical Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jet Ski | AED 150–300 (weekday deals sometimes AED 100 or less) | 30 minutes |
| Kayak Rental | AED 30–60 | Per hour |
| Banana Boat Ride | AED 25–50 per person | ~15 minutes |
| Parasailing | AED 150–250 per person | ~10–15 minutes |
| Boat to Shark Island | From AED 25 per adult | 10-minute crossing |
Shark Island Khorfakkan: Boat Ride Timings, Prices & What to Expect
The rocky islet you can see from the sand is Shark Island (officially Sira Khorfakkan, and nicknamed Shark Beach by many visitors). Despite the name, it is completely safe: the “sharks” are small, shy blacktip reef sharks occasionally spotted off the island’s eastern side, and they share the water with turtles, moray eels, rays, batfish and clouds of Sergeant Majors over anemone gardens.
Khorfakkan beach boat ride timings & prices
- Where: small boats and diving centres line the corniche near the middle of Khorfakkan Beach; walk up and book on the spot.
- Timings: departures from roughly 9:30 AM, with return pickups running until around 8 PM, so you can stay for sunset on the island.
- Price: basic return boat rides start from AED 25 per adult; packages with snorkelling gear, guides or diving cost more depending on the operator.
- Crossing time: about 10 minutes each way over water roughly 15 metres deep and clear enough to watch the seabed en route.
Beyond the Beach: What Else Khorfakkan Offers
- Khorfakkan Amphitheatre & Waterfall: a Roman-style stone amphitheatre facing the sea, with a dramatic man-made waterfall carved into the mountain beside it. Five minutes from the beach and free to visit.
- Al Rafisah Dam: a turquoise mountain reservoir on the Sharjah–Khorfakkan highway with kayaking, a walking track and a family-friendly rest house. The classic photo stop on the drive in.
- Al Rabi Hiking Trail: a 4–5 km round trip to a historic watchtower at 379 metres, with sweeping Gulf of Oman views. Go early morning, October to April.
- Al Suhub Rest House: perched 600 metres up with panoramic coast views, the east coast’s most photographed sunrise spot.
How to Reach Khorfakkan Beach from Dubai
The drive is half the experience. The Sharjah–Khorfakkan highway (S142) cuts through the Hajar Mountains via a series of tunnels, turning what was once a winding two-hour journey into a smooth 90-minute scenic run of about 120–140 km from central Dubai. Al Rafisah Dam appears on your right as you descend toward the coast, and the beach parking along the corniche is free. There is no metro or practical public transport for a day trip, so it is either your own car, a pricey return taxi, or a guided day tour with transport included.
🏖️ East Coast Day Trip with Mayra Tours
Skip the driving and let us handle the day: hotel pickup from Dubai or Sharjah, the scenic mountain highway with a photo stop at Al Rafisah Dam, a full afternoon at Khorfakkan Beach with the Shark Island boat ride arranged, and the amphitheatre and waterfall on the way out. It pairs perfectly with our Sharjah tour packages, and city lovers can compare it with the Dubai city tour for a two-day UAE contrast. Browse all our tours and packages or message us for a same-day quote.
Real Visitor Experiences
“We did the boat to Shark Island expecting a quick photo stop and ended up staying four hours. My kids snorkelled with a turtle within ten minutes of landing. The AED 25 boat is the best money we have spent in the UAE, and the water is so much cooler than Dubai’s in summer that we actually swam at 2 PM.”
“Negotiated a jet ski for AED 120 on a Tuesday morning when the listed price was 200. The bay is stunning from the water, mountains on one side and Shark Island on the other. Tip: go before 11 AM, the sea was glass and the huts were empty.”
“The drive through the mountain tunnels is an attraction by itself, and Al Rafisah Dam is worth the stop. Only note: we reached the island at noon on a Saturday and it was busy with sharp rocks underfoot, so pack beach shoes and go early. The amphitheatre at golden hour made up for everything.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Khorfakkan Beach
The public beach and corniche are open 24 hours every day with free entry. Water sports huts operate from roughly 9 AM to sunset, and Shark Island boats run from about 9:30 AM with returns until around 8 PM. The most pleasant hours on the sand are 8–11 AM and 4–7 PM.
Expect AED 150–300 for a 30-minute ride from the corniche operators, with weekday deals sometimes dropping near AED 100. Prices are set on-site and negotiable, so always confirm cost, duration and life jacket inclusion before riding.
Basic return boat rides start from AED 25 per adult, departing from the beach corniche from around 9:30 AM with return pickups until roughly 8 PM. The crossing takes about 10 minutes. Packages with snorkelling gear or diving guides cost more.
Yes, it is safe, and yes, there are sharks: small blacktip reef sharks occasionally seen off the island’s eastern side. They are shy and harmless to swimmers. The island (officially Sira Khorfakkan) is best known for turtles, rays, anemone gardens and excellent snorkelling over healthy coral.
Entry is completely free. Khorfakkan is an open public beach with free corniche parking. You only pay for optional extras such as water sports, boat rides or equipment rental.
About 120–140 km, roughly 90 minutes by car via the Sharjah–Khorfakkan highway and its mountain tunnels. There is no practical public transport for a day trip, so most visitors drive or join a guided east coast tour with hotel pickup.
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Ready for the UAE’s Best Beach Day?
Hotel pickup, the scenic mountain highway, Shark Island boat ride arranged and every stop in this guide handled. Message our team your preferred date and group size; we respond within 30 minutes (9 AM to 9 PM GST, Monday to Saturday).
One thought on “All About Khorfakkan Beach: Timings, Jet Ski Prices, Boat Rides & Shark Island Guide 2026”
Hi.
I’d like to know some information.
On my last visit to khorfakkan beach, we were told it’s only for families.
Is there any specific timings of going with friends or if there is other beach allowing bachelors or friends please let me know