Snorkelling- Abu Dhabi or Oman, Muscat?
Discussion
Hi Chaps,
Planning on popping in to the Middle East from Nov 23rd to Nov 27th on the way back from my b.i.l’s wedding.
Trying to squeeze in a nice, relaxing hotel with snorkelling. I have heard good things re Oman, but for ease of flights I would prefer
Abu Dhabi. Plus the hotels are cheaper/nicer.
Is there a decent snorkelling scheme in Abu- tried searching the net but I mostly get sales pitches!
Recommended hotels are also welcome!
HF
Planning on popping in to the Middle East from Nov 23rd to Nov 27th on the way back from my b.i.l’s wedding.
Trying to squeeze in a nice, relaxing hotel with snorkelling. I have heard good things re Oman, but for ease of flights I would prefer
Abu Dhabi. Plus the hotels are cheaper/nicer.
Is there a decent snorkelling scheme in Abu- tried searching the net but I mostly get sales pitches!
Recommended hotels are also welcome!
HF
There is feck all to see when snorkelling close to AUH, even Dubai for that matter. The water is too warm and shallow, not helped by the fact that there is a distinct lack of natural reefs (you will need to scuba dive to see any fish).
Now, the Northern part of Oman (from Dibba harbour) up the coast is pretty decent, but a bit of a trek
Now, the Northern part of Oman (from Dibba harbour) up the coast is pretty decent, but a bit of a trek
Best snorkling here, by a long shot, is Snoopy Island on the Fujairah side.
You will see turtles, baby black tipped reef sharks, schools of baby barracuda and tons of other stuff around the island.
When the tide is in, you walk to the shore side and even when it's in, its a very short swim.
Go to the Sandy Beach Hotel and pay a minimal fee for a day's entrance. You can also take along a cool box full of snacks and beer rather than pay for it there.
It's brilliant.
Edit: even seasoned divers enjoy iy as it's extremely diverse but very accessible.
You will see turtles, baby black tipped reef sharks, schools of baby barracuda and tons of other stuff around the island.
When the tide is in, you walk to the shore side and even when it's in, its a very short swim.
Go to the Sandy Beach Hotel and pay a minimal fee for a day's entrance. You can also take along a cool box full of snacks and beer rather than pay for it there.
It's brilliant.
Edit: even seasoned divers enjoy iy as it's extremely diverse but very accessible.
Asterix said:
Best snorkling here, by a long shot, is Snoopy Island on the Fujairah side.
You will see turtles, baby black tipped reef sharks, schools of baby barracuda and tons of other stuff around the island.
When the tide is in, you walk to the shore side and even when it's in, its a very short swim.
Go to the Sandy Beach Hotel and pay a minimal fee for a day's entrance. You can also take along a cool box full of snacks and beer rather than pay for it there.
It's brilliant.
Edit: even seasoned divers enjoy iy as it's extremely diverse but very accessible.
Just searched for it; wish I hadnt- I initally wanted to go Penang but can not get the flights to work from Kharachi. I can not really stretch any more on the flight costs and the timings. You will see turtles, baby black tipped reef sharks, schools of baby barracuda and tons of other stuff around the island.
When the tide is in, you walk to the shore side and even when it's in, its a very short swim.
Go to the Sandy Beach Hotel and pay a minimal fee for a day's entrance. You can also take along a cool box full of snacks and beer rather than pay for it there.
It's brilliant.
Edit: even seasoned divers enjoy iy as it's extremely diverse but very accessible.
Hotels look cheaper though in Penang and considerable nicer- they actually have some soul!
I think the East Coast has more options, but in UAE you have to factor in transfer/driving time to Fujarah etc.
Oman is great, with a nice coast South from Muscat. There is a nice direct flight from Muscat to LHR with Oman Air - we use it all the time. New planes, 200% better than BA's flight which stops off in AUD en-route.
Plenty of nice hotels here. My favourite is the Grand Hyatt, but most people like The Chedi and the Shangri-la (which is bit remote for my liking). Check out Oman Dive Center online for some fishy spotting options.
Oman is great, with a nice coast South from Muscat. There is a nice direct flight from Muscat to LHR with Oman Air - we use it all the time. New planes, 200% better than BA's flight which stops off in AUD en-route.
Plenty of nice hotels here. My favourite is the Grand Hyatt, but most people like The Chedi and the Shangri-la (which is bit remote for my liking). Check out Oman Dive Center online for some fishy spotting options.
Targarama said:
I think the East Coast has more options, but in UAE you have to factor in transfer/driving time to Fujarah etc.
Oman is great, with a nice coast South from Muscat. There is a nice direct flight from Muscat to LHR with Oman Air - we use it all the time. New planes, 200% better than BA's flight which stops off in AUD en-route.
Plenty of nice hotels here. My favourite is the Grand Hyatt, but most people like The Chedi and the Shangri-la (which is bit remote for my liking). Check out Oman Dive Center online for some fishy spotting options.
Agree, however Hotels in Oman are fecking expensive.Oman is great, with a nice coast South from Muscat. There is a nice direct flight from Muscat to LHR with Oman Air - we use it all the time. New planes, 200% better than BA's flight which stops off in AUD en-route.
Plenty of nice hotels here. My favourite is the Grand Hyatt, but most people like The Chedi and the Shangri-la (which is bit remote for my liking). Check out Oman Dive Center online for some fishy spotting options.
Well its looking like Dubai/Abu at the moment; can not get the flights and hotel price to work at Oman.
In honesty, if Abu is no better for snorkelling I might as well stay in Dubai for ease of everything else (we went there for our honeymoon, and my wife is from Jeddah).
Can not get that excited to be honest about the trip now; wanted to get intothe sea but that will have to happen next year. Although hell will freeze over when I stay in Pakistan over Dubai/Abu Dhabi!
Nice hotel it is..
In honesty, if Abu is no better for snorkelling I might as well stay in Dubai for ease of everything else (we went there for our honeymoon, and my wife is from Jeddah).
Can not get that excited to be honest about the trip now; wanted to get intothe sea but that will have to happen next year. Although hell will freeze over when I stay in Pakistan over Dubai/Abu Dhabi!
Nice hotel it is..
Henry Fiddleton said:
Well its looking like Dubai/Abu at the moment; can not get the flights and hotel price to work at Oman.
In honesty, if Abu is no better for snorkelling I might as well stay in Dubai for ease of everything else (we went there for our honeymoon, and my wife is from Jeddah).
Can not get that excited to be honest about the trip now; wanted to get intothe sea but that will have to happen next year. Although hell will freeze over when I stay in Pakistan over Dubai/Abu Dhabi!
Nice hotel it is..
If you're in Dubai for a while then rent a car and drive to the East Coast. Just watch out for Pakistani truck drivers (not a racist comment, an observation that most accidents seem to be caused by/involve them).In honesty, if Abu is no better for snorkelling I might as well stay in Dubai for ease of everything else (we went there for our honeymoon, and my wife is from Jeddah).
Can not get that excited to be honest about the trip now; wanted to get intothe sea but that will have to happen next year. Although hell will freeze over when I stay in Pakistan over Dubai/Abu Dhabi!
Nice hotel it is..
Flights booked- get in to Dubai Thursday 24th midday, and leave midday Sunday.
Wonder if its worth book a hotel at Fujairah? Involves driving for 2 hours from Dubai over the East...tempted but not sure how safe it is driving in the UAE or if its worth driving for 2 hours.
Hotels are cheaper though- Dubai is somewhat a rip off!
Wonder if its worth book a hotel at Fujairah? Involves driving for 2 hours from Dubai over the East...tempted but not sure how safe it is driving in the UAE or if its worth driving for 2 hours.
Hotels are cheaper though- Dubai is somewhat a rip off!
So are you over for 2 whole days (doesn't sound like you'll have time for much on the day of of arrival and day of departure), or 9 days? It isn't clear to me. If 2 days then stay in Dubai. If 9 days then the drive is worth it as you'll be bored of Dubai after 4-5 days. 2-3 nights on the East Coast would be ideal.
Driving in the Middle East really depends on you. How much have you driven abroad? Are you an observant driver? Are you a confident driver? If you've 'been around a bit' It is perfectly safe here as long as you are prepared to give way/swerve/move over etc. to avoid everyone else, and if you use your mirrors all the time and drive defensively. Expect anything to come at you, from any direction and you'll do just fine. Oh, and don't curse or give the finger to any locals, you could end up in jail. Hope I haven't put you off, driving here is actually fun in a pacman demolition derby kind of way.
Driving in the Middle East really depends on you. How much have you driven abroad? Are you an observant driver? Are you a confident driver? If you've 'been around a bit' It is perfectly safe here as long as you are prepared to give way/swerve/move over etc. to avoid everyone else, and if you use your mirrors all the time and drive defensively. Expect anything to come at you, from any direction and you'll do just fine. Oh, and don't curse or give the finger to any locals, you could end up in jail. Hope I haven't put you off, driving here is actually fun in a pacman demolition derby kind of way.
Hi,
Thanks for advice so far- much appreciated.
Land on the 24th and I am off on the 27th, so only a few
days.
Driven in Europe alot, and am generally aware- but I've heard
and seen some if driving in the UAE.
Will run the options by the misses. If I end up at the auto drome the
wife will have my nuts cut off- already racing in the uk Oct 22,30th, Nov 5th
and Nov 13th!
HF
Thanks for advice so far- much appreciated.
Land on the 24th and I am off on the 27th, so only a few
days.
Driven in Europe alot, and am generally aware- but I've heard
and seen some if driving in the UAE.
Will run the options by the misses. If I end up at the auto drome the
wife will have my nuts cut off- already racing in the uk Oct 22,30th, Nov 5th
and Nov 13th!
HF
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