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Umm Al Quwain, one of the 7 emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates has numerous places worth visiting. Although small, Umm Al Quwain exhibits far more topographical diversity than the other emirates in the UAE. |
Sights worth seeing in Umm Al Quwain include lush green mangrove thickets, rolling sand dunes and fertile oases, especially those encircling Falaj Al Moalla.
Below is a list of some of the most popular tourist spots in Umm Al Quwain.
Dreamland Aqua Park
Overlooking the Ras Al Khaimah Highway in Umm Al Quwain, is the sprawling Dreamland Aqua Park; this multi-purpose facility is considered one of the largest water theme parks in the UAE. It also serves as a venue for product launches, live music concerts and other shows. The young and the old alike can indulge in a wide selection of amusements like Go kart competitions, water polo, beach volleyball and even overnight camping.
Besides having 25 aquatic and non-aquatic attractions for children and adults, Dreamland Aqua Park has scores of food stalls and restaurants that serve a variety of food like pizzas, hamburgers, shawarmas, fries, doughnuts, salads, seafood, fruit cocktails, soft fizzy drinks, fruits and cotton candy. Food is to be taken only at designated areas.
For more enquiries: +971 6 7681888 fax: +971 6 7681887
The dhow building yard where craftsmen still manufacture traditional boats is another site that should not be missed. The remnants of the old coral stone houses in and around the fort in the town are living odes to the original architecture and intricate sculptured plaster work. The Aquarium in Umm Al Quwain is located on the headland beside the new port; it is part of the Marine Research Centre and is home to a vast collection of sea creatures found along the local coast, including rays, snakes and corals. Barracuda Beach Resort arranges site visits for touring groups.
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On the eastern coast of Umm Al Quwain are sandy islands with dense mangrove thickets; the islands are separated from one another by narrow creeks. The largest of the 7 islands is Al Sinniyah, followed by Jazirat Al Ghallah and Al Keabe, all of which are visible from the town. |
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Juxtaposed between these and the coastal plains are the smaller islets of Al Sow, Al Qaram, Al Humaidi, Al Chewria and Al Harmala. The Madaar creek running between the islands provides a navigable waterway for fisherman even at low tide when the average depth is less than a few feet.
If you go inland, the road to the Camel race track at Al Labsa affords interesting glimpses of the surrounding terrain. This lovely race track is set in the lee of large dunes to the left of the road leading to Falaj Al Moalla. During winter, the camels race early in the morning on Thursdays and Fridays and spectators throng the area. Camel caravans criss-crossing the desert from one race track to another are a familiar sight in Umm Al Quwain. The dunes together with the desert foliage pose a formidable challenge to off-road desert drivers or ‘dune bashers’.
They also offer some of the most picturesque desert camping spots in the emirates promising an unforgettable night under the Arabian stars. Group camping trips can be arranged.
With the azure sea on one side and the creek on the other, Umm Al Quwain Museum is actually the renovated old fort of Umm Al Quwain that once guarded the entrance to the old town; the museum has an invaluable collection of artefacts that were excavated from important nearby sites like Al Dour, and provides a fascinating insight to bygone aeons.
The ancient wall that used to surround the original settlement of Al Dour in Umm Al Quwain is now being restored to its former glory. Al Dour was a flourishing coastal city from 200 BC to 3rd century AD. Situated along and on the right of the Sharjah/Ras-al-Khaimah highway, the site has been excavated extensively and the relics from the place have been put on display at the UAQ museum.
