Things To Do in Ras Al Khaimah

The Adventure Emirate

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate, an hour from Dubai, and it has the UAE's highest mountain, its longest beaches and the only desert, mountain and sea combination you can cover in one day. It is quieter and cheaper than Dubai, with a string of resort hotels on Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra, and most visitors use it as a beach base with a day or two of excursions.

Jebel Jais

Jebel Jais rises to 1,934 meters in the Hajar mountains, reached by a switchback road with viewing platforms along the way. The summit area has the world's longest zipline, a mountain coaster and a viewing deck, and it is ten degrees cooler than the coast. The private Jebel Jais mountain tour with transfers from Dubai or RAK hotels covers the road, the viewpoints and time at the top.

Desert Evenings

The shared evening desert safari takes a 4x4 over the dunes at sunset, then into a Bedouin-style camp for camel rides, henna, a barbecue dinner and shows. It is the most booked experience in the emirate and runs about four hours with hotel pickup. Wadi Shawka, in the foothills, has natural rock pools after rain, and the private 4WD day tour combines the wadi with a desert drive.

Pearls and the Sea

Pearl diving was the Gulf's economy before oil, and the House of Pearls tour sails a traditional boat to the only working pearl farm in the UAE, where a live oyster is opened at the end; it is the highest-rated tour in Ras Al Khaimah. The scenic microlight flight takes off from Al Jazirah Al Hamra for a fifteen-minute loop over the coast and the desert.

Musandam Day Trips

Ras Al Khaimah is the closest emirate to Oman's Musandam peninsula, whose fjord-like inlets are an hour and a half north. The Dibba dhow cruise crosses into the Omani coast without a visa for swimming, snorkeling and lunch on board. The Khasab trip goes through the border post to the main fjord, where dolphins follow the boats most mornings. Bring your passport for both.

Timing

November to March is the comfortable season for the desert and the mountain. Summer is hot on the coast, but Jebel Jais stays bearable. Most tours here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.