01
Al Sinniyah Island
Excavations here uncovered a long-lived pearling settlement and one of the oldest Christian monasteries known in the Gulf.
05 · Emirate
Umm Al Quwain
The quiet one
The least developed stretch of the northern coast, and deliberately so. Its lagoon and mangroves are among the country's most important bird habitats, and its offshore island holds the remains of a pearling town that traded here long before oil.
Getting there
About 45 minutes from Sharjah and an hour from Dubai along the coast road; a car is the practical option.
When to go
November to March, when migratory birds are on the flats and the lagoon is comfortable for paddling.
Good to know
Island access is by licensed boat operators only, and parts of the reserve close during nesting season.
Signature places
What makes Umm Al Quwain itself
02
Khor Al Beidah
Tidal flats and mangroves holding internationally significant numbers of crab plovers and flamingos.
03
Ed-Dur
One of the largest pre-Islamic sites on the Gulf coast, with a temple, a fort and graves spanning the first centuries AD.
04
The old harbour
Fishing boats unload each morning beside the fort and the watchtowers of the old town.
See the place
Umm Al Quwain before you arrive
Across the Emirates
One country, seven worlds
0s / 42s
Wide view
Experiences here
What to do here
Umm Al Quwain · Heritage & forts
Al Sinniyah Island archaeology
A pearling town that traded here for centuries, and one of the oldest Christian monasteries known in the Gulf — reached by licensed boat only.
Half dayAED 220 from
Umm Al Quwain · Coast & islands
Birding the tidal flats
Khor Al Beidah holds internationally significant numbers of crab plovers. Bring a scope, and go two hours before high tide.
3 hoursFree
Tickets
Book entry now
Umm Al Quwain
Dreamland Aqua Park
Instant
Family rates from four people
AED 145 from
Where to stay
Rooms in Umm Al Quwain
★★★ · Umm Al Quwain old town
Old Harbour Inn
Beside the fort and the watchtowers, where the boats unload at first light and the island trips leave.
Fishing harbourIsland boats
Free cancellation · 9 rooms left · 226 reviews
AED 330per night
Eat & drink
Tables worth booking
Seafood · •
Harbour Shack
Whatever the boats brought in that morning, fried, with lime and rice. There is no menu.
Tours that include it
Let somebody else drive
8 days · 7 emirates
The Seven Emirates Grand Tour
One country, all seven emirates, anticlockwise from the capital so the mountains and the east coast come last.
- 7 nights, 4★ and 5★
- Private guide & vehicle
- All entries
- Airport transfers
AED 7,450per person
4 days · 3 emirates
The Quiet North
Three emirates most itineraries skip: flamingo lagoons, a pearling island and the last working dhow yards.
- Dawn kayak, Al Zorah
- Al Sinniyah archaeology
- Pearl farm
- Dhow yard visit
AED 3,180per person
People who were there
Umm Al Quwain, as visitors see it
@harbour.six.am
The boats come in and the whole town is on the quay. No tickets, no queue.
Umm Al Quwain harbour · #UmmAlQuwain
Continue the journey
And next door
01 · Emirate
Abu Dhabi
The capital, at its own pace
Heritage & fortsArts & museums
02 · Emirate
Dubai
Where the record is the baseline
Desert & dunesArts & museums
03 · Emirate
Sharjah
The country's reading room
Arts & museumsHeritage & forts
04 · Emirate
Ajman
Small emirate, long shoreline
Coast & islandsHeritage & forts
Every emirate is within a day's drive of every other.