From Dubai: Try Scuba Diving, Snorkeling with BBQ & Transfer

Fujairah gives you a far better setting for a first underwater outing than a city beach. This full-day trip takes you from Dubai to Snoopy Island for a beginner scuba session, then on to Sharm Rocks for snorkeling where you might spot turtles and large groups of fish. You finish with a BBQ lunch before a few short sightseeing stops on the way home.

I like two things here: the calm instruction, especially the reassuring approach credited to Fahad, and the practical extras. Underwater photos, equipment, changing rooms, lockers, showers, and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to build the day from separate pieces. The small group, capped at 10 people, also makes the morning more personal.

The main drawback is the early start and long road time. Pickup is usually between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, and the drive from Dubai takes about 1.5 hours each way, with traffic able to stretch the return. This is a full day, not a quick beach outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Snoopy Island is the main underwater stop: You get a beginner scuba session and time to snorkel in the same coastal area.
• Sharm Rocks adds a second water setting: The snorkeling session lasts about 1.5 hours and may bring turtle sightings.
• Instructor Fahad is a useful name for first-timers: His calm, patient manner helped one nervous beginner feel safe quickly.
• The $163 price covers more than the water activity: Transfers, equipment, underwater photos, BBQ lunch, drinks, and facilities are part of the package.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 10 participants is a good fit if you want guidance without a large boat crowd.
• The return drive includes three brief sights: Al Bidya Mosque, Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, and Khorfakkan Waterfalls break up the journey back to Dubai.

Why Fujairah makes sense for a first scuba outing

Dubai is the obvious base for water activities, but Fujairah gives this trip a change of scene and access to named coastal sites such as Snoopy Island and Sharm Rocks. You leave the city early, cross toward the east coast, and spend the useful part of the day on or in the water rather than around a hotel pool.

The activity is designed for beginners. You receive an introduction to the equipment and basic skills in confined water before heading out for the sea session. That step matters. It gives you time to get used to breathing through the regulator, wearing the equipment, and staying calm before dealing with open water.

You do need to be medically fit. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people with respiratory issues. Children under 10 cannot join. If any of those points may apply to you, check before paying rather than hoping the rules can be bent on the day.

The instructors speak English, Russian, Hebrew, Italian, and Arabic. One instructor, Fahad, received particular praise for his patient and reassuring way with beginners. That is useful information if you feel nervous. A first underwater session depends as much on confidence as on scenery.

The early road from Dubai to Fujairah

Pickup is from your Dubai or Fujairah hotel, with Dubai departures generally scheduled between 6:00 and 7:00 AM. You receive the exact pickup time one day ahead, so keep the morning free and be ready before the stated time.

The drive from Dubai to the Fujairah coast takes about 1.5 hours in the stated itinerary. On the return, city traffic can make the trip longer. I would not schedule a fixed dinner reservation or another timed attraction in Dubai after this outing. The tour lasts around eight hours, but road conditions can affect when you are back.

The transfer is a real part of the value here. You do not have to arrange a taxi, find the dive center, or work out how to reach the coast. It also means you can relax after the water sessions instead of driving while tired. The tradeoff is simple: you spend several hours in a van for access to Fujairah.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the road, and bring your original passport. The passport requirement is specific, not a suggestion to carry a phone image. You also need swimwear and a towel. Towels, sunblock, and swimwear are not included, so pack all three if you want a comfortable day.

Getting ready at Snoopy Island

The first major stop is Snoopy Island, where the schedule allows about 1.5 hours for scuba and snorkeling. The name refers to the island’s familiar shape, but the practical point is that this is your main training and underwater session.

At the start, the certified instructor helps you with the equipment and basic skills. Even if you have never used scuba gear before, the session is set up for beginners. You should expect instruction before going farther from shore, followed by a boat ride to the sea site.

The supplied equipment includes the scuba gear and snorkeling gear. That keeps the packing list short, although you still need swimwear, a towel, and sun protection. Freshwater showers and a toilet are available on board, while lockers and changing rooms are available at the dive center. Those details matter more than they sound: you can change, store your things, and rinse off without improvising at the beach.

The underwater setting includes coral reefs and marine life. The professional guide knows the sites and helps point out what is around you. Fish are a major part of the session, and turtles are possible. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so book this for the chance to see marine life rather than a promise of a particular animal.

The scuba portion is the day’s main draw, but you do not have to stay below the surface to enjoy the site. After the first session, you receive a mask and snorkel and can watch from above. This is especially handy if one person in your group is more comfortable snorkeling while another wants to try scuba.

Snorkeling at Sharm Rocks

After Snoopy Island, the boat continues to Sharm Rocks for another 1.5-hour snorkeling session. Having a second water stop gives the day more variety and lets you see the coast from a different position rather than repeating one short swim.

You can float at the surface and look down at fish without going deep. The trip specifically highlights the chance to see turtles, and that possibility is one of the strongest reasons to bring a mask even if your scuba session is the part you booked for.

I would treat the snorkeling time as a chance to slow down. The scuba session asks you to focus on breathing, equipment, and instructions. Snorkeling is simpler, and you can spend more attention looking for movement among the reef and fish. If you are nervous at the start of the morning, this second water session may feel easier.

Underwater photos are included. The guide and instructors take pictures during the water activities and send them to you, according to the arrangements described for the trip. That is a useful inclusion at this price, since many water operators charge separately for photos. Still, bring modest expectations about the number and style of images. The important thing is that you can enjoy the session instead of trying to operate your own camera.

BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis Dive Club

The meal comes after the water activities at Reef Oasis Dive Club and lasts about 40 minutes. The food includes BBQ tikka chicken and tikka meat, with unlimited soft juice and water.

This is not a long restaurant lunch or a formal seaside meal. It is a practical refueling stop after a physically active morning. You can sit down, eat, and talk through what you saw before the road portion begins.

The dive center provides changing rooms, lockers, and sunbeds for tanning. A freshwater shower is also available, which is welcome after saltwater sessions. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you want to dry off before lunch or the drive.

The meal helps explain the $163 price. You are not paying only for a short underwater lesson. The rate also includes a Dubai or Fujairah hotel transfer, scuba and snorkeling equipment, a certified instructor, underwater photos, lunch, drinks, and use of the facilities. For someone who needs all of those pieces, the package is easier to manage than arranging each one alone.

For someone already staying in Fujairah with equipment and transport, the value is less obvious. You are mainly paying for instruction, organized boat access, lunch, and the small group. From Dubai, the included transfer makes the price easier to justify.

Three short sights on the way home

The return route includes three brief sightseeing stops. None is long enough to replace a dedicated cultural or architectural tour, but they break up the drive and add some variety after the water portion.

Al Bidya Mosque

The stop at Al Bidya Mosque lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, not an extended visit. Keep your expectations in proportion to the timetable. It is a short pause rather than a full guided exploration.

Khorfakkan Amphitheatre

The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre receives about 15 minutes. This gives you time to see the structure and take in the setting before returning to the van. It is a useful stop for anyone who wants a little more than a water-only day.

Khorfakkan Waterfalls

The final sightseeing stop is Khorfakkan Waterfalls, also listed for about 15 minutes. These quick visits are best viewed as bonuses. They make the return journey more pleasant, but you should not book this tour expecting long visits at any of the three sites.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is 10. That is small enough to make a difference during the preparation stage, when you may need help with your mask, equipment, or breathing technique.

A smaller group can also make the instructor’s attention more useful for first-timers. The calm approach associated with Fahad is especially relevant here. One nervous beginner reportedly felt safe quickly, which is exactly the kind of support you want before entering the sea.

The group size does not mean you get a private tour. You still share the transport, boat, instructor, and lunch setting with other people. If you want a completely private session, this is not described as one. If you want to avoid a large commercial crowd, a limit of 10 is a strong middle ground.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Bring your original passport, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, swimwear, a towel, and sunblock. The operator supplies the scuba and snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to carry your own mask, fins, or scuba kit.

A small personal bag is useful for dry clothes and essentials. Lockers are available at the dive center, but the safest habit is still to avoid carrying valuables you do not need.

The day begins early, includes several hours in the water, and ends with a road trip. I would pack dry clothes for the return, even though they are not specifically required. That is practical rather than extravagant after two water sessions.

Who should book this Fujairah day trip

This suits you best if you are staying in Dubai, want to try scuba without committing to a certification course, and prefer an organized day with transport included. It is also a good choice if your group has mixed interests, since one person can try scuba while another spends more time snorkeling.

You should be comfortable in the water and medically fit. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and it is not designed for children under 10. Anyone with heart or respiratory problems, or anyone who is pregnant, should not book it.

The trip also suits people who value convenience. The instructor, equipment, boat access, lunch, drinks, photos, facilities, and transfers are all arranged. You give up some flexibility in return. The pickup is early, the schedule is fixed, and the sightseeing stops are brief.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want a first scuba experience from Dubai and care about calm instruction, a small group, and a package that covers nearly every practical detail. The chance to snorkel near turtles, receive underwater photos, and stop at Fujairah sites gives the day more substance than a single short water session.

I would skip it if you dislike early starts, long vehicle transfers, or fixed group schedules. The $163 cost is strongest for Dubai visitors who would otherwise need to arrange transport, equipment, lunch, and instruction separately. For a beginner who wants an easy route into scuba, this is a well-rounded choice. Just pack your towel and sunblock, carry your passport, and leave your evening schedule open.

FAQ

Where does this scuba and snorkeling trip take place?

The water activities take place in Fujairah, with scuba and snorkeling at Snoopy Island and snorkeling at Sharm Rocks.

Is hotel pickup included from Dubai?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Dubai or Fujairah hotels. Dubai pickup is generally between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, with the exact time provided one day in advance.

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The stated drive from Dubai to Fujairah takes about 1.5 hours, and the itinerary includes water activities, lunch, and three short sightseeing stops.

Is the experience suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The certified instructor provides basic training in confined water before the sea session. You must still be medically fit and able to swim.

Are scuba and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment are included. You need to bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunblock.

What is included with lunch?

BBQ lunch is served at Reef Oasis Dive Club and includes tikka chicken and tikka meat. Unlimited soft juice and water are included.