Weekend Getaway

Fishing

1. FISHING/SAILING

In the quiet waters of the lagoon provide some of the most interesting sailing in the Northern Emirates.Sailing and exploring the mangrove swamps inhabited by a variety of seabirds, fish and insects offers a unique adventure for any visitor.

Fishing is now becoming very famous in the region as would be anglers try their hand at bagging the big one. Species such as marlin and tuna are highly sought. That sport is inexpensive and Omani waters are abundant in the bait fish that attracts larger predators. The coasts off Sur and Masirah are especially suited for this unique sport.

camel racing

2. CAMEL RACING

The Camel race track is at Al Labsa at inland and it will give you beautiful views of the surrounding terrain. This race track is set in the side of the dunes to the left of the road leading to Falaj Al Moalla. If you travel to Umm Al Quwain during winter from October to April, you can experience the camel races early in the morning on Thursdays and Fridays when a vast crowd sorrounds the area. However, race day is not announced long in advance, so it is best to know someone who has an inside track as to when a race is scheduled. Racing camels are bred for the track and are highly prized possessions. The dunes with the desert foliage make for some of the most pleasing desert camping spots in the emirates.

3. SHOPPING

LULU LOGO

A. Lulu Hypermarket is a great place to shop and buy garments, grocery, foodstuffs, perfumes and electronics as well.

B. Salma Market a small well-known market famous for its cheap clothes.

4. BIRD WATCHING

There is a place there called Khor al Bediah which is well known for its bird watching sites.Another is the shallow tidal lagoons and mudflats of the Al Sinniyah Island with their ideal conditions make for the perfect feeding, nesting and resting habitat for several species of heron and plover, Greater Flamingo, gulls and terns. If you travel to Umm al-Quwain between November and March, you can spot hundreds of Great Cormorants flying just a few feet above the sea while they fly from one sand bar to another.

To spot the rare Arabian species of birds such as the Socotra Cormorant, Crab Plover, Sooty Gull, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Black-crowned Finch Lark, Hume's Wheatear, Purple Sunbird and other Asian migrant specialties you need to spend at least 10 days tour of Bird Watching.

WATER SKI

5. WATER SPORTS

Conditions are ideal for all kinds of water sports including water-skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and jet-skiing, diving, crab hunting. Pink flamingos, jumping fish, turtles, numerous crabs and rays can all be seen in their natural environment. There is a wealth of underwater flora, marine life and diving thrills awaiting the underwater explorer. Several companies specializing in diving services offer a complete range of diving courses, diving equipment and activities (night dives, wreck dives etc).

Umm Al Quwain Marine Club located on the shores of the creek provides facilities for wind surfing, water skiing and sailing.

SKYDIVING

6. AIR SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub ,near Dreamland, is the first UAE aviation club and was set up under the sponsorship of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mualla.This is the best place to fly or learn to fly. Can be noticed easily by the vintage Antonow-2 Bi-Plane and the enormous Iljuschin-76 Cargoplane on display, the Airport has 6 spacious hangers, a 1.800m Runway, with N-VFR lighting.

The club is famous worldwide for its skydiving and parachute championships and has hosted the Asiana Championship 2005, Boogie 2005, 2006 and soon the 2007 one. You can have an opportunity for flying, hot air ballooning, skydiving (single & tandem!), parachuting and paramotoring in the U.A.E.

Training and lessons are given all the year and offered from experienced GCAA certified instructors and pilots. The aircraft available include microlights, gliders, Cessnas and a plane for aerobatics. The Skydiver section recently got a brand-new "AIRVAN" as drop-platform. Flying enthusiasts meet here on Thursdays and Fridays and anyone is welcome to drop in.