Dibba Al Hisn

dibba al hisn sharjah enclave

Dibba Al Hisn is a small enclave of Sharjah nestled between Dibba Fujairah and Dibba Oman on the northeastern coast.

dibba al hisn canal sharjah

It has a tiny population and two main roads. On one of them, one side consists solely of government buildings in the traditional Sharjah style of Arabic architecture.

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Dibba Al Hisn Sharjah

You might be surprised at how many there are for such a small place. Still, the Sharjah government has provided everything necessary for local inhabitants without the need to travel to other parts of the country. The other side has restaurants, shops, apartments, and a small mall.

Main-street-Dibba-al-Hisn

The other main road in Dibba Al Hisn is Corniche Street. The new canal runs the length of the road, starting at the harbour and coming out into the sea before the Oman border. There is a jogging track from one end to the other, two outdoor gym areas, one at each end, seating along the canal, and a cafe/restaurant at either end.

Dibba Al Hisn Beach Park

Beyond that is a beautiful beach with white sands, clear turquoise water, traditional swings and sheltered seating areas set in gardens and a view of the Hajar mountains on either side. From the breakwater, enjoy the view over to Musandam, Oman and look out for crabs scuttling around the rocks.

crabs at dibba al hisn beach

Recently the beach has been divided into two sections with a breakwater down the middle. Keep in mind that Diba Al Hisn is a much more conservative area and this isn’t a beach for bikinis. The beach is mainly used by local Emiratis and other nationals who also tend to live a more conservative life.

dibba al hisn beach sharjah east coast

At the end of the UAE stretch of road is the Heritage Village, open at certain times of year for special events. The Oman border is directly after that. You need a permit to enter Musandam. (You can read more about Musandam and plan a trip here.)

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Al Hisn Island

A third main road is relatively new and goes around Al Hisn Island, which sits on the opposite side of the canal. Several shaded play areas for children in Palm Oasis on Al Hisn Island are along the canal. There are plenty of benches for parents to sit and enjoy the view of the mountains while the children play, and a couple of coffee shops just one to two minutes walk away.

Further out are benches along the corniche with great views overlooking the Gulf of Oman, Musandam and Fujairah. New developments are taking place.

view of Dibba Musandam from Diba al Hisn Sharjah UAE

A recent addition is Wave cafe and restaurant. It has indoor seating and also outdoor seating on both the lower terrace and upper terrace, with fabulous views. It opens from 7:30am until late.

Wave Cafe Restaurant Dibba Al hisn

Dibba Al Hisn Archaeological Site

Dibba Al Hisn has a fort but this is currently under restoration. It can be seen from the Corniche St.

Dibba Al Hisn Fort

Archaeological sites here date back to both the pre-Islamic period and the 15th century. The first is a large tomb discovered under a resident’s house. It contained skeletons and items such as pottery and ivory combs.

You can see some of the finds, including Roman pottery and Greek drachmas, in Al Hisn Museum, Khor Fakkan.

exhibits from Diba Al Hisn at Khor Fakkan Al Hisn Museum

According to the finds, it is thought that Dibba was a port frequented by many ships in the first century AD on a route from Eastern Europe to India and that the remains of the port lie under the modern-day Dibba.

exhibit from Dibba Al Hisn at Khor Fakkan Museum

It was also the site of great battles in the 7th and 9th centuries and there is a large cemetery nearby thought to be the final resting place of those who died in the first battle, so it has quite a rich history.

If you’re looking for some adventure, you could try scuba diving with Neptune Diving Centre, which is based in Dibba Al Hisn Port.

Scuba diving from Dibba Al Hisn
Photo Credit: Neptune Diving Center, Dibba Al Hisn

Other photos around Dibba Al Hisn Sharjah

Dibba Al Hisn is included in some of the walking tours and itineraries in my book, ‘Exploring the Emirate of Sharjah – Walking and cycling tours and itineraries in the city and Central and Eastern Regions’. Buy your copy here.

Buy Exploring the Emirate of Sharjah – walking, cycling tours and itineraries

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Take me to the map

Dibba Al Hisn is often overlooked but should be added to your list of places to visit so you can enjoy the combination of beautiful beach, mountains and sea.

Also, visit nearby Sambraid just a couple of kilometres down the coast, where you can take a dhow or fishing trip from Al Hamoor.

What can I combine with my trip to Dibba Al Hisn?

  • Sambraid
  • Dibba Fujairah
  • Dahir Hiking
  • Wadi Kub
  • Tawyeen
  • Ain al Sheria
  • Wadi Sena

This post was first published on 15 February 2020 and updated on 1 October 2023.


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