From Dubai: 2 Dives for Certified Divers with BBQ & Transfer

Fujairah’s East Coast offers a very different day from Dubai’s malls and towers: two guided scuba sessions among soft corals, hard corals, wrecks, and artificial reefs, followed by a BBQ lunch and a few scenic stops. At Snoopy Rock and Sharm Rocks, divers have spotted green turtles, puffers, clownfish, rays, parrotfish, and even a blacktip reef shark.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives the instructor room to help with buoyancy, equalizing, and marine-life spotting. I also like the easy hotel transfer and the useful changing facilities at Reef Oasis Diving Center. The main consideration is that the advertised boat facilities may not always match the boat provided, so confirm the vessel and amenities if a toilet, shower, indoor salon, or sunbed matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Two different Fujairah sites: Each underwater session lasts about an hour, with a 30-minute surface break between them.
• Marine life worth watching for: Green turtles, rays, puffers, clownfish, parrotfish, large schools of fish, reef sharks, shrimps, and nudibranchs may appear.
• Guides who work closely with you: Sina and Fajad have received particular praise for careful briefings, communication, and practical help with equalizing.
• A comfortable shore setup: Reef Oasis Diving Center has separate changing rooms, lockers, and showers.
• A full day from Dubai: Early pickup, two underwater sessions, lunch, and three short sightseeing stops fill roughly eight hours.
• One equipment question to settle first: The package describes a 42-foot boat with a toilet, shower, indoor seating, and sunbed, but one booking reported that these features were not present.

Two Fujairah reefs instead of one rushed session

The core of this outing is simple: you leave Dubai early, reach Fujairah, and make two underwater excursions at separate sites. Each session is planned for about one hour, with a half-hour break in between.

That second site matters. A single location can give you a good look at local sea life, but two sites give you a better chance of seeing different habitats. Fujairah’s coast includes natural coral, artificial reef structures, and wrecks. You might spend one session watching reef fish move through coral and the next examining a sunken object or searching carefully for small creatures.

The program suits a newly certified scuba diver as well as someone with many logged sessions. The instructor adjusts the pace for the group, and the supplied information specifically says the team can support people on their first outing after certification. Still, you need to be medically fit and carry your scuba license and original passport.

I would not treat this as a lesson or a basic introduction. You need a valid certification. If you have not used your equipment for a long time, tell the instructor early. That gives the team a chance to pay closer attention to your comfort and preparation.

What you may see below the surface

Fujairah is especially appealing to people who enjoy searching rather than simply looking for large animals. Keep your eyes close to the reef. Shrimps and nudibranchs can be tiny and easy to miss, while a turtle or ray may attract attention from the entire group.

At Snoopy Rock and Sharm Rocks, one guest reported seeing green turtles at both sites, along with puffers, clownfish, parrotfish, large schools of fish, and a large adult blacktip reef shark. Another account noted a ray and a sea snake. A small wreck in about 25 meters of water has also been seen in the area.

These sightings are possibilities, not promises. Marine life follows its own schedule, and the exact sites can depend on sea conditions and local planning. The advantage of going with an instructor who knows the locations is that you are less likely to swim past the smaller subjects. Guides can point out animals that blend into coral or rock, then help you stay with the group.

Sina was singled out for clear communication and patience, while Fajad was praised for careful instruction and advice on equalizing. You cannot assume that either person will lead your group on a particular date, but those details give you a useful idea of the hands-on guidance available.

The early start from Dubai

Pickup takes place from Dubai or Fujairah hotels, usually between 6:00 and 7:00 in the morning. You receive the exact time one day before the activity, so keep your phone available and be ready before the stated pickup.

From Dubai, this is a long morning but an efficient one. The transfer removes the need to rent a car or work out the route to Fujairah. It also means you can relax after the two underwater sessions instead of driving back while tired.

The tradeoff is the early departure. This is not a late-start holiday activity you can add casually after breakfast. I would plan the night before carefully, pack your passport and certification card, and avoid scheduling another fixed event in Dubai that evening.

The small-group limit of 10 is helpful during transport, equipment preparation, and the water sessions. It does not guarantee that every person will have the same comfort level or interests, but it keeps the group more manageable than a large boat operation.

Equipment, briefing, and the shore facilities

Scuba equipment is included, which makes the $160 price easier to assess. You do not need to bring your own regulator, tank, or basic kit, though you should bring your certification, swimwear, towel, sunblock, and passport.

The center provides male and female changing rooms, lockers, and showers. That is a real practical benefit. You can change properly after the second session, rinse off, and sit down for lunch without spending the rest of the day in wet swimwear.

One useful point from the feedback is that the equipment and briefing were described as good, though the briefing could use some improvement in places. I would listen closely and ask direct questions if you need a refresher on hand signals, the route, equalizing, or how the group will stay together.

The advertised boat is a 42-foot cruiser with a sunbed, sound system, toilet, freshwater shower, and indoor seating. One booking specifically reported that the larger boat facilities were not available. That is the clearest weakness in the package description, so ask Reef Oasis Diving Center to confirm the boat on your date if comfort onboard is important.

The boat detail matters most during the surface interval. A sunbed and indoor salon can make a warm, bright day easier, while a smaller or less equipped vessel may feel more basic. Do not assume that every listed feature will be present unless the operator confirms it.

The 30-minute break between sessions

The break is short enough to keep the day moving, but long enough to rest, drink, and prepare for the second session. You should use it to check your equipment, take in fluids, and tell the instructor about any discomfort from the first session.

A half-hour does not leave much time for a leisurely meal or a long swim. Lunch comes later at the dive center, so bring only what you need for the boat and follow the crew’s instructions about personal items.

This pause also gives you a chance to decide how much energy you want to spend on the second site. The day includes transport, two underwater sessions, lunch, and sightseeing, so pace yourself rather than treating the first session like a race.

BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis Diving Center

After the second session, you return to Reef Oasis Diving Center for a BBQ lunch lasting about 40 minutes. The meal is described as nice, plentiful, and well prepared, with one booking calling it tasty and another specifically praising the BBQ.

I like the timing. Eating back at the center means you can change, shower, and settle into dry clothes before the ride toward Dubai. It also avoids trying to balance plates and swim gear on a moving boat.

Forty minutes is enough for a proper meal, but it is not an extended social lunch. If you want time to linger, browse, or relax at length, this schedule may feel brisk. The focus is on refueling before the return drive and the short sightseeing stops.

Three short stops on the way back

The return route includes Al Bidya Mosque, Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, and Khorfakkan Waterfalls. Treat these as brief photo and viewing stops, not full visits.

Al Bidya Mosque receives about 10 minutes. That is enough to pause and see one of the region’s notable religious landmarks, but not enough for a detailed visit. Dress and behave respectfully around a mosque, and follow any instructions from the guide.

The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre stop lasts about 15 minutes. You can take in the broad view, make a few photographs, and stretch your legs. The visit is a pleasant change after the boat and vehicle portions, though the short timing means you will not explore the area in depth.

The waterfall also gets around 15 minutes. It is another quick scenic pause before the final drive to Dubai. These stops add variety and make the return journey feel less like a straight transfer, but they should not be the main reason you book. The underwater sessions are the heart of the day.

Is $160 a fair price?

At $160 per person, the package is not the cheapest way to reach the East Coast, but it bundles several costs that can add up quickly. You get hotel pickup and return, equipment, two guided sessions at different sites, an instructor, lunch, and the boat trip.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Dubai and do not want to arrange transport, tanks, equipment rental, and lunch separately. The included transfer alone saves planning time and removes the need for a long drive after two hours in the water.

The price is less compelling if you already own all your equipment, can drive to Fujairah easily, or prefer a very basic boat day. It also depends on the boat actually matching the promised facilities. Confirm that point before paying if the onboard toilet, shower, indoor seating, or sunbed is part of your calculation.

The 4.5 rating from 69 bookings suggests a generally strong experience, but the lower score tied to missing boat amenities is worth taking seriously. The underwater guidance and lunch receive the strongest praise, while expectations about the boat need the most careful checking.

Who should book this Fujairah outing?

I would choose this for a certified scuba diver who wants a convenient full-day trip from Dubai, values guided marine-life spotting, and likes the idea of pairing underwater time with a BBQ and a few East Coast views.

It is particularly suitable for:

• A newly certified person who wants supportive guidance on the first few outings
• An experienced scuba diver looking for turtles, reef fish, macro subjects, or wrecks
• A couple or small group that prefers a maximum of 10 participants
• Someone who wants hotel transport rather than a self-drive day
• A diver who appreciates changing rooms, lockers, and showers after the sessions

I would hesitate if your priority is a luxury yacht experience, a long sightseeing program, or complete control over the underwater schedule. I would also be cautious if you are not medically fit, cannot produce your certification, or do not want an early morning pickup.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms help if your UAE plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to be ready with the required documents and personal swim gear.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring your original passport, scuba certification, swimwear, towel, and sunblock. Towels, sunblock, and swimwear are not included, so do not rely on the center to supply them.

I would also pack a dry change of clothes for the drive home. The changing rooms and showers make that easy, and dry clothing will be much more comfortable after a full day near the water.

Keep your documents secure and accessible. You need the passport and certification for the activity, and searching through luggage at the center is an avoidable nuisance.

The final call

Book this experience if you want two properly guided underwater sessions and a practical all-day package from Dubai. The best reasons are the range of Fujairah habitats, the chance to look for turtles and small reef creatures, the helpful instructors, and the included transport and lunch.

Before booking, confirm the boat you will use and its onboard facilities. If the operator clears up that point, the package offers solid value for a certified scuba diver who wants a straightforward East Coast day without arranging every detail alone.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba certification?

Yes. You must carry your scuba diving license, and the activity is for certified divers.

How long is the activity?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel transfers, two underwater sessions, lunch, and sightseeing stops.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided sessions at different Fujairah sites are included. Each is scheduled for about one hour.

What marine life could I see?

Possible sightings include green turtles, rays, puffers, clownfish, parrotfish, large schools of fish, blacktip reef sharks, shrimps, nudibranchs, and sea snakes. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. Scuba equipment and two guided sessions are included.

Is hotel pickup available from Dubai?

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

What should I bring?

Bring your original passport, scuba certification, swimwear, a towel, and sunblock. Towels, sunblock, and swimwear are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Reef Oasis Diving Center is included after the second underwater session.