About Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain is one among seven emirates constituting the UAE. Located in between Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, along the west coast of UAE, the emirate is the smallest in the UAE, with a land area of 750 to 800 square kilometres. It is located along the vital trade route between Asia and India.
Umm Al-Quwain was formed in 1775 when Sheikh Majid Al Mualla established Umm Al Quwain as an independent sheikhdom. Umm Al Quwain is translated as “Mother of Two Powers”, referring to the tradition of seafaring among tribes in the emirate.
Weather in Umm Al Quwain
The weather in Umm Al-Quwain is pleasant from November to March, with average daytime high temperatures touching 26 degrees and night-time lows at around 15 degrees Celsius. But, between March and October, it is very hot with daytime highs touching 40 degree Celcius, with high humidity levels. Rainfall is rare with an average of 42 millimeters per year.
Things to do in Umm Al Quwain
It is said that Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is the best place in the world for people who enjoy sounds of waves and peace. Sailing in the calm water of lagoon offers best and most interesting sailing in the Northern Emirates.
Water-skiing
UAQ is ideal for water-skiing, kayaking, wind-surfing and jet-skiing. The adventurous visitors could actually sail and canoe through the clear, calm waters to deserted islands and explore the mangrove swamps, wherein dwells several seabirds, insects and fish. There are also pink flamingos, turtles, crabs and jumping fish in the natural environment.
UAQ Marine Club and Riding Center
Located not far from fish souq is a large stretch of shaded beach facing the lagoon. Established in 1979, the riding club has more than 40 horses and a team of qualified riding instructors.
UAQ Aeroclub
Located not far from Dreamland is the UAE aviation club, set up under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mualla. The club is renowned for its skydiving and parachute championships. It also offers opportunities for flying, hot air ballooning, parachuting, skydiving (both single and tandem) and paramonting in the UAE. Training is also offered throughout the year.
UAQ Motor Racing Club
Located along the city side of Dreamland, it offers visitors the opportunity to experience the speed, exhilaration and thrill of off-road dune motor hiking, buggy racing in three purpose-built arenas.
Falaj Al Mualla Garden Park
Located a couple of meters away from UAQ bridge, is the emirates road or outer bypass road. It offers several facilities including swimming pools for adults and kids, apart from kids playground, bbq areas, mini grocery, bikes rental, and tricycle ride.
Bird watching
Bird watchers can enjoy wonderful wildlife at Khor al Beidah and other popular sights lying to south and east of the town. The Al Sinniyah Island, a marine sanctuary covering 90sqkms, and the largest of all islands, is also visible from the Corniche. During the period November to March several great cormorants and other seabirds, are spotted regularly flying few feet above the sea. Shallow lagoons and mud flats get together to combine and create the perfect habitats for feeding and nesting for several species of heron and plover, apart from flamingos, gulls and terns.
Dhow building, Camel racing, fishing, falconry
Dhow building, fishing, camel racing and falconry are few popular sports in UAQ. The craftsmen continue to build traditional boats in the dhow building yard. Shahin or peregrine falcons can be seen in the region, apart from the Al-Hur light-skinned hunting hawk.
The camel race track at Al Labsa offers an exceptionally pretty drive. It is set up in the lee of large dunes, located to left of road leading to Falaj Al Moalla. Camel caravans are a familiar site here, crossing the desert from one race track to another. The dunes in this area, combined with wooded dales, offer a challenging terrain for off road desert drivers and they are referred to as “dune bashers”.
Palma Bowling
The palma bowling is more than bowling. There is pool (snooker), video games, shisha bar, beachside restaurant, and more. The place gives a feel of Egypt and could easily be reached through taxi.
Umm Al Quwain Tourist Spots:
UAQ Museum
The UAQ Museum is a renovated ancient fort used to guard entrance to the old town. The museum houses several artifacts found near archeological sites. Another excavated site, Al-Dur, was actually a coastal city with nearly 200 BCE until the third century CE. The site also contains several interesting artifacts that are housed in the UAQ Museum.
Dreamland
Dreamland is one of the major tourist attractions and is the largest water park in the UAE. Covering about 250,000 square meters, the park features high-salinity pool, raft rides, wave pool, swimming pool, lazy river, several water slides, spa-like pool with a bar for relaxing. Dreamland is just an hour and a half drive from Dubai.
Aquarium
It is on the headland beside the new port. Being a part of Marine Research Centre, it is open to visitors by prior appointment. It features several fish and sea life found in the region, including snakes and corals and rays.
Happyland
It is a kids’ haven with attractive video games, jumping castles and all other entertainment for kids.
UAQ Islands
They lie to the east of mainland peninsula on a unique stretch of coastline comprising sandy islands surrounded by thick mangrove forests separated by series of creeks. The largest among seven islands is Al Sinniyah, followed by Jazirat Al Ghallah and Al Keabe, all visible from old towns. In between these, there is the coastal plains and smaller islands of Al Qaram, Al Sow, Al Harmala and Al Chewria. The Madaar creek running between the islands offer a navigable waterway for fisherman even at low tide when average depth is less than few feet.
Other amenities:
Umm Al Quwain also has great shops like the Lulu Hypermarket offering garments, grocery, foodstuffs, perfumes and electronics, the Salma Market – although small is known for cheap clothes, Al Manamah Hypermarket – is good to shop and offers garments, groceries, foodstuff and perfumes and electronics.
As for eateries, the Al-Ramlah Cafetaria, KFC, Arabian Chicken Hut, Wadi Al Neel Seafood restaurant, baskin robbins, cardoba restaurant, Sadaf cafeteria, and Al Foren Al Sakhen Pastries and Pies are all good choices.
Few good options for accommodation are Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel, Barracuda Beach Resort (offers beach, swimming pool, bbq grills and duty-free liquor store, Flamingo Beach Resort (great place for beach vacationers, offers water sports, diving, snorkelling, fishing, crab hunting, glass bottom boat rides), Pearl Hotel, Palma Beach Hotel, Barracuda Beach Resort, and Royal Residence Resort Villas.
Umm Al Quwain Video