Car & Van Hire - Fujairah

Fujairah may not have the glitz and glam of Dubai, but it's a great destination for those who want to get away from it all. Its beaches are some of the best in the Middle East, with water that is both warm and beautifully clear. Behind the city, the rugged mountains that mark the skyline are a hiker's paradise. If you're looking for adventure, this is the Emirate for you!

There are many options for swimming, diving and snorkelling around Fujairah. Perhaps the best is Dibba Rock, with dives that can go as deep as 30 m underwater. On good days, the 10 m visibility transforms the seabed into a paradise. You'll see many kinds of colourful coral, with fish and other creatures darting around you. If you're lucky, you can even get close to the green sea turtles that live in the area.

If you don't want to go quite so deep, head out to Snoopy Island. This oddly-named hunk of rock is one of the best spots for snorkelling in the area. You can swim out there from the well-named Sandy Beach. The water here is crystal clear, and all kinds of sea creatures lurk in the shallows around the rocky island. Don't panic if you spot some blacktip reef sharks. They may look menacing, but they don't pose a threat to humans.

Prefer to stay on dry land? With car hire in Fujairah, you can easily go for a day of hiking in the Hajar Mountains. Make sure you've got plenty of sunscreen, as the sun here shines brightly all year round. There are many trails that wind through the mountain range, offering spectacular views over the Gulf of Oman. Tiny ponds and streams and beautiful valleys will make your hike memorable.

There's plenty to explore around the city, too, and car and van hire in Fujairah makes it easy. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is based on the one in Abu Dhabi and is the second-largest house of worship in the UAE. You will need to dress modestly if you want to go inside. Visitors are welcome, but sleeveless tops and shorts are not permitted, and women will need to cover their hair. There are guided tours of the mosque every day except Friday.

You can also wander around Fujairah Fort, a squat defensive structure just 1 km from the sea. This 16th-century fort was used extensively to fight against colonial powers. It has an interesting, irregular shape thanks to the uneven rock beneath it. If that's not enough history for you, the nearby Fujairah Museum is also worth a visit.

Fujairah is one of the smaller cities in the Emirates, and it does not have major traffic problems. You will likely see some congestion driving too, and from the larger cities of Sharjah and Dubai, particularly at rush hour. It's also worth remembering that many Emiratis come to Fujairah for a beach weekend. This means you can often expect more traffic around town between Friday and Sunday. Remember that the UAE's three-day weekend starts at lunchtime on Friday, so the traffic will start to pick up around then.

There is ample parking all around Fujairah, as locals tend to get everywhere by car. You will not see many pedestrians in the city. In the UAE, each Emirate sets its own parking system. Fujairah does not have a standardised system of paid parking like you'll find in Dubai. Instead, free car parks are still plentiful. If you do find a paid parking spot, you should make sure you have cash or a credit card. In other parts of the UAE, you can pay for parking with a phone app, but that is not the case in Fujairah.

Traffic in the UAE generally moves quickly, and you'll often find yourself sharing the road with some very fancy cars. Keep a cool head at all times and follow traffic safety guidelines – even if your fellow drivers do not! Tailgating has long been regarded as a problem in the UAE, and the authorities regularly run programmes to clamp down on it. The government recommends leaving a distance of 3 seconds between your vehicle and the car in front.

The weather is generally good in Fujairah. In the rare event that you're caught in the rain, slow down. Local drivers often have little experience with wet conditions, and the roads can be more dangerous than usual. Sand storms are a more frequent hazard, particularly if you're driving far from the city. Pull over if poor visibility would make it dangerous to continue.

You will occasionally encounter camels, goats and other animals on country roads. Drive around them or wait for them to pass. Do not honk your horn at them – goats often react aggressively!