Traveling should never end

It took a few seconds peering through the murky water to see the small, shelled body of a turtle. I missed the first one detected by my friends, but managed to see this calm reptile as he ate an early dinner. It was fascinating to watch this turtle and the local fish and plant life through my new goggles.

We were exploring Sandy Beach, a jewel located along a stretch of well paved road on the north eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates. Despite being underdeveloped, there are still plenty of activities to dabble in. We noticed a dive boat exploring a small island off the coast, kayakers touring around ‘Snoopy Island,’ sunbathers, and a boat pulling a giant inner tube. I can only imagine the chaos on a summer weekend.

It took us about an hour and a half to drive up from the city of Fujairah. Before leaving, we packed up fresh dates, dried apricots and nuts as picnic snacks, and snorkeling gear. Being late afternoon and the tail of the weekend, the beach was blessedly quiet. Covering ourselves in sunscreen to protect our pale skin from the strong desert sun rays, we headed into the Omani waters. When it is busier, it would be wise to keep an eye out for motor boats while swimming.

Swimming into the protected area, we came upon a school of silver fish, the sun glinting off their scales like diamonds. My knowledge lacking, I simply enjoyed the thrill of spotting myriad aquatic life. Absorbed in looking down, I almost swam into a couple other snorkelers. Remember that there are others just as absorbed around you, and pay attention to what is happening above water as well as below!

Arriving back onshore, we laid our towels down and began drying out. A quick nap overtook me, allowing grains of sand to sneak into my hair and cake onto my skin. I observed more beach activity upon waking, with people exercising and laying out under the waning sunlight. After one last dip into the water, we packed up and started back. Take the time for a roadside fruit-stand stop to pick up mangosteen, sweet melon, bananas or any fruit that catches your eye. Alternatively, instead of heading back, spend the night in one of the four hotels and go out the next day scuba diving, kayaking, logging more beach and snorkel time or visit nearby shops. However you enjoy Sandy Beach, it is well worth a visit.