Snorkelling

Snorkelling at Snoopy Island is an unexpected delight.  I had heard that it was worthwhile but was surprised at the ease of the short swim from the beach and the relative safety of the experience. 

Snoopy Island is located in the UAE off the coast of Fujariah, one of the Emirates. The coastline sits against the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar mountain range. We are here for a long weekend city escape. Although it is October, the peak of the summer is still easing in the UAE and the weather is still hot and humid but not so hot and humid as it was. Perfect for a beach getaway weekend.

So we have landed at Snoopy Island, parked ourselves on the beach, and here we are with our snorkels on, swimming gear out and off we go.

It is easily accessible from the beach, so much so that our 4 and 7 year old children swam over with us. There are generally no large waves or currents in and around the Gulf so it is relatively safe in this respect although we were careful to stay close to them.

We see fish, fish and more fish. There is coral and although the coral itself is not particularly impressive on the beach side of the island, I understand that it gets better as you swim to the open water side where the dive groups venture (we didn’t brave it with the kids in tow). Although we, thankfully, don’t spot the black tipped reef shark we also, disappointingly, do not spot any turtles.

Nevertheless we spend over an hour swimming around. Nearer to the island it is possible to stand in the shallows and take a short break but all in all the swimming feels more like controlled floating and is not particularly over exerting.

A paddle board is employed later in the afternoon for rides when the thrill of and energy for swimming has run out. The boys play in the sand, build castles and paddle in the shallows. They find little crabs and shells and try to catch fish.

Of the remainder of the snorkelling, I will let the I pictures speak for themselves where I struggle to find the words to fully describe the aqua flight. A weightless and almost silent world, with only the clicking of the fish eating off the rocks and the occasional splash and bubbles of a fellow snorkeller to disturb the peace in this water world of its own.

Would I Return?

Yes. I would still like to see the turtles.