Sira Khorfakkan (Shark Island): Boat Prices, Marine Life & History
A shared boat from Khorfakkan Beach reaches Sira Khorfakkan in about 10 minutes for roughly AED 25 per adult. That price belongs to weekends, when boats fill up with groups. On a quiet weekday the usual option is a private boat at AED 150 to 250, which only makes sense if you split it.
Most visitors and boat operators call it Shark Island. It sits behind the Khorfakkan port, has no cafes or shops, and is one of the easiest places on the east coast to snorkel. It is also a protected archaeological reserve with ruins on its western slope.
Sira Khorfakkan facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Just off Khorfakkan Beach on Sharjah’s east coast, behind the port at the southern end of the beach |
| Also called | Shark Island |
| Terrain | Small rocky island with gabbro heights up to 8.7 m |
| Access | Boat from the Khorfakkan Beach corniche, about 10 minutes |
| Shared boat fare | AED 20 to 35 per person, usually AED 25 |
| Private boat | AED 150 to 250 for the whole boat |
| ID needed | Emirates ID or passport |
| Activities | Snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking |
| Facilities | None: no cafes, restrooms or shops |
| Status | Archaeological reserve, approved March 2023 |
Boat prices & fares
Shared seats cost AED 20 to 35 per person and private boats AED 150 to 250 per trip, depending on the day and the size of your group.
| Option | Cost | Works best when |
|---|---|---|
| Shared boat seat | AED 20 to 35 per person (AED 25 is typical) | You visit on a weekend, when boats run often and fill quickly |
| Private boat | AED 150 to 250 for the whole boat | You travel on a weekday or in a group of five or more |
| Dive centre trip | Priced by package | You want guides and rental gear, or you are bringing children |
Fares are negotiated at the beach, not posted. A private boat is priced per trip, so a group of five paying AED 150 to 250 pays AED 30 to 50 each, close to or only slightly above a shared seat.
Weekdays have fewer boats, which is why private hire is common then. A solo traveller on a weekday pays the most per head of any combination, so a weekend visit is the cheaper way to go alone.
How to reach the island
- Drive to the public Khorfakkan Beach corniche. Khorfakkan is about 90 minutes from Dubai by car.
- Choose a boat from the operators along the beach. A shared ride needs no advance booking.
- Carry your Emirates ID or passport. Operators ask for ID before departure.
- Agree the fare, whether it covers the return, and the pickup time before you leave the sand.
- Cross to the island, a ride of about 10 minutes.
The diving centres on the beach also run boat trips, with guides and rental equipment included in the package.
Snorkelling, diving & kayaking
The water around Sira Khorfakkan suits four activities:
- Snorkelling: sea anemones and turtles are close to the surface.
- Scuba diving: divers come for the rock formations and the moray eels, rays and Arabian angelfish living among them.
- Swimming: the island’s clear water makes it a straightforward swim stop from the boat.
- Kayaking: a kayak lets you watch schools of fish from above the surface.
Fins, masks and snorkels can be rented from the diving centres on Khorfakkan Beach, along with full dive equipment. Families with children get the most out of a trip run by one of these centres, since the guides know the island.
Marine life around the island
Two groups of animals live around the rocks:
- Reef and rock dwellers: sea anemones, moray eels, Arabian angelfish, damselfish, Sergeant Majors and batfish.
- Larger swimmers: turtles, rays, barracuda, mackerel and blacktip reef sharks, which are seen on the eastern side of the island.
Ruins & archaeology
Sira Khorfakkan is an archaeological reserve, approved in March 2023 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.
The Sharjah Archaeology Authority divides the main settlement into two phases, the 13th to 16th century AD and the 18th to 19th century AD. Both sat on the western side of the island, facing Khorfakkan. Surveys identified:
- residential buildings and agricultural terraces
- cemeteries
- an observation area at the top of the island
- pottery fragments along the coast, including pieces imported from southern China
- celadon and porcelain finds
- the base of a stone basin repaired with a piece of copper
The island overlooks the entrance to Khorfakkan from the east and served as a watch point over ship traffic in the Sea of Oman. Khorfakkan’s other lookout sites, the Khorfakkan Fort, the Portuguese Fort and the Al Rabi and Al Adwani towers, sit on the Islamic World Heritage List.
The rock itself is older than any settlement. Geological studies place the island’s ophiolite formations in the upper Cretaceous, formed when the continental crust came under intense pressure.
Rules, safety & facilities
- No facilities: there are no cafes, restrooms or shops, so bring drinking water, food and sun protection, and carry your rubbish back to the boat.
- Sharp ground: the rocks and coral are rough, so wear water shoes or reef booties.
- Leave finds in place: pottery fragments and ruins are part of a protected reserve and stay where they lie.
- Return plan: boats come back on the schedule you agree with the captain, so set the pickup time before landing.
Best time to visit
Weekends have the most boats and the lowest fares per person. Weekdays are quieter but usually need a private boat.
Boats run from morning to early evening, so plan to be back on the beach before dusk. October to April brings cooler air and sea temperatures than the summer months.
Pairing the island with Khorfakkan stops
Half a day covers the island and leaves time for the rest of Khorfakkan. The Khorfakkan Amphitheater has a free waterfall, and Shees Village has the 1.8 km Wadi Shees trail with free entry and parking.
FAQ
Is Sira Khorfakkan the same as Shark Island?
Yes. Sira Khorfakkan is the island’s official name, and Shark Island is the name visitors and boat operators use.
How long is the boat ride to Sira Khorfakkan?
The crossing from the Khorfakkan Beach corniche takes about 10 minutes.
Do you need ID to visit Sira Khorfakkan?
Yes. Carry your Emirates ID or passport, because boat operators ask for ID before departure.
Are there sharks at Shark Island?
Blacktip reef sharks are seen on the eastern side of the island, alongside barracuda and mackerel.
Is there food or a toilet on the island?
No. The island has no cafes, restrooms or shops, so bring food, water and sun protection with you.
Can children visit Sira Khorfakkan?
Yes. Families with children get the most from a trip organised by a diving centre on Khorfakkan Beach, which supplies guides and rental gear.
Before you go
- Go on a weekend for AED 25 shared seats, or gather five or more people for a private boat.
- Pack your Emirates ID or passport, water shoes, drinking water, food and sun protection.
- Rent masks and fins from a beach dive centre before boarding.
- Settle the fare, the return and the pickup time with the captain on the sand.
