Outdoors · Ras Al Khaimah · United Arab Emirates
8 best outdoor things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: wilhelmtittes, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline and Jais Sledder. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 17–22 hours across 6 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 17–22 hours
- Areas
- Jebel Jais, Al Marjan Island and Ras Al Khaimah City
Outdoors in Ras Al Khaimah
Nature · Jebel Jais
1.Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park
Drive up in the late afternoon for sunset over the ridges, and bring a jacket from November to March.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Free
Experience · Jebel Jais
2.Jais Flight zipline
Book an early slot: winds can delay or cancel later sessions, and the morning light over the mountains is clearer.
- Time needed
- 2 hours including briefing
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Experience · Jebel Jais
3.Jais Sledder
Combine it with the Viewing Deck Park and lunch on the mountain to make a full day of Jebel Jais.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Beach · Al Marjan Island
4.Al Marjan Island beaches
Buy a resort day pass on a weekday for the quietest beach and pool access.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
Waterfront · Ras Al Khaimah City
5.Al Qawasim Corniche
Come at sunset and pick up karak chai from a nearby cafeteria.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Kids
Nature · Khatt
6.Khatt Hot Springs
Visit on a cool winter morning; check whether the public pools have separate times for men and women.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Hajar Mountains
7.Wadi Shawka
Hike between November and March, start early and carry plenty of water; there is little shade.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Free
Nature · Al Wadi Desert
8.Desert experiences at Al Wadi
Book a late-afternoon outing to see the dunes turn red at sunset.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
- Photo spot
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Jais | Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight zipline and Jais Sledder | Half a day + 2 hours including briefing + 1 hour |
| Al Marjan Island | Al Marjan Island beaches | Half a day |
| Ras Al Khaimah City | Al Qawasim Corniche | 1 hour |
| Khatt | Khatt Hot Springs | 1–2 hours |
| Hajar Mountains | Wadi Shawka | Half a day |
| Al Wadi Desert | Desert experiences at Al Wadi | 3–4 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 3 free, 1 low cost, 2 mid-priced, 2 expensive. Book ahead for Jais Flight zipline, Jais Sledder and Desert experiences at Al Wadi. The longest visit is Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Jais Flight zipline: Book online in advance; there are minimum age, height and weight requirements.
- Jais Sledder: Slots can sell out at weekends; book ahead and check age and height rules.
- Desert experiences at Al Wadi: Desert activities are run by tour operators and the desert resort; book in advance.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Jebel Jais): Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Jebel Jais): Jais Flight zipline → Jais Sledder, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Al Marjan Island and Ras Al Khaimah City): Al Marjan Island beaches → Al Qawasim Corniche, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Khatt): Khatt Hot Springs, at least 1 hour.
- Half-day 5 (Hajar Mountains): Wadi Shawka, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Al Wadi Desert): Desert experiences at Al Wadi, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- January: highs of 24°C (75°F), about 2 rainy days, busy crowds. Warm, sunny days and cool evenings; cold on Jebel Jais, where temperatures can approach freezing at night.
- February: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 2 rainy days, busy crowds. Ideal for hiking, desert outings and the mountain attractions; the sea is cool but swimmable.
- December: highs of 26°C (79°F), about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds. Pleasantly warm and the busiest month, with festive breaks and New Year's Eve fireworks.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Al Marjan Island — Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts
- Mina Al Arab — Lagoons, mangroves and low-rise resorts between the city and Al Hamra
- Ras Al Khaimah City — The creek, the corniche and everyday Emirati life in Al Nakheel and the old town
- Al Wadi Desert — Red dunes and a desert resort south of the city
- Jebel Jais — Mountain-top cabins and camps at the UAE's highest point
More of Ras Al Khaimah
All things to do in Ras Al Khaimah · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Ras Al Khaimah?
Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park. The road up the UAE's highest mountain climbs about 30 km of switchbacks through the bare limestone of the Hajar range, with viewpoints and picnic spots along the way.
+Which of these are free in Ras Al Khaimah?
Jebel Jais and the Viewing Deck Park, Al Qawasim Corniche and Wadi Shawka.