Khor Fakkan is a town located along the Gulf of Oman on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The town, the second largest on the east coast after Fujairah, is set on the picturesque bay of Khor Fakkan, which means “Creek of Two Jaws”. Khor Fakkan belongs to the emirate of Sharjah but is geographically surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah. It is a natural deep water port that is now a major container terminal.
Khor Fakkan has a long history of human settlement. Around 1500, Duarte Barbosa described it as a village “around which are gardens and farms in plenty”. In 1580 the Venetian jeweler Gasparo Balbi noted “Chorf” in a list of places on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, which is considered by historians to indicate Khor Fakkan. The Portuguese built a fort at Khor Fakkan that was a ruin by 1666. The log book of the Dutch vessel the Meerkat mentions this fort and another one, describing “Gorfacan” as a place on a small bay, with about 200 small houses built from date branches, near the beach. It refers to a triangular Portuguese fortress on the northern side, in ruins, and a fortress on a hill on the southern side, also in ruins, without garrison or artillery. As well as date palms, the Meerkat‘s log also mentions fig trees, melons, watermelons and myrrh. It notes several wells with “good and fresh water” used for irrigation.
Khor Fakkan lies on the east coast of the UAE, between the Arabian Sea and the Shumayliyah Mountains, rising to 1,023 metres (3,356 ft) at Jebel al Hilqah. The bay of Khor Fakkan is north-east facing and is protected from prevailing winds by a jetty serving terminal for container ships. Cruis ships on the route between Europe and the Emirates are visiting the port regularly. Tourism, despite the total ban on sale and consumption of alcohol by the emirate of Sharjah, is well developed thanks to white sand beaches and coral reefs that attract many divers. Khor Fakkan Beach lies to the north of the centre of the town.
Khor Fakkan has one 4 star holiday beach resort, the Oceanic Hotel. The fish, fruit and vegetable souq is located at the southern end of the corniche and near the main highway. Al Wurrayah Falls is reachable by four-wheel-drive around 4.5 km north of the Oceanic Hotel. One site of interest is the Rifaisa Dam, in the mountains of Khor Fakkan. This is believed to have been built over a village, and when the water is very still, the tops of the old houses are still visible. The town is served by Khor Fakkan Hospital.
