Adventure Seeker's Guide to Ras Al Khaimah: Mountains, Desert, and Sea

My love affair with Ras Al Khaimah began on the winding road up Jebel Jais, where each hairpin turn revealed increasingly dramatic views of craggy mountains stretching toward the horizon. At 1,934 meters above sea level, this is the UAE's highest peak, and the temperature drops noticeably as you ascend—a welcome relief from the coastal heat!

The mountain's crown jewel is undoubtedly the Jebel Jais Flight, the world's longest zipline where you'll soar falcon-like for nearly 3 kilometers at speeds up to 160 km/h. Having conquered it twice now, I can confirm the rush is worth every dirham of the 399 AED price tag. Book at least two weeks in advance during winter season—I've seen too many disappointed faces at the ticket counter when it's sold out.

For hikers, the newly developed Jebel Jais Via Ferrata combines climbing, hiking, and three shorter ziplines. The guided experience takes about four hours and offers a more intimate connection with the rugged landscape than the main zipline's quick thrill. I recommend wearing a lightweight moisture-wicking shirt that breathes well during the climb but protects from the strong mountain sun.

After moving to Brisbane, I found myself missing the stark beauty of deserts. RAK's amber sand dunes satisfied that craving perfectly. While day trips are popular, I highly recommend the overnight experience to truly appreciate the desert's magic.

We booked with RAK Desert Tours for a 24-hour adventure that included sandboarding, camel rides, and a night in a traditional camp. What sets them apart is their smaller group sizes and more authentic approach—no cheesy belly dancing shows or overcrowded camps. Instead, we enjoyed a peaceful sunset, a meal cooked over open flames, and stargazing unlike anything you'll see in light-polluted cities.

My daughter was mesmerized by the shifting colors of the dunes throughout the day—from golden yellow at midday to deep orange at sunset, and then an ethereal silver under the moonlight. For capturing these color transitions, I relied on my smartphone gimbal to create silky-smooth video pans across the dunes.

The desert gets surprisingly cold at night, even in winter. I was thankful for my packable down jacket which compressed tiny in my daypack but provided essential warmth around the campfire.

RAK's 64 kilometers of coastline offers a refreshing contrast to the mountains and desert. After dusty adventures inland, we spent two days exploring the emirate's maritime offerings. The beaches here are less developed and more natural than Dubai's manicured shores—exactly what we prefer.

Al Marjan Island, a man-made archipelago extending into the gulf, hosts several resorts but still maintains plenty of public beach access. For water sports enthusiasts, Sailing Club RAK near the Al Hamra area offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing lessons at reasonable prices. The calm morning waters are perfect for beginners, while afternoon winds attract more experienced windsurfers.

My personal highlight was a half-day snorkeling trip to the coral gardens near Ras Ghanada. The visibility isn't Mediterranean-clear, but we spotted parrotfish, lionfish, and even a small reef shark. For this excursion, I was grateful for my full-face snorkel mask which eliminated the usual snorkel discomfort and allowed me to breathe normally while watching marine life.

For beach days, I recommend bringing your own sand-free beach mat. The local sand is fine and tends to get everywhere, but this clever mat lets sand fall through without coming back up—a game-changer for comfort and keeping your gear clean.

Between adrenaline rushes, RAK offers meaningful cultural experiences that provide context to this historically rich region. The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, housed in a 19th-century fort, showcases archaeological findings dating back 7,000 years. My background in career counseling has taught me that understanding a place's history enriches any travel experience—this museum accomplishes that in just an hour's visit.

For an authentic taste of local life, skip the resort restaurants and head to the Old Town area near the museum. Al Fanar serves traditional Emirati cuisine including machboos (spiced rice with meat) and luqaimat (sweet dumplings) in a setting decorated with historical artifacts. The staff happily explained unfamiliar dishes and even invited us to try their grandmother's special date syrup.

One unexpected highlight was visiting a pearl farm on Al Rams beach, where we learned about the UAE's pearl diving heritage that predates the oil boom. The tour includes a demonstration of traditional diving techniques and pearl evaluation. I purchased a modest pearl pendant as a meaningful souvenir that connects to the region's pre-oil economy.

To stay comfortable while exploring in the winter sun, I never leave my hotel without my cooling neck gaiter which can be worn multiple ways and keeps heat stroke at bay during midday explorations.

Unlike Dubai's overwhelming options, RAK offers a more manageable selection of places to stay. We split our week between two locations: three nights at the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort for coastal activities, and three nights at the Mountain Lodge near Jebel Jais for highland adventures.

For families or groups wanting more space and independence, I recommend the portable espresso maker to enjoy quality coffee on your balcony while planning the day's activities—hotel coffee in RAK can be disappointing and expensive.

Renting a car is essential for exploring RAK properly. Public transportation is limited, and while taxis are available, they quickly become costly for day trips. The roads are excellent and well-marked in English. I used the offline navigation app which proved invaluable in remote mountain and desert areas where cell service disappears.

One planning tip from my career counselor mindset: create a flexible itinerary that alternates active days with relaxation days. We scheduled desert camping between our mountain and water sport days, which gave our muscles recovery time while still experiencing something new each day. This balanced approach kept everyone in our group energized throughout the trip rather than exhausted halfway through.