It is no secret that my idea of roughing it is to stay in the Holiday Inn rather than the Four Seasons. So the idea of camping is not something that always fills me with glee.
I always find the thought of camping under the stars, while a romantic idea, the reality is one of an uncomfortable nights sleep followed by an even more difficult morning after, with a distinct lack of ablutions or creature comforts.
However time with my friends, way out of the city on a beautiful beach makes up for it. That goes without saying. In an effort to make life a little easier here are my tips to have a more enjoyable experience:
1. Get one of your friends to drive.
After all the effort of loading up the car the last thing you need is to drive the for two hours through the desert and mountains. On the drive this time we go an extra bonus as we got caught up in the middle of the Arab Run – kind of like a middle eastern version of the Gumball Rally. The car exotica was outstanding with pimped out Escalades and Hummers with a good assortment of Jags, Ferraris, Porsches and Lambos. Here are a couple of snaps I got:
This chap in the Porsche GT simply gave us a raise of the eyebrows as we took the photo – very smooth:
2. Get a tent that pops up.
OK, so it will not withstand camping in high winds or rain, but the pop up tents you can get from the supermarket for only $25 are assembled in seconds and keep the Sun off and insects out at night. I can only laugh at my mates who argue with their girlfriends in a desperate struggle to erect their poles.
3. Get an inflatable mattress with a compressor that with a 12V adapter.
Again in 30 seconds a comfortable night is ensured. Again, I can only laugh as others struggle with hand pumps or expel all their puff in manual blow up efforts
4. Get the most comfortable camping seat possible
No point in having to struggle to relax whilst enjoying the company and some beverages
5. Bring oversized beers
Why have to get up every 20 minutes to fetch a new beer? – when a big 750ml one will last you an hour. Below Tim demonstrates the joys of a comfy chair and a frosty, giant sized fosters
6. Make sure you are untalented and do not have to provide entertainment
Duncan regularly plays his guitar while we sing- a-long, this time however as a special bonus as Renata and Ursula put on a dazzling display of what I can only describe as “fire twirling” although its proper name is Fire Poi. It was an amazing spectacle and one I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing.
Dibba beach offers one of the best camping spots you could wish for. A wide, fairly clean beach, with warm refreshing waters set on a backdrop of rugged mountains. Tim commented “That was an amazing camping experience” and was glad he made the effort despite having to leave at 7am to ensure making his flight back to the UK. Every time we go we wonder why we don’t go more. I think we will try and make another visit before the summer sets in.
Aaron,
Do you have the the directions to Dibba site?
Your blog is always great to read.
Keep it up.
Maybe you can help me on my blog which I cannot access to update as it was a blogspot address.
Thanks.
John
By: Jon on April 10, 2008
at 5:09 pm
Hi Jon,
I have to admit to not knowing the way to well. Basically the beach we camp at is just next to the
http://www.goldentulipdibba.com/
As always the UAE off road explorer knows.
Cheers
Aaron
By: Aaron on April 12, 2008
at 9:20 am
[...] On a recent trip to Dibba I mentioned that my friend’s mesmerized the campers with an evocative display of fire poi. I [...]
By: Danger Illustrated « An Englishman in Dubai on May 6, 2008
at 12:04 am
hi
very interesting blog , we are planing to go camping soon , and i was wondering if this place get too busy on holidays ? do you know if setting fire and BBQ is allowed ? what about drinking there ?
cheers
By: pouria on November 14, 2010
at 12:25 am
It does get busy on holidays. But no problems with anything else you mention.
By: Aaron on November 14, 2010
at 12:30 am
I definitely advise not camping here over EID or any other national holidays. This is a fantastic spot that was somewhat of a secret until a few years ago and now not only has the golden tulip on the beach but is over crowded on UAE holidays. We had an awful experience there over EID about 3 years ago and haven’t been back since. Generators, single toilet blocks that were removed frequently to empty them, dune buggies and large tents sleeping about 20 noisy people… need I say more. We now stick to the desert where we can dune bash and been in total isolation. Such a shame as this is a fab spot, we regularly swam with reef sharks and turtles in the morning and were the only people on the beach.
By: krissy jojnes on January 27, 2011
at 11:55 am
Hi Krissy,
Thanks for stopping by and yes I would agree. For UAE national vacation days the place is now over run,
By: Aaron on January 27, 2011
at 12:02 pm
One of the best way to buy camping equipments and hunting products is through http://www.gulfcamping.com. they have a wide range of camping and hunting items include chairs knives tents lights and other items. The do delivery to all locations in uae and kuwait, bahrain, saudi arabia, oman, Their prices are much cheaper than Ace and very good quality.
By: Hess on August 27, 2011
at 12:27 am
I went to the golden tulip last new year, the hotel was good but i thaught people camping just next to the hotel had a great time with BBQ and all. Since it was new year it was fairly crowded, on normal weekends that place is much more relaxing with few people. Are there any more beach camping sites near dubai as i know of only 1, would like to join a group of people who go for regular camping.
By: joy on November 17, 2011
at 5:52 pm