Camping is one of the best ways to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Whether you spend one night under the stars or a whole weekend outdoors, camping gives you an opportunity to step away from traffic, screens, deadlines, bills, and the routine of city life. Instead, you get fresh air, open spaces, beautiful scenery, and quality time with your family and friends.
For us, camping has always been more than simply sleeping in a tent. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature, slow down, have meaningful conversations, and create memories together.
Camping can also be good for our overall well-being. Spending time outdoors, being physically active, and temporarily disconnecting from everyday stress can all contribute to better mental and emotional health. You can read more in my related article:
16 Reasons Why Camping Is Good For Your Health
Saraya Island: A Development That Never Came to Be
Saraya Island, located in Ras Al Khaimah, was once planned as a major tourism and residential development featuring hotels, residences, and commercial and cultural facilities. However, the development did not proceed as originally envisioned.
Over time, the area became known among outdoor enthusiasts as a quieter coastal location for camping and exploring.
Today, Saraya Island appears on the Ras Al Khaimah tourism map in the Al Rams area.
When we visited, we entered the island through the bridge near Al Rams and drove toward the quieter areas where people were camping.
However, access conditions and camping rules can change, so don’t rely solely on my old experience. Current Ras Al Khaimah guidance recommends choosing areas where overnight camping is clearly permitted and avoiding restricted or prohibited zones.
Once you’re in the area, the coastal scenery is beautiful. You can enjoy the sea on one side, while the mainland and mountains provide a completely different view on the other.
There are also open spaces where families can spend time together and children can play.
Why Can Saraya Island Be Your Favorite Camping Spot?
1. A Peaceful Overnight Camping Experience
One of the things we loved about Saraya Island was the feeling of getting away from the busy city.
During our visits, we were able to stay overnight and enjoy a quiet evening outdoors.
However, I want to emphasize an important point for anyone planning to visit now: camping permissions are subject to local rules and can change depending on the location, season, events, and authorities.
Before setting up your tent, check the latest Ras Al Khaimah guidance and make sure you are in an area where overnight camping is allowed.
And please never make a fire directly on the sand or leave a fire unattended. Current Ras Al Khaimah camping guidance emphasizes responsible fire use, cleanliness, and safety.
2. Enjoy the Sound of the Ocean
One of the best things about camping near the coast is waking up to the sound of the waves.
During the day, the seaside environment can also be a beautiful place to relax, take photographs, and enjoy outdoor activities when conditions are safe.
For us, simply sitting near the water and listening to the waves was already enough to make the trip worthwhile.
3. Peaceful Surroundings
Once you find a suitable camping area, you can really appreciate the peaceful surroundings.
That said, weekends and public holidays can become much busier, with groups arriving in off-road vehicles and families enjoying the outdoors.
When choosing your camping spot, look around carefully before setting up. Keep a safe distance from vehicles, uneven ground, water, and areas that may become difficult to navigate after dark.
Current RAK camping guidance also recommends keeping adequate spacing between tents and vehicles and respecting other campers by keeping noise levels low.
4. A Real Outdoor Adventure
Camping isn’t always about comfort—and that’s part of the adventure!
Because Saraya Island is a relatively remote coastal area, we experienced a few challenges during our visits.
Some areas have vegetation and sandy or uneven terrain, so you shouldn’t assume that every surface is safe to drive across.
And believe me, we learned that lesson the hard way.
During one of our trips, both our sedan and SUV became stuck in the sand.
Fortunately, there were plenty of kind people nearby who were willing to help pull our vehicles out using their 4x4s and trucks.
We also had another adventure when one of our cars developed a battery problem and refused to start even after several attempts at jump-starting it.
Our insurance provider wouldn’t send roadside assistance into the off-road area, so we eventually ordered a replacement battery from a nearby shop. A mechanic delivered the battery and fixed the car for us.
Looking back, these weren’t exactly the moments we planned for—but they’re now some of the stories we remember most.
Camping isn’t always complete without an unexpected adventure!
Every challenge gives us an opportunity to learn.
5. Find a Good Place to Set Up Your Tent
A comfortable camping spot starts with choosing appropriate ground.
A relatively flat area without sharp rocks, unstable sand, or other hazards makes it easier to pitch your tent and sleep comfortably.
Before setting up, inspect the area carefully.
Don’t choose your spot simply because it looks beautiful in a photograph. Think about safety, access, water, wind, nearby vehicles, and how the area might change overnight.
6. Enjoy a More Secluded Camping Experience
Compared with some of the UAE’s busier recreational locations, Saraya Island can feel more remote.
Even when other campers are around, there may still be enough space to create a more private experience for your family or group.
Current tourism information describes Saraya Island and Al Rams as more natural, remote coastal areas, while also noting that access may be challenging and better suited to experienced off-road visitors.
That sense of seclusion is exactly what some campers are looking for.
7. Be Careful When Driving a Sedan
This is one part of my original experience that I would not recommend copying without checking current conditions first.
We managed to reach certain parts of the island using a sedan, but we also got stuck.
Today, current tourism guidance specifically notes that access to Saraya Island may require a 4×4 or guide, and that sandy and rutted tracks can be difficult to navigate.
So, if you’re planning to go:
Don’t assume that because we managed it in 2019, your sedan will be able to do the same today.
Check the route and current conditions first, and don’t attempt sections of soft sand simply to reach a particular camping spot.
Getting stuck is not worth the risk.
8. Enjoy the Wildlife Responsibly
One of the interesting things about visiting remote parts of the UAE is the opportunity to see animals in their natural or semi-natural surroundings.
During our visits, we saw camels, horses, goats, and sheep in the area.
At certain times of the morning, camels would be released from nearby shelters and walk around the area.
It was fascinating to see them up close.
However, always remember that animals are not attractions for us to control. Keep a safe distance, don’t chase or feed them unless their handlers explicitly allow it, and supervise children closely.
Admire wildlife without disturbing it.
9. Every Campsite Has Its Drawbacks
As beautiful as Saraya Island can be, no camping destination is perfect.
One of the biggest problems we noticed was litter.
Some visitors unfortunately left plastic, food containers, bottles, and other rubbish behind.
It is such a shame to see a beautiful natural place affected by careless behavior.
That’s why I strongly encourage everyone who visits:
Bring garbage bags and take everything with you when you leave.
If you see rubbish that you can safely collect, consider picking it up too.
A clean campsite is a gift to the next person who visits.
Here are some photos from our next visit:
A Few Important Tips Before You Go
Because this article is based on our older camping experiences, there are a few things I’d recommend checking before planning your trip today.
Check current camping permissions. Don’t assume an area is legal for overnight camping simply because people have camped there before. Current RAK guidance advises visitors to use areas where overnight camping is explicitly authorized and to avoid restricted zones.
Check the route and your vehicle. Saraya Island is more remote than many family-friendly camping locations, and current tourism guidance warns that the sandy and rutted tracks can be difficult.
Bring enough water, food, lighting, and basic first-aid supplies.
Keep children supervised, especially near vehicles, water, uneven ground, and cooking equipment.
Keep noise under control. Current RAK camping guidance emphasizes respecting other campers and keeping noise levels low.
Leave no trace. Take your rubbish with you and leave the area as clean as—or cleaner than—you found it.
Final Thoughts
Saraya Island became one of our memorable camping destinations because it gave us something we often missed while living in the city: space, quiet, nature, and adventure.
We enjoyed waking up near the sea, spending time with friends, exploring the surroundings, and dealing with the unexpected challenges that came along with the trip.
And yes, getting our cars stuck in the sand wasn’t exactly fun at the time!
But those experiences became part of the story.
That’s what I love about camping. It isn’t always perfect. Sometimes the weather changes. Sometimes the food doesn’t turn out right. Sometimes you get stuck in the sand or your car refuses to start.
But those unexpected moments often become the stories you laugh about years later.
“The journey, not the arrival, matters.”
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
— Psalm 23:2–3
Final Thoughts
In our busy lives, it’s easy to forget how healing it can feel to simply step away from the noise.
Camping reminds us to slow down, breathe deeply, enjoy the people around us, and appreciate the beauty of creation.
So pack your tent, prepare responsibly, respect the environment, and enjoy the adventure—but always check the latest local rules and conditions before you go.
And most importantly, leave nothing behind except your footprints and take nothing with you except memories.
Have you ever been camping at Saraya Island or somewhere else in Ras Al Khaimah? I’d love to hear about your experience!
Sources / Resources
- Visit Ras Al Khaimah – Camping Rules & Safety Guidelines — Current guidance on permitted areas, vehicle access, safety, noise, fires, and waste.
- Visit Ras Al Khaimah – 2026 Destination Map — Lists Saraya Island in the Al Rams area and provides the current destination map.
- Ras Al Khaimah Camping Guidelines — Previous official guidance covering camping areas, fire safety, cleanliness, noise, and vehicle safety.
Important: This article is based largely on our personal camping experiences and observations. Camping rules, access, road conditions, and restrictions in Ras Al Khaimah can change. Check the latest official guidance before visiting Saraya Island, and don’t assume that a location that was accessible or permitted in the past remains so today.
Becca’s First Overnight Camping at Expo Lake, Dubai, UAE
Overnight Camping at Suhaila Lake, Hatta, UAE
Originally Published: January 4, 2021
Updated: August 2026
I love the sound of the ocean when camping. It makes me relaxed.
Well I am here.I mean naska’s soul mate.😁😁😁😂😊