Let’s be honest, living in Dubai means we’re spoiled for choice. We’ve got the world’s best restaurants, the biggest malls, and weekends that can feel like a perpetual holiday. But sometimes, you need to hit reset. You need that proper, scenic road trip out of the city, that fresh air that smells like the sea, and something genuinely unique to do.
If that sounds like your kind of vibe, then block out January 10th and 11th, 2026, right now. The buzz is officially back.
Dibba Bay, the homegrown brand that put the UAE on the global oyster map, is bringing back its wildly popular Dibba Bay Open Farm Weekend in Fujairah. The last edition? It sold out faster than a rare sneaker drop in Dubai Mall. So, consider this your heads-up: this is the real deal, blending a perfect winter escape with some of the freshest, most delicious seafood you’ll ever taste.
Why Fujairah is the Secret Ingredient
When we talk about ‘local produce’ in the UAE, our minds usually go to things grown on the land. Dibba Bay flipped the script, proving that the Arabian Sea, specifically the pristine waters off the Fujairah coast, is a goldmine.
The drive itself to Dibba, skirting those dramatic Hajar Mountains, instantly feels like a proper getaway. But the environment here isn’t just beautiful—it’s scientifically perfect for their oysters.
The warm, clean, nutrient-rich currents of the Gulf of Oman, sitting right next to the deep-water continental shelf, provide an ideal ecosystem. Dibba Bay’s process is pure and simple: they place baby oysters (spat) into hanging lanterns, and the oysters do the rest. They filter the seawater, feeding only on the natural plankton. No feed, no chemicals. It’s one of the cleanest, most sustainable food sources in the world, earning it the respected Friend of the Sea certification.
This Open Farm Weekend is your chance to step away from the concrete jungle of Sheikh Zayed Road and see this successful Emirati venture up close.
The Hands-On Tour: From Shore to Shuck
The Dibba Bay Open Farm Weekend isn’t some stiff, boring lecture. It’s a genuine experience designed for food lovers and curious minds. The whole tour takes about 90 minutes, and every minute is worth the drive.
1. The Onshore Facility Deep Dive
You start on land, getting a transparent look into the ‘operating theatre’ of oyster farming. This is where the magic of quality control happens. You’ll see the oysters being sorted, cleaned, and placed into special depuration tanks—basically, an ‘oyster spa’—to ensure they are perfectly clean and ready for consumption.
If you’ve ever bought a box of Dibba Bay’s finest to shuck at home or ordered them at a restaurant in DIFC, this is where you’ll understand why they are consistently excellent. You get to see the meticulous process that backs up the premium quality.
2. The Boat Ride to the Source
Then comes the real fun: jumping onto the boat and heading offshore. You move out into the unbelievably clear Fujairah waters, surrounded by the mountains. It feels peaceful, a total contrast to the usual Dubai weekend rush.
The boat takes you directly to the offshore farm. You’ll see the oyster lanterns suspended in the water, providing a habitat for local marine life—they call them ‘ecosystem engineers’ for a reason. Not only do they taste good, but the oysters are also actively filtering the ocean, proving that food production can actually be positive for the environment. It’s a powerful lesson in marine sustainability, making you feel good about what you’re eating.
The Taste of True Freshness
Of course, the whole point is the payoff: the tasting.
There is a noticeable difference when you eat an oyster that was literally pulled from the water minutes ago. Freshly shucked on the boat, with the sea breeze and mountain view as your backdrop, the Dibba Bay oysters taste clean, sweet, and intensely briny. It’s a next-level flavour experience that no indoor restaurant, no matter how chic, can replicate.
Your DHS. 350.00 ticket covers this incredible guided experience, the tasting, and a sweet goodie bag to take home. It’s a small price to pay for a memory and a taste that lasts far longer than any brunch buffet.
The Crucial Bit: Tickets are Flying
We’re not exaggerating when we say tickets go fast. The Dibba Bay Open Farm Weekend is a celebration of what the UAE can achieve in local, sustainable luxury food. It resonates with everyone: the conscious consumer, the curious food blogger, and the family looking for a genuinely different winter outing.
The experience is a huge nod to the UAE’s focus on food security and sustainable economic growth. When you pick up a local Dibba Bay oyster, you’re not just getting a fresh meal; you’re supporting a regional pioneer reducing carbon emissions compared to importing seafood. It’s local, it’s fresh, and it’s world-class.
If you want to secure your spot for January 10th or 11th, 2026, don’t wait for your friends to decide. Jump online, book your ticket, and secure your place on the boat. Get ready to swap the skyline for the sea, and a standard weekend for a true taste of the Emirates.
Read More: Dubai Ranks Second Worldwide for Winter Tourism
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