Ask around the northern emirates where to buy proper fish and Fujairah comes up quickly. The city sits on the Gulf of Oman side of the country, and the fish market in Al ’Uwaid is where a good share of that east coast catch ends up on ice, ready to be weighed, cleaned and carried home.
Google shows the market at 4.2 out of 5 from 4,378 reviews. For a working market where nobody is trying to impress you with decor, that is a strong score. Shoppers keep mentioning the same few things: fresh fish, fair prices, sellers who answer questions, and room to bargain.
This guide covers what a first-time visitor really needs. You will find the address, the timings, what is on the stalls, how to check a fish before you pay, how much haggling is polite, and what else is worth doing on the same trip.
Fujairah Fish Market at a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Fujairah Fish Market |
| Google rating | 4.2 out of 5 from 4,378 Google reviews |
| Address | 49F3+CQW, Al ’Uwaid, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates |
| Listed as | Vegetable wholesale market on Google, with fish, meat, fruit, spices and dry goods on site |
| Opening pattern | Two sessions every day, with a long afternoon break |
| Payment | Cash is the safe choice; some stalls may take cards |
| Best for | Fresh seafood, weekly family shopping, bargain hunters, curious visitors |
Where the Fujairah Fish Market is and how to reach it
The market is in Al ’Uwaid, Fujairah. Its Google plus code is 49F3+CQW, which you can paste straight into Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions. Local guides place it near the Fujairah Corniche and Al Jaber Tower, on the Al Gurfah Road side of town, so you are never far from the sea when you arrive.
Wikipedia lists the Fish and Vegetable Market among the main markets in Fujairah city, together with the Central Market and the Fabric Souk. That gives you an easy way to turn one trip into a proper market morning.
Coming from Dubai or Sharjah, plan on roughly an hour and a half to two hours on the road, depending on traffic and your route. Leave early. That is the whole point of the trip, because the first hours of the day are when the stalls are fullest. Local guides describe parking as easy, though weekends are busier.
One thing worth knowing: Google files the place under vegetable wholesale market. Fish is the star, but the same site also sells fruit, vegetables, meat, spices and dry goods, which is why so many families treat it as their main shopping stop.
Fujairah Fish Market opening hours
The timings below come from the Google listing. The market runs in two sessions a day, with a gap in the afternoon when stalls pack up and restock.
| Day | Morning session | Evening session |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am to 11:00 am | 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Monday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am to 12:30 pm | 4:28 pm to 10:00 pm |
Two points to remember. Friday morning closes earlier than the rest of the week, at 11 am. And other travel sites quote slightly different timings, while hours often shift during Ramadan and public holidays. No public phone number is listed for the market, so check the Google Maps page the day before if you are driving a long way.
What shoppers say about the Fujairah Fish Market
The headline number is 4.2 from 4,378 reviews, and you can read them yourself on the Google reviews page. Go through the feedback and a pattern shows up. People single out kingfish, hamour, sea bream and shrimp as the fish they return for. They describe clean stalls, staff who take time to explain what is what, and prices that feel fair, with some sellers open to a discount. One regular says it is where they do their weekly seafood shopping, which is probably the best endorsement a fish market can get.
Another shopper points out something first-timers miss. The market is not only about fish. They list vegetables, fruit, meat, spices and dry goods, and even ready-made clothes, which makes it a one-stop run for the weekly shop.
What you will find on the stalls
The catch changes every day, so treat this list as a guide and not a promise. Ask the seller what came in this morning. A local fish broker quoted in the UAE press described fish landing straight from the sea, some of it still alive, which explains why serious home cooks make the drive.
| Seafood | What to look for | Good in the kitchen |
| Hamour (grouper) | Firm white flesh, sold whole or as steaks | Grilled, fried, or in fish curry and machboos |
| Kingfish | Thick steaks with clean, pinkish flesh | Pan fried or grilled with lemon and spice |
| Sea bream | Smaller whole fish with shiny skin | Baked whole or grilled over charcoal |
| Sheri and safi | Local reef fish that Emirati cooks like | Frying, steaming, served with rice |
| Shrimp and prawns | Firm bodies and very little smell | Rice dishes, garlic butter, the grill |
| Squid and cuttlefish | Glossy, clean bodies | Stews and quick stir fries |
| Crab | Heavy for its size | Curries and simple boiling |
How to check a fish before you pay
You do not need to be an expert. Six quick checks will protect you from most bad buys.
| Check | Good sign | Walk away if |
| Eyes | Clear and slightly bulging | Cloudy or sunken |
| Gills | Bright red or pink | Brown, grey or slimy |
| Flesh | Springs back when pressed gently | A dent stays behind |
| Smell | Clean, like the sea | Sour or sharp like ammonia |
| Skin | Shiny with tight scales | Dull with loose scales |
| Ice | Fish rests on plenty of fresh ice | Warm, wet counter with no ice |
Use your eyes first and your nose second. Sellers will not mind you pressing a fish gently. They would rather you buy what you like than regret it later.
Prices and how to bargain
Fish here is sold by weight and there is no printed rate card. The price moves with the species, the size, the weather out at sea and the time of day. A rough-weather day means fewer boats and higher prices. A big landing means sellers are keen to clear stock.
If you want a yardstick for Dubai rates, the price tables in this Al Karama Fish Market guide on Arab Market Trends are a useful comparison point. Here is how to get the best deal in Fujairah:
- Ask at three stalls before you buy anything. Prices for the same fish can differ along a single row.
- Buy more than one kilo. Sellers are more flexible on larger quantities.
- Choose whole fish and have it cleaned. It usually works out better value than pre-cut steaks.
- Be friendly. A greeting and a question about the fish gets a warmer reply than opening with “last price”.
- Shop toward the end of a session for softer prices, knowing the choice will be smaller.
- Carry small notes. Cash keeps things quick.
On cleaning, one local guide reports counters charging around AED 1 to 1.5 per kilo. Fees can change, so ask before the knife comes out.
The best time to visit Fujairah Fish Market
| Time | What it feels like | Good for |
| Opening of the morning session, from 7:30 am | Fullest stalls, widest choice, restaurant buyers around | Serious shoppers and rarer fish |
| Late morning | Calmer, with more time to chat to sellers | Families and first-timers |
| Just before the 12:30 pm close | Sellers tidy up and some drop prices | Bargain hunters with a flexible menu |
| Evening, from about 4:30 pm | Lively crowd and fresh stock for dinner | Dinner plans and atmosphere |
In summer, heat is the real enemy. Bring an insulated bag with ice packs, get the fish chilled quickly and go straight home. Fish that sits in a hot car loses its edge fast, however fresh it was at the stall.
A simple plan for your first visit Fujairah Fish Market
- Arrive in the morning session and walk the whole row before buying.
- Pick two or three stalls that look busy and clean.
- Check the fish using the six-point list above.
- Ask the price per kilo, then politely negotiate.
- Have the fish scaled, gutted or cut at the cleaning counter.
- Pack it with ice in your cool bag.
- Buy vegetables, lemons and spices from the neighbouring stalls.
- Head home and cook or freeze the fish the same day.
More than a fish stop
Because the compound also sells vegetables, fruit, meat, spices and dry goods, you can plan a whole meal in one trip. Fish, lemons, garlic, chilli, rice and a bag of onions can all come from the same morning. If you would rather eat than cook, small restaurants and grill stalls around the market are reported to cook what you buy for a fee, usually grilled, fried or baked. Ask about the charge first.
What to do nearby
Once the shopping is done, local guides point to a few places within about ten minutes by car: the Fujairah Corniche for a sea walk, Fujairah Fort for old stone and good photos, Fujairah Heritage Village for a look at traditional life, and the Fujairah Museum. On the way home, this list of the best shawarma places in the UAE is handy for a quick bite.
How it compares with other UAE fish markets
| Market | Emirate | Style | Choose it when |
| Fujairah Fish Market | Fujairah | Working local market with fish, produce and meat | You want east coast catch and a lived-in feel |
| Waterfront Market | Dubai, Deira | Large modern complex that replaced the old Deira Fish Market | You want scale and many vendors |
| Souq Al Jubail | Sharjah | Covered, air-conditioned market on the Corniche | You want comfort in summer |
| Al Karama Fish Market | Dubai | Neighbourhood market near Lulu | You live in Dubai and want a quick run |
One more practical point. Fujairah Municipality has closed the city’s Central Fish Market for a months-long facelift in the past, as reported by Khaleej Times. Works like that are rare, but they are a good reason to check the current status on Google Maps before a long drive.
Is Fujairah Fish Market worth the drive?
If you cook fish at home, yes. The mix of fresh stock, honest sellers and room to bargain is hard to match in a supermarket, and the 4.2 rating suggests plenty of people feel the same. Go early, carry cash, bring a cool bag and take your time walking the row. Even if you only come away with a kilo of kingfish and a bag of lemons, the trip will have paid for itself.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Fujairah Fish Market located?
It is at 49F3+CQW, Al ’Uwaid, Fujairah, near the Corniche and Al Jaber Tower. Open the Google Maps listing for live directions.
What are the opening hours?
Most days it opens from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm and again from 4:28 pm to 10 pm. On Fridays the morning session ends at 11 am. Confirm the latest times on the Google listing.
What is the Google rating?
The market holds 4.2 out of 5 from 4,378 reviews. You can read the full reviews on Google before you go.
Which fish should I buy first?
Shoppers praise kingfish, hamour, sea bream and shrimp. Availability changes daily, so ask what landed that morning. For Dubai price comparisons, see this Al Karama Fish Market guide.
Can I bargain at the market?
Yes, polite bargaining is part of the routine, especially if you buy a larger amount. Compare two or three stalls first.
Will they clean and cut the fish for me?
Yes. Cleaning counters scale, gut and cut fish for a small fee. A local guide reports roughly AED 1 to 1.5 per kilo, but ask before you pay.
Is the market open on Friday?
Yes. The morning session runs from 7:30 am to 11 am and the evening session from 4:30 pm to 10 pm, as shown on the Google listing.
Is it better than a Dubai fish market?
It depends on what you want. Fujairah gives you east coast catch and a smaller-town feel. Dubai’s Al Karama market is closer if you live in the city.
Where can I eat after shopping?
Small grills near the market may cook your catch for a fee. On the way back, try one of these shawarma spots across the UAE.
Is it suitable for visitors and families?
Yes. Reviewers describe clean stalls and helpful staff, and the Corniche, Fujairah Fort and the Heritage Village are close by for a longer outing. You can read background on the city on Wikipedia.
Disclaimer
This guide is based on the public Google Maps listing, shopper feedback and local guides. Opening hours, fees, stall availability and prices change often, and the market may shift its schedule during Ramadan, holidays or maintenance. Please confirm the latest details before you travel. This article is for general information only.
