RAKpedia

Wadi Shawka

Wadi Shawka is a picturesque area that is famous for its immense nature and turquoise pools. In the past, the wadi was running with water, which provided a sufficient amount to support the vast palm gardens. Nowadays, there is less water in the area and most pools can only be seen after rainfall, mainly during the winter time. The surrounding gardens are also not as extensive as they used to be and dying palm trees can be spotted here and there. The pollution, mainly near the dam, caused by the accumulation of rubbish, does not add much to this area. However, if cleaned, it would be an amazing place.

Nevertheless, Wadi Shawka is definitely worth a visit, it is a wonderful destination for birdwatchers, off road bikers, nature lovers and for those who look for a peaceful location for a picnic. It has rich vegetation, which grows through almost the entire wadi giving this valley a unique appearance. On the way, you will see palm gardens and agricultural fields, some of them abandoned but others still cultivated. A number of these farms still grow tobacco, which in the past was one of the main products of Wadi Shawka and other surrounding wadis. In the vicinity of these farms, you can also see ruins of old houses previously used by local farmers. A falaj irrigation system can be spotted on the way, although now the sound of modern water pumps also makes its presence heard.

The village of Shawka is a typical UAE village. It is made up of some older and modern houses, it has a mosque, some small shops, a health centre and other facilities that a village needs to survive. In the past, this area was covered with small farms that cultivated date palms and other foodstuff. The greenery that still surrounds the Shawka is what makes this village special and overall leaves a pleasant impression.

On the way to the dam, around 800m from the main road, you can see ruins of a watch tower located on a flat plain near the palm groves. Its purpose was to protect the vast gardens and agricultural fields of Shawka. Although the majority of farms have disappeared with time, the size of the tower indicates how important this area must have been. Nowadays, the tower is crumbling, but loop-hols, a typical defence feature, can still be seen. Recently, the tower has been fenced to prevent further devastation of this object. You can also pop in to one of the abandoned gardens nearby or quickly visit a still functional farm, if allowed by the owners. In the area of the dam you can find some old stone houses, and it is also where the small pools can be located. Pools can as well be spotted on the other side of the main road, around 100m after the road that leads to the dam and 600m before the village of Shawka.

LOCATION: southern district of Ras Al Khaimah, around 80km south of Ras Al Khaimah.

Take the route E18 and drive towards RAK Airport, and then towards Masafi. After about 40km from the Airport R/A, you should arrive at a T-junction with route E88 (Masafi-Dhaid Rd). You have to turn right towards Dhaid and then 2km further take the second U-turn. Pass the petrol station and immediately turn right. At the next Y-intersection turn right (there is a sign indicating Kadra, Showka and Wadi Munai) and continue to drive for about 21km until you arrive at the village of Shawka. To see the wadi, turn left, just when the signpost says Shawka. Pass the village and at the end of the tarmac road enter the wadi. At some point, the gravel track split into two paths, the left one is the road to the Shawka dam, the right one takes you further into the wadi. If you decide to cross the wadi, after around 10km you should arrive at a T-junction. The track to the left will take you to Isfay, and from there a tarmac road goes to Siji through Sfini, and then further to Masafi. The track to the right passes Wadi Ijeli up to Wadi Munay’i.

You can also reach the dam by turning left 1km before the village of Shawka into a tarmac road. If the dam is dry, drive down if you wish to enter the wadi.

GPS: Watch tower - N25^o06’ 12.98” E56^o02’ 04.75”

Shawka’s Dam - N25^o06’ 19.65” E56^o02’ 34.08”

NOTE: the village is paved but to drive through the wadi you need a 4WD. The road is not easy and very rough at some points, so be prepared.