Suwaidi Pearls: A Window to Ras Al Khaimah’s Rich Cultural History
With over 7,000 years of fascinating history, traditional culture and magnificent landscapes, Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates promises an authentic and accessible Arabian experience. The Emirate’s culture and heritage are very much the product of a desert dwelling, seafaring and Arabic way of life.
For a peek into the incredible era of pearling, an excursion at Suwaidi Pearls, a one-of-a-kind pearl farm in Ras Al Khaimah is a must. Founded in 2005 by Abdulla Al Suwaidi, Suwaidi Pearls was established with an aim to preserve the Al Suwaidi family legacy and to revive the country’s proud tradition.
Dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the Al Suwaidi family is intrinsically linked to the history of pearling in the Gulf region for generations leading finally to the 20th century where Abdulla’s grandfather was one of the last remaining pearl divers in the UAE before the discovery of oil and the invention of the ‘cultured’ pearl.
Pearling was once the lifeblood of the local community and the country’s main source of wealth. In an ongoing effort to preserve the rich legacy, Suwaidi Pearls is one of the leading national entrepreneurship projects in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and the UAE’s only pearl farm that provides locally sourced pearls to jewellers around the world.
An absolute visual delight, the cultured pearl farm is situated at the foot of the expansive Al Hajar mountain range in the northern town of Al Rams. The excursion is intriguing right from the start with visitors boarding a traditional pearling boat to reach the pearl farm. The four thousand square meter farm produces 40,000 implanted oysters annually with a 60 per cent success rate and only 10 per cent of the pearls are of highest quality.
A special guided tour helps visitors get acquainted with the historic significance of pearling and an insight into the lives of pearl divers, followed by a glimpse into the process of ‘cultivating’ pearls in current times. The highlight of the pearl farm tour is the host of immersive activities on offer, including the oyster opening experience, underwater diving (to find and keep your pearl), kayaking, mangrove tour, and a traditional lunch provided by Emirati women in the village.
The pearl farm tour starts at AED 300 and lasts between two and four hours based on the menu of chosen activities with lunch provided at an additional fee of AED 50.
For more information and to book the tour, please contact +9717 221 1124 or visit https://www.suwaidi-pearls.com/
