The corniche affords a picturesque view across to the village of Ayjah . Dhows used to be led to safe haven by Ayjah’s three watchtowers , which mark the passage into the lagoon. It is still possible to see the boats being made by hand alongside this passage. To reach the dhow yards , turn left at the souq end of Main St and follow the road in a crescent past the corniche to the great lagoon.
The road circles back eventually to the new souq, passing by Fatah al Khair , a beautifully restored dhow built in Sur 70 years ago and brought back from retirement in Yemen. A small open-air museum (open during daylight hours) in the grounds houses other traditional vessels. Look out for a small workshop opposite the dhow: Sur is famous for carpentry and some finely crafted model dhows are on sale here (opening hours are at the whim of the owner).
