There’s much to be said about being the captain of your own destiny, and out on the open waves it’s hard not to feel like a full-blooded commander of the high seas.
Abu Dhabi’s liquid attraction, both salty and fresh, is part of the reason why so many tourists flock to the capital from across the seven seas each year.
For those lucky enough to live here all year long, there’s a glut of H20-driven activities to keep adrenaline pumping and the good times rolling (or should that be sailing).
Whether that’s a chilled group dinner cruise, thrilling chase on a jet ski, earning certified diver status, or paddling through conservation zones in a kayak, Abu Dhabi has you covered.
What are you waiting for? It’s time to ‘seas’ the day.
Fishing trips
Fishing UAE
First-timers and experienced anglers alike can step on to a fully equipped vessel for a comfortable and professional deep sea fishing experience. Barracuda, grouper, sharrie, sultan Ibrahim, queen fish and king fish – they could all end up in your net, though you’d do well to hook the less common cobia and trevally. Food is not included, but landlubbers are welcome to bring snacks and the likes on-board. Super confident sailors can elect to fish for their supper and have their catch cooked up on deck. You can even take it to a dock-adjacent restaurant if the mood strikes. However, catch and release is in play for those not chowing down on their prize. The clean and cook service comes at an additional charge, but provides an authentic experience.
Daily tours. fishinguae.com (052 899 6301).
Trip Arabia
Part of experiencing all of what Abu Dhabi has to offer includes an unforgettable game fishing experience. Gather a few friends and chart a course for the deep blue on a boat fully equipped with all the necessary gear (or bring your own if you’re a dab hand with a rod). Accompanied by an experienced captain, fishermen and women will be in the market for tuna, sailfish, salmon and a few other scaly characters during their voyage. After the bait is back in the box and you’ve (hopefully) snagged a few snaps with the catch of the day, kick back on deck and basks in these sweet skyline views just off the coast. Whether you’re a group of four or sailing solo, there’s a package for all kinds here.
Daily tours 8am-5pm. triparabia.ae (054 580 0101).
Crank it up
Flowboarding
We don’t have a great deal of swell for surfers in the Arabian Gulf, but artificial waves can be found on flowboarding and body boarding simulators at the Yas Waterworld waterpark. Bubble’s Barrel is just one of the adrenaline thrill rides on the site that simulates surfing with what it claims to be the world’s largest sheet wave. We don’t know what that means either, but we love the promise of year-round surfing and guaranteed waves.
Daily. 10am-7pm. Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 115).
Flyboarding
Look oh so fly with a flyboarding experience at Abu Dhabi Marine. And whether you faceplant straight into the mighty blue or remain drier than a camel’s knuckle while hovering above the wash below, this truly is a memorable activity to grasp with both hands (and any other appendage you can wrap around it). Everybody starts off as a beginner, but stick with it and bag yourself that wicked Insta snap.
Daily. Call for timings. Abu Dhabi Marine, Abu Dhabi Corniche, abudhabimarine.ae (056 946 6898).
Jet-Sking
Wanna feel your heart pumping? Located near Al Mina, Blue Whale Jet ski has professional, certified and experienced jet ski instructors to take you through the experience from start to finish. If going out on the waves isn’t quite your thing attach a banana boat and take your friends for a spin too.
Daily 9am-sunset. bluewhalejetski.com (050 760 6072).
Kitesurf
At KiteSURF, you don’t need to have any previous experience. Lessons start from beginner level and instructors will take you through what you need to know until you are confident in your abilities. Even though you can kitesurf without being super fit, depending on the wind and water conditions, you could get quite an intense workout. It’s also a great way to spend quality time on the water while you experience the sheer thrill of controlling the power of your kite, the adrenaline rush from sliding across the water, and the exhilaration of weightlessness when flying in the air. KiteSURF follows the International Kiteboarding Association standards and offers three levels which will eventually get you riding on your own.
Daily 10am-7pm. kitesurf-uae.com (052 709 9797).
Wakeboarding
Al Forsan Sport Centre is regarded as one of the world’s very best water-ski facilities – and with good reason. Unlike the traditional version of the past-time, riders here cling on to a motorised cableway that drags them along the waves at speeds topping 38kph. Aerial tricks are old hat for pros, but just staying on the board is commendable for those testing the waters of a new, high-octane activity.
Sun-Thu, 2-11pm, Fri, 10am-10pm. Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City A, alforsan.com (02 656 5656).
Wakesurfing
If you’ve ever wanted to wakesurf, wakeboard, or hydrofoil, Eywoa Marine Sports was created for riders by riders – and has it all. Regardless of your level, experienced instructors are available to ensure you have a memorable experience out on the water. Beginners will be taught how to get up out of the water and to use the tow rope safely, as well as go over the basic hand signals with the spotter. You need to be able to swim at least 50m to join any class, so it’s worth digging out those old swimming certificates from back in the day.
Daily 6am-6pm. eywoa.com (050 121 0264).
Whitewater rafting
Whitewater rafting in the desert? It seems like it wouldn’t quite add up. But actually, the manmade rapids of Al Ain prove that even the wildest of water sports can be ticked off in the great expanses of UAE sand. Kayaking and surfing make for great stablemates at this purpose-built (durr) facility. Life jacket and safety jackets keep everything above the surface in case you take a tumble, and in terms of white-knuckle factor, it’s got it by the bucket.
Daily. 11am-7pm. Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, wadiadventure.ae (03 781 8422).
Kayaking
Camping and kayaking
Fancy combining kayaking and camping? Then the overnight tour provided by Noukhada Adventure Company could be just what you need. This trip is ideal for family and friends who love a night under the stars on a desert island (who doesn’t?). Fair warning: This excursion is better suited to people who have kayaked before and who don’t mind roughing it a bit. The Noukhada Adventure Company team will assist with packing and transportation of food and cooking equipment, but other than that you are largely paddling solo. The trip includes the use of tents and thin sleeping mats; barbecue, charcoal, and cooking utensils; crockery and cutlery. Just don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag.
noukhada.ae (02 558 1889).
Eastern Mangroves
There’s a lot to love about Eastern Mangroves and the natural beauty of the park is clear to see even from dry land. But getting in the thick of it comes with our strong recommendation, and that’s best achieved via kayak. Get as close as you possibly can to the living, breathing ecosystem while paddling through the dense shrubbery. Arms tired? Bank your kayak on the shore and stroll along the water’s edge instead. Guides are on hand to provide info on the local ecosystem, its significance
to the local area and history in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, seahawk.ae and noukhada.ae.
Jubail Mangrove Park
Jubail Mangrove Park quickly became one of the most visited attractions in Abu Dhabi when it opened in January 2020. Aside from the winding paths through the mangroves, where you can go nature spotting and snap pictures for your Instagram page, there are a number of water sports on offer as well. Take to a kayak for a proper tour through the mangroves and admire the natural beauty from the water.
Dates and times vary. Jubail Mangrove Walk, Jubail Island, noukhada.ae.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the most iconic sites in the UAE and there’s more to explore at the museum than its collection of masterpieces (of which there are many). Grab paddle and hop into a kayak to admire the incredible architecture from a new perspective, paddling yourself around the moat of water that surrounds the iconic structure. Better still, get down there after dark, when night paddles offer angles of the museum’s dome lit up for all to see.
Days and times vary. Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island, seahawk.ae.
Reem Park
This park is packed full of ways to keep active, from the playgrounds and sports courts to the skate park and walking and cycling areas. You can also hop on an e-scooter to tour the park in lickety-split fashion. By the waterside there are kayaks available to rent, giving visitors the chance to explore the mangroves or go out to sea for a unique view of the city.
Dates and times vary. Reem Park, Reem Island, seahawk.ae.
Wadi Adventure
If you like your watersports with a bit of adrenaline thrown in, you’ll be in your element at Wadi Adventure. It is home to a 1.7km white-water kayaking channel, which also happens to be the world’s longest. The centre also provides kayaking lessons. Mint.
Open daily 11am-7pm. Al Ain (03 781 8422).
Scuba Diving
Learn the ropes with Abu Dhabi Marine
Whether you’ve never touched a wetsuit and a regulator or if you’re PADI certified and looking to log a few more dives, Abu Dhabi Marine offers a variety of diving experiences in line with international standards and offers certificates from beginner to expert levels. Junior courses are available for kids from eight years old, too. Located in the Abu Dhabi Marine International Sports Club Marina, you’re in great hands with the qualified, multilingual instructors ready to offer you an amazing diving experience. Weekend diving trips to Saadiyaat reef, Al Dhabiya, Hammour Wreck, The New Barge, the Old Barge, Artificial Reef, and MV Jassim can also be arranged.
Daily dives are available, call ahead to confirm availability. abudhabimarine.ae (8004386).
Get out there and discover Red Buoy
About 20km off the coast of Abu Dhabi lies the Red Buoy diving site. With a descent of 11 metres, visibility is next to perfection, meaning lots of clear shots of the marine life and a couple of yourself for the ’gram when you diving out of the capital.
Al Mahara Diving Centre Al Mina Road. Open Sun-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 8am-5.30pm. Al Mina Road, www.divemahara.com (050 111 8125).
Best of the rest
Yas Waterworld
Just like everything on Yas Island, Yas Waterworld makes us very happy indeed. Themed around an old Emirati legend, the park is divided into four thrill levels: Adrenaline Rush, Exciting Adventure, Moving and Grooving and, finally, Young Fun. Each zone caters to different age groups and with 40 slides there is something for everyone (even the big fraidy cats). The Tot’s Playground is ideal for parents of younger children as they can let them splash around safely in
the shade.
From Dhs250. Open daily 10am-5pm. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, yaswaterworld.com (600 511 51).
Captain Tony’s
Captain Tony’s, one of the first eco-conscious boat tour operators in Abu Dhabi, offers visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the waters of the emirate. Depart from the Eastern Mangroves Marina and enjoy a guided tour Eastern Mangroves National Park, where you’ll be guided deep into the reserve to explore the area, have a swim and bask in the tranquillity of the protected area.
From Dhs180. Daily tours depart hourly from 7am until sunset. captaintonys.ae (050 133 2060).
Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise
Experience the history and culture of the capital by jumping aboard a dhow cruise through the city. Each journey has been designed to ferry passengers though the rich tapestry of Abu Dhabi, and whether a romantic couple hitting the waves or friends experiencing the city from a new angle, there’s a bit of something for everyone. Relax in the open, evening air set against the backdrop of the iconic city skyline while enjoying the on-board ambience and delicious platters on offer.
