Ditch the gym, jump in a kayak and get fit in the great outdoors.
Craving adventure? You can find it right here, in Abu Dhabi, on a kayaking trip with Noukhada.
The adventure company has launched a new tour in the mangroves close to Al Rahba, half way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Sign up and you’ll be given clear directions and a hand-drawn map, without which you’d get lost.
The start time changes daily as it depends on the tide. On our trip, we wake before dawn and grab the supplies we’ve been told to bring, before tiptoeing out of the house. We see the sunrise in the car.
Once we arrive at the launch point, we hop into a speedboat and spend the next 30 minutes being lashed by wind as we whizz along a channel while everyone else is still in bed.
We pass fishermen and farms, and soon arrive in open water – it’s so clear we can see the bottom. We climb into our kayaks and leave the boat (and civilisation) behind.
There are four to eight people to each instructor but on our tour it’s just us and our guide, along with some flying flamingoes, grey herons and jumping needlefish.
We paddle deep into the mangroves before coming to an island with a clearing surrounded by bushes. ‘This was once all under water,’ our guide explains, pointing to seashells embedded in rocks. ‘Now we host camping trips here.’
We carry on, and arrive at a second uninhabited island. The only signs of life are recent fox footprints, stork nests and an abandoned, derelict house. The doors are locked, except for one room, which still has an old bed, chest and shower. Spooky.
Back outside, we stop still. There are no people, buildings or traffic in any direction. All we hear is silence. When was the last time you heard silence?
Arms aching, we paddle back to the boat. We’ve paddled 4.5km over two and a half hours.
With the sun beating down on us, the speedboat trip back to land doesn’t feel so chilly.
This trip isn’t luxurious. You’ll ache, get wet and your feet will sink into sulphurous mud getting in and out of the kayak. But you’ll never forget it.
Al Rahba trip, Dhs220, every Friday, www.noukhada.ae (02 558 1889). Follow Sarah’s progress in her #TOADFitChallenge on Twitter (@healthy_holiday).
Paddle like a pro
• Dress appropriately – even if you don’t fall in, you’ll definitely get wet
• Take water, snacks and antibacterial gel
• Consider investing in a waterproof bag from Noukhada or Adventure HQ (04 346 6824) so you can take your camera along for the ride
• Keep legs in a frog-like position, knees pointing outwards
• Stretch to warm up and cool down
Other options to float your boat
Noukhada
Noukhada’s main location is at the end of Yas Beach on Yas Island, which has changing facilities and toilets. You can paddle alone close to the lifeguards, out to the mangroves or towards Ferrari World. Kayak hire costs Dhs100 per hour.
The company’s mangrove tour leaves from E45 launch point, next to Eastern Mangroves. There are no facilities. You paddle for 90 minutes to two hours in small groups, starting with a water plant and Aldar’s headquarters to your right and the mangroves to your left, before delving deeper into the mangroves. Look out for flamingoes. Dhs150 adults, Dhs110 for kids under 10, 7am and 4pm.
Sea Hawk Watersports
A two-hour guided tour launches from behind Eastern Mangroves, so you can change and dry off at the hotel. The tour includes water, chopped fruit and a towel. Go at high tide if you want to spot dolphins or low tide to get close to flamingoes. The tour stops at a small beach before delving into the mangrove lanes, some of which are as narrow as your paddle.
Dhs150 adults, Dhs130 kids, 7-9am, 11am-1pm, 3-5pm, www.sea-hawk.ae (02 673 6688).
Watercooled
It takes an hour and 15 minutes to kayak alone from Hiltonia to the flagpole and back. Hug the coast and on the way you’ll pass Marina Mall, Heritage Village and Abu Dhabi Theatre, and have great views of the city. Jet skis and boats make the water choppier here. Experienced kayakers can circle Lulu Island in four and a half hours. You can change at the hotel.
Dhs60 for 30 mins, Dhs90 for an hour, Dhs180 for two hours. Hiltonia, Corniche, www.watercooleduae.com (02 681 1900).
