Private clubs, besides being leisure spaces, function as social communities. In Abu Dhabi, as life evolves, so does the way people choose to spend their time. And as private membership offers practical and continual solutions, these clubs have evolved into places to swim or tee off, where colleagues meet over coffee, children learn to sail, and friendships form quietly across seasons.
The sense of community serves as one of the most enduring draws to private clubs. Being in shared spaces with limited access often leads to familiar faces and casual routines, which in turn strengthen social bonds.
In such venues where legacy membership schemes endure, families can maintain their presence across generations. For professionals, the environment offers a kind of low-pressure setting where business conversations happen naturally, maybe over a round of golf, at a marina brunch, or simply between lessons on a riding track.
This curated guide features some of the emirate's top lifestyle clubs, chosen while taking into account their amenities and heritage.
The Club Abu Dhabi (Private Members' Club)
Described as Abu Dhabi’s favourite private resort, The Club is considered a members-only retreat along the Corniche, featuring two private beaches, a 25-metre lap pool with water slides, tennis and squash courts, a large gym complex, a salon, a cinema, and a wellness spa. Its family offerings are especially notable: sailing classes, ballet for children, seasonal camps, and youth sports academies. Dining is varied, with venues such as The Vista, Three60, and Family Hub catering to every preference.
Membership is open to UAE residents, and they also enjoy reciprocal access to 25 global clubs through the venue’s status as a "Platinum Club of the World." British royalty and global dignitaries have graced its colonial-style clubhouse over the years, adding to its charm and credibility.
Saadiyat Beach Club (Luxury Beach Club)
On the sands of Saadiyat Island, this Beach Club pairs barefoot luxury with five-star hospitality. Having an infinity pool, private cabanas, a high-end spa and wellness centre, and direct access to a pristine beach, the venue is well-equipped for winding down and staying active. Members benefit from discounted rates at Safina and La Salle Bistro, alongside privileges on fitness classes and spa treatments.
The club's coastal location over Saadiyat Island’s clear water, along with its low-rise architecture and open setting, recreates a quiet and measured escape.
Nation Riviera Beach Club (St. Regis Abu Dhabi)
This club sits on the Corniche and is operated by the St. Regis Abu Dhabi. It offers a 200-metre stretch of private beachfront, a lagoon-style pool, and a dedicated children’s area known as Treasure Island. The offering continues with twin fitness facilities (Nation Riviera and Azura) with personalised training and tunnel access from the hotel for convenience.
Annual membership includes year-round access plus generous discounts on rooms, spa services, and dining. Nation Riviera maintains the standards that are typical of a St. Regis-managed facility.
Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (Watersports & Sailing)
Sailors like Roger Williams and David Sommerville, among the top three in the Laser World Championships, trained in the calm yet demanding waters off Abu Dhabi’s coast. This club is accredited by the Royal Yachting Association and has roots that can be traced to 1967. It sits on the Corniche breakwater, and members can get certified sailing instruction, boat rentals, paddle boarding, and regular regattas. With its own 100-metre beach and full rigging and training facilities, it's an ideal base for new sailors and seasoned competitors alike.
Membership is available to both individuals and families, granting access to boats, classes, and the club’s sailing community.
The Captain’s Club (Powerboat Access – Yas Marina)
A members-only powerboat club based at Yas Marina, The Captain’s Club offers access to a fleet of luxury boats across the UAE without the responsibilities of ownership. Members can reserve fully serviced boats via the app, with curated options such as training, fuel, and the choice of a professional captain included. Since it was founded back in 2014, it has grown into the country’s largest, with over 100 vessels operating across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah. It was the UAE’s first boat club to adopt the subscription model. It has also introduced a global first guaranteed weekend access backed by a full refund.
Offering membership tiers that are flexible and depend on usage makes it a practical solution for those who enjoy boating but prefer not to get involved in maintenance and depreciation.
Nirvana Boat Club (Subscription Yacht Club)
With a modern fleet of over 50 boats from global brands in its lineup for the year 2025, Nirvana Boat Club provides luxury yachting access across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. What is not known to everyone is that this club is the only one in the UAE to include a 16-metre houseboat in its membership fleet. The app offers flexible timing options where you book a vessel for day use, evening cruises, or overnight stays.
Members can also use the mobile app to reserve Sea Rays, Boston Whalers, Aquila catamarans, and more, with onboard captains, optional training, and flexible membership.
Plans include credits for boat usage, captain hours, and seasonal pauses. The experience leans into a Mediterranean-style lifestyle, with calm night cruises and lively social events.
Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club (Royal Polo Club)
Founded by Sheikh Zayed and still patronised by Sheikh Falah, Ghantoot remains the UAE’s only royal polo club. Spread across 300 hectares, it includes eight world-class fields, 300 horse stables, and a grandstand for 2,000 spectators. The colonial-style clubhouse offers fine dining and a pool, while its calendar features international tournaments and gala events.
Membership is by invitation only and bespoke corporate and hospitality packages are also available. It remains the polo destination of choice for royals and global VIPs.
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club (Horse Riding & Racing)
Since 1976, the ADEC has served as the capital’s centre for horse racing and riding. The club hosts international showjumping events and high-level horse racing competitions like the President’s Cup. In addition to its sporting calendar, the club offers a riding academy with programmes for all ages and skill levels, plus a therapeutic riding schedule.
Membership is open to individuals and families, and options like stable services, pony leasing, and structured lessons are among its key offerings.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club (Championship Golf Course)
Designed by Peter Harradine and opened back in 2000, Abu Dhabi Golf Club features an 18-hole championship layout and the iconic falcon-winged clubhouse. From 2006 through 2021, it was the home of Abu Dhabi HSBC, where it hosted 16 consecutive editions on the European (now DP World) Tour. Members benefit from a variety of options, including unlimited golf (depending on plan), pool and gym access, and privileges at the on-site resort and spa.
Plans are structured by the number of rounds (Silver, Gold, Platinum), and family packages are available.
Conclusion
Adding value to the lives of Abu Dhabi residents, these clubs are built not only for recreation but also to help maintain a work-life balance, a necessity that is increasingly harder to achieve in the fast-paced age we are living in. The rise of structured leisure in Abu Dhabi began earlier than many might assume. The Club Abu Dhabi – founded by expatriates in 1962 on land donated by Sheikh Zayed, ten years before the UAE was formed – became a key social space during the city’s early development years.
Nearly fifty years later, the opening of Saadiyat Beach Club in 2011 represented a turning point from expatriate-driven social clubs to lifestyle destinations centred on health, community, and beachside living.
