From mangrove forests to winding mountain roads, uncover the landscapes that define Abu Dhabi’s quieter side.
For all its polished skyline and capital-city splendour, Abu Dhabi is a natural wilderness at heart. Edged by mangroves and desert, islands and salt lakes, this is a place where nature and adventure sit surprisingly close to home. Mornings might begin on a paddleboard among herons and end with sand in your shoes from an afternoon in the dunes. Birdwatchers, surfers and hikers will all find their rhythm here. Read on as we uncover the best places to reconnect with the outdoors in Abu Dhabi.
Mangroves National Park
In a city known for its golden sands, Mangroves National Park offers something else entirely. A serene green lung at the city’s edge, the park covers over 19 square kilometres of calm waterways and salt-tolerant forest, forming a vital part of Abu Dhabi’s coastal ecosystem. It is teeming with aquatic and avian wildlife, including turtles, herons and flamingos, as well as larger creatures such as dugongs and dolphins. Home to more than 60 species of birds, it’s an ornithophile’s paradise.
There are plenty of ways to embrace this salty, spectacular forest, from stand-up paddleboarding to kayaking. For a more relaxed afternoon, a number of ecologically-responsible boat operators offer private tours through the waterways.
Jubail Mangroves Park Boardwalk
For those who prefer land underfoot, the nearby Jubail Mangrove Park has beautiful boardwalk trails that wind through the trees. This park is more about eco-consciousness and mindful presence than it is about adventure – walking leisurely along raised paths as the tide moves in and out beneath your feet. Set across a vast 5,000-hectare stretch of protected coastline, the park is another natural paradise brimming with wildlife, from gazelles and flamingos to mudskippers and crabs. Interpretive signs along the way offer lessons in ecology throughout, placing respect for the natural landscape at the foreground.
Activities in Jubail Mangrove Park lean calm and contemplative with night-glow kayaking, full moon yoga on the deck, and guided electric boat tours. The best time to visit is during the balmy winter months, which coincide with the arrival of migratory birds and some of the most beautiful light of the year.
Road Trip or Cycle on Jebel Hafit
Rocky, wind-sculpted and dramatic, Jebel Hafit rises from the desert near Al Ain. It is the tallest (and only) mountain in Abu Dhabi and the second-tallest in the UAE, stretching 1,249 metres above sea level. The winding, snake-like road to the summit is one of the region’s most cinematic routes, unfolding across 11 kilometres of perfectly paved switchbacks. Driving enthusiasts have declared the route one of the world’s greatest driving roads, and it’s equally popular with cyclists (be warned, however, it’s more suited for intense elevation training than leisurely riding). At the summit, there’s a scattering of shaded rest stops and viewing platforms with a clear line of sight over Al Ain’s city grid, surrounding farms, and the Oman border beyond.
At the foot of the mountain, Jebel Hafit Desert Park brings a more leisurely adventure with camel treks, wadi walking trails, and the ancient Jebel Hafit Tombs. These beehive-like stone structures date back 5000 years and mark the beginning of the Bronze Age in the UAE.
Bike or Paddleboard on Al Hudayriat Island
Just off the coast of Al Bateen, Al Hudayriat Island is steadily becoming one of the city’s most popular outdoor destinations. Connected to the mainland by a sweeping bridge, the 3,000-hectare development brings an easygoing blend of sport, open space and beach. A favourite with cyclists, Al Hudayriat has two winding tracks that loop around the island, complete with water stations and a fully equipped cycling hub. Football pitches, climbing walls and volleyball courts make this Abu Dhabi escape well-suited for families looking for an energetic day out in the capital.
What draws people back to Al Hudayriat Island is its pristine open beach. Long and uncrowded, it’s ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or jet skiing along one of the UAE’s most untouched stretches of coastline. To linger longer, the island also doubles as a glamping getaway, with comfortable tents and campervans. It’s the kind of place where mornings start with sea views and end around a firepit.
Discover the Abu Dhabi Desert
Long before the city came the sand. Golden, elemental and ever-shifting, the desert is Abu Dhabi at its most authentic. The best way to experience it up close is on a guided desert safari. Most excursions begin with a 4x4 drive deep into the dunes, led by drivers skilled in navigating ridgelines and steep descents. Flow is the language here, rather than speed, although it can be fast when the landscape allows.
Many safaris include camel rides and falconry demonstrations – two of the most enduring symbols of desert life. As the national bird of the UAE, falcons are still trained and flown today, offering a glimpse into a practice that predates the city by centuries. Some experiences also include saluki dogs, a breed long used for hunting in this region.
While most desert tours take place just outside the city, those with more time can venture further into the Empty Quarter (the world’s largest sand desert), or to Liwa, which is known for its towering red dunes and dramatic, undisturbed landscapes. Evening camps bring the day to a close with simple comforts: dates, coffee, and traditional dishes served around low tables.
Surf or Swim on Saadiyat Beach
Abu Dhabi’s connection to the sea is most evident on Saadiyat Island. Despite being home to some of the emirate’s most coveted cultural and real estate developments, Saadiyat still manages to feel quietly raw in parts – especially along Saadiyat Beach, where the sand is pale, the shore is long, and the sea is dazzlingly topaz. Critically-endangered Hawksbill turtles nest here during the right season, protected by the gargantuan efforts of the Hawksbill Turtle Conservation Programme.
There are loungers and shaded spots to settle in, but it’s also one of the best places in the city to walk for hours, uninterrupted. In the cooler months, when the swell cooperates, Saadiyat is also one of the few places in the UAE where you can catch a natural surf – gentle, seasonal, and best suited to longboards – but real nonetheless.
