The emirate is home to more than 200 islands
You probably know Abu Dhabi for its beaches, skyline and waterfront spots, but there’s a whole lot more to discover once you get out on the water.
The emirate is home to more than 200 islands, and now there’s a new digital guide designed to help you explore them.
The Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide, launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, brings together island information, water-based activities, suggested itineraries and licensed operators in one place.
So, whether you fancy spending the day sailing, island-hopping or kayaking through mangroves, the new platform gives you a starting point for planning your next adventure.
One of the most useful features is that the guide clearly explains which islands visitors can access and which ones have restrictions.
Islands are divided into categories including highly recommended, accessible, limited access, marine protected areas, privately owned and no visitor access.
That means you can do a little homework before heading off rather than arriving somewhere only to discover it’s off limits.
The platform also includes information about Abu Dhabi’s coastal environment and marine landscape, helping visitors understand the areas they’re exploring and how to do so safely and responsibly.
The guide isn’t simply a list of islands to tick off.
You can browse sailing experiences, island-hopping trips and kayaking excursions, as well as connect with licensed operators offering activities around the emirate’s coastline.
There’s also an interactive map, making it easier to get a feel for what’s around and plan your day on the water.
For anyone who has spent most of their time exploring Abu Dhabi from land, it’s a pretty good excuse to see the emirate from a completely different perspective.
And there’s a reason the sea plays such an important role in Abu Dhabi’s story. DCT Abu Dhabi says the initiative is also intended to celebrate the emirate’s maritime heritage, while encouraging people to experience its waters in a sustainable and responsible way.
The new guide forms part of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to grow outdoor, nature-based and coastal tourism across the emirate.
The strategy is targeting 39.3 million visitors a year by 2030, along with 178,000 new tourism jobs and an increase in tourism’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s economy to AED 90 billion.
The new platform is also intended to shine a light on lesser-known destinations and encourage visitors to spend longer in the emirate – and come back to discover more.
The guide was developed in collaboration with the Department of Government Enablement, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Department of Economic Development, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Maritime.
So, if you’re looking for something different to do in Abu Dhabi, perhaps it’s time to stop looking at the islands from the shore.
There are more than 200 of them. You might as well start exploring.
The guide is available on the Experience Abu Dhabi website (visitabudhabi.ae) under Plan Your Tri /Islands and Water Sports Guide
