Not far from the steel-and-glass skyscrapers of downtown Abu Dhabi, set between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Jubail Island’s mangroves and wildlife feel worlds away. Bring your camera, because this is where one of the emirate’s most exquisite (and most important) habitats takes centre stage.

Jubail Island is an ecological haven anchored by Jubail Mangrove Park, a colourful mosaic of shallows and twisting green corridors that reveal Abu Dhabi’s unique biodiversity. Explore this sanctuary from a web of raised boardwalks that thread past schools of fish and even grazing gazelles, while dozens of bird species – including flamingos, reef herons, ospreys, and the elusive greater spotted eagle – wade through the water or hide among the canopies.

High tide sees the mangroves partially submerged, their branches brushing the surface of still water; at low tide, the forest floor emerges, revealing tangled roots and shimmering tidal pools. See it all from the water with kayaking experiences in the morning, noon or evening. Just beyond the mangroves, Marfaa Al Jubail Marina offers a quiet landing for yachts, speedboats, fishing boats and houseboats, where the stunning environment can be admired from the waterline. This is nature at its purest, and it’s right on Abu Dhabi’s doorstep.