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Just outside Abu Dhabi city centre, the sprawling Mangrove National Park is a jewel in the UAE capital’s crown. An ideal place for families, bird watchers and photographers looking to escape the hustle of the city for a few hours, this beautiful and surprising park continues to be one of the emirate’s most important ecological assets, protected by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). Mangrove National Park constitutes about 75 per cent of the total mangrove forest area in the UAE and is a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats, and algal communities.
Most often found growing in the sea waters of tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas, the mangrove’s indigenous trees act as natural windbreakers, protecting the region against tidal surges and purifying surrounding water. Mangroves are also highly effective at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trapping it in flooded soils for millennia.
A real haven for nature lovers, the mangroves are home to a surprising variety of inhabitants, including crabs, herons, flamingos and fish. They also provide a habitat for turtles, foraging foxes and marine mammals like dugong and dolphin. One of the best ways to discover this peaceful, beautiful landscape is by kayaking, with the park offering myriad channels to venture down. Don’t forget your camera.
The Mangroves
Imagine trees being able to protect the region against tidal surges, purify the surrounding water and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That’s the essential role mangroves play in Mother Nature and why this area is significant to the city and the region.
With stalks reaching up to 15 feet in height, the forest is home to a colourful community of crabs, turtles, herons, flamingos and fish living alongside larger creatures like foxes, dugongs and dolphins - what a wonder the Earth is!
If bird-watching is your passion, charge your phones or cameras because there are over 60 bird species you could stumble upon. From the greater flamingos to western reef herons, these creatures tend to pop in and out depending on the season so capturing them through your lens is a sure delight.
Stay in the Mangroves
Why escape from nature when you’re right there? Tuck into much-needed relaxation at the nearby Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel - a luxury retreat that is cosily nestled in the lush landscape. From sunset hues to stark views of the mangroves, there is plenty to appreciate at this Arabian-inspired getaway.
If an overnight isn’t possible, you can savour the quiet beauty of the mangroves from the Impressions lounge at the hotel. With a birds-eye view of the forest, sunsets here hit differently and are sure to capture your heart.
Venture into the Mangroves
To get closer to this wonder of nature, how about trekking into the water with some help? To protect the sensitivity of the waters, select from stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or hopping on a private boat tour led by licensed and ecologically responsible tour operators such as Seahawk Water Sports, Noukhada and Al Mahara Diving.
Decide whether you would traverse the mangroves with a tour guide or on your own, perhaps for some extended quiet time in the lap of seclusion. Be careful though as it may be difficult to manoeuvre during some seasons so if you aren’t too sure, follow the guide. The best time to kayak is when there is a high tide, so check before venturing out.
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Frequently asked questions about Mangrove National Park
Where are mangroves found in Abu Dhabi?
The Mangrove National Park is on the northerly shores of the city close to Reem Island.
Are the mangroves in Abu Dhabi natural?
Yes, the park is completely natural and protected by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).
Why are mangroves important in Abu Dhabi?
The mangrove forests protect the region against tidal surges, purify the surrounding water and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.