Jubail Mangrove Park

Jubail Mangrove Park is a protected mangrove forest on Jubail Island, between Yas and Saadiyat. Opened in February 2020, it was the first place in Abu Dhabi to combine a mangrove walk with an educational programme and water trails.

What to see

The highlight is a wooden boardwalk of about 2 km above the tidal channels. It is split into three trails with information points, rest stops and a viewing tower. From the boardwalk you can spot flamingos, western reef herons and other birds, fish, crabs and molluscs in the channels, and sometimes gazelles on the land. Walk it on your own or join a ranger for AED 50 and an hour of stories about mangrove life.

To see the mangroves from the water, take a kayak: guided one-hour paddles (from AED 130), sunrise and sunset tours, and Night Glow trips in kayaks lit from below. If you'd rather not paddle, there are electric boats and an electric dragon boat. The park also sells its own mangrove honey, harvested once a year on the island and available only here.

Getting there

A taxi is the easiest option: it is about 25 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The island sits between Yas and Saadiyat, so the park fits easily into a day with the Saadiyat museums or the Yas theme parks.

Planning your visit

Boardwalk entry is AED 20 for adults and AED 10 for children aged 3–11. An hour is enough for the walk; allow two to three with a kayak or boat ride. Check the tide chart before you go: at high tide the channels fill up for kayaking, at low tide the mangrove roots and crabs are exposed. Mornings and late afternoons are cooler and prettier, and weekdays are quieter.

Before you go

Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, and binoculars if you want to watch birds. Stay on the boardwalk; swimming, smoking, feeding wildlife, pets and unauthorised drones are not allowed, and food and drinks stay off the boardwalk. Water activities are closed to children under 3 and pregnant visitors, and life jackets are mandatory; arrive 15 minutes early and bring a change of clothes. Tickets are non-refundable but can be rescheduled up to 48 hours in advance.