February 2020
Jubail Mangrove Park
Jubail Mangrove Park is a nature and leisure destination in Abu Dhabi. Mangrove nature is a habitat where trees grow in coastal saline or brackish water.
Mangroves in the UAE
The UAE is home to 13 mangrove areas, with eight located in Abu Dhabi. While some of these sites are open to tourists, others have restricted access or are designated as protected areas. In 2019, Abu Dhabi welcomed the opening of Jubail Mangrove Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the ecosystem up close.
Natural water marshes
In addition to its iconic desert landscape, the United Arab Emirates is also home to other unique natural environments—most notably, its mangrove forests. These are the only green forests found in the Gulf region, thanks to the mangrove ecosystem’s remarkable ability to thrive in salty coastal conditions.
The UAE has 13 mangrove areas, covering approximately 155 square kilometers along its coastline. These salt/brackish water marshes provide vital habitats for a range of wildlife, including fish, turtles, and both native and migratory birds.
Jubail Mangrove Park is one of the mangrove areas, a nature and leisure destination in Abu Dhabi.
Unique landscape
Only in recent years has the UAE begun actively restoring and promoting its mangrove forests as accessible ecotourism destinations. In addition to their ecological importance, mangroves have become a strong attraction for tourists.
While some of these sites are open to tourists, others have restricted access or are designated as protected areas. In 2019, Abu Dhabi welcomed the opening of Jubail Mangrove Park, offering visitors a chance to explore the ecosystem up close. In 2021, after a decade of restoration, the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre in Sharjah also reopened to the public. Other popular spots for canoeing or kayaking through the mangroves include the Al Zora Wetland in Ajman and the Khor Al Beidah Wetlands in Umm Al Quwain.
Man made park
Many of these areas now feature walking paths, birdwatching spots, observation towers, and visitor centers that educate the public about how these unique ecosystems function, like Jubail Mangrove Park. One of the most popular and memorable experiences is canoeing through the mangroves—an extraordinary activity in a landscape that remains unfamiliar to many. This initiative to restore and open up the mangroves is not only environmentally significant but also a smart and forward-thinking move by the UAE.
Jubail Mangrove Park is a man made park with a meandering boardwalk which lead through the mangroves (that of course already existed). There is also a lookout hut in modern architecture style where you can overlook the total area.
We loved it and we finished the trip with a visit to the Stroopwafel Cafe in Abu Dhabi.