Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
A blend of nature and luxurious hospitality, the Eastern Mangroves in Abu Dhabi provide a tranquil escape for visitors from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The scenic landscape of forests, home to diverse wildlife and equipped with world-class hotels, enable visitors to have unforgettable experiences, part of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, which aims to boost domestic tourism and attract visitors worldwide.
The Eastern Mangroves offers spectacular views of mangrove forests against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf and Abu Dhabi’s skyline, with areas for light water sports catering to athletes and adventure seekers.
Forest Charm
Located within the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network, the Eastern Mangroves is home to millions of mangroves that attract a diverse range of migratory birds and appeal to nature enthusiasts.
Mangroves cover 13,616 hectares of land in the UAE, including 10,834 hectares in Abu Dhabi. The UAE is home to 60 million mangroves that form forests spanning 183 square kilometres and capture 43,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The country has plans to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 that will increase the green coverage to 483 square kilometres, enabling capture of about 115,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
The UAE has been keen to expand its mangrove cover since the forests protect the UAE’s coasts from rising sea levels and storm surges and provide critical habitats for biodiversity.
Mangroves in the UAE are known to be highly resilient to harsh conditions, including extremely high salinity and super-high temperatures. These trees are excellent water purifiers as they help improve the water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediment in their root systems.
Mangroves also protect coastal areas from erosion by creating a buffer zone, filtering and pacifying tidal flows, and can even reduce the damage and loss of life caused by tsunamis.
They play a role in mitigating the impact of climate change as mangrove forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases at rates faster than tropical forests.
A great way to dive into this nature in Abu Dhabi requires a short trip to the Mangrove National Park. The sprawling swathes of the Mangrove National Park are an unexpectedly stunning sight and one of the Emirate’s most important ecological assets.
Known for its abundance of wildlife, including herons, flamingos, and crabs across 19 square kilometres of forest, the park is the largest and most densely populated in Abu Dhabi. It is a biodiversity hotspot that includes mangrove forests, salt marshes, mudflats and algal blooms.
Home to a wide variety of species, the national park provides a habitat for turtles, foraging foxes and marine mammals such as the dugong and dolphin.
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy captivating panoramic views with a two-hour kayak tour around the reserve and look out for the wildlife.
Luxury Hotels
Complementing the natural allure of the Eastern Mangroves, the area boasts an array of luxury hotels and residential complexes designed to provide supreme comfort and entertainment.
The Eastern Mangroves Promenade hosts 170 spacious apartments across two buildings, and the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel houses 222 five-star luxury rooms elegantly designed with private balconies overlooking the mangroves. The hotel is equipped with world-class facilities for meetings and community events, offering a variety of restaurants and entertainment options, with interior designs inspired by the UAE’s rich heritage and traditions.
Other luxurious hotel destinations include Eastern Mangroves Suites, which house 88 elegant hotel apartments, bringing a valuable addition to Abu Dhabi’s luxury tourism. It features a range of retail outlets, residential facilities, and restaurants.
The Eastern Mangroves Suites offer rooms up to 217 square metres, equipped with world-class amenities, including a swimming pool, gym, and Careem services for a new level of personalised service.
AlDhay, the fifth phase of Bloom Gardens, is a residential project located on the Eastern Mangroves Corniche in Abu Dhabi, comprising 181 townhouses ranging from two to five bedrooms alongside 457 villas and townhouses of Bloom Gardens.
The 30-berth Eastern Mangroves Marina, connected to the Eastern Mangroves Promenade, provides a haven for yachts up to 24 metres in length. Owners benefit from a calm and picturesque environment, modern onshore facilities and full mooring assistance.
Preservation Efforts
Relevant authorities and stakeholders have taken measures to preserve the pristine condition of the Eastern Mangroves, including voluntary cleanup campaigns, stringent regulations against littering and illegal fishing, and educational programmes. These concerted efforts underscore the UAE’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism practices.
Through its initiatives, the UAE continues to solidify its position as a leading destination for ecotourism, aligning with global environmental goals and providing a model for responsible tourism development.
