The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled the Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide, a new digital platform designed to help visitors explore the emirate’s more than 200 islands, marine environments, and growing selection of water-based experiences.
Launched alongside DCT Abu Dhabi’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market 2026, the guide brings together itineraries, activity recommendations, licensed operator listings, information on marine protected areas, an interactive map, and essential coastal guidance in a single digital destination.
The platform is designed to make exploring Abu Dhabi by water more accessible while providing visitors with practical information to plan their journeys safely and responsibly.
Discovering Abu Dhabi From the Water
The guide highlights the range of maritime experiences available across the emirate, from sailing and island-hopping to kayaking through mangrove ecosystems and exploring Abu Dhabi’s coastal environments.
Visitors can connect directly with licensed operators through the platform while accessing information to support planning for various water-based activities. The guide also features the emirate’s major islands, categorising them by accessibility and visitor status.
The categories include highly recommended, accessible, limited access, marine protected area, privately owned, and no visitor access. This classification gives users a clearer understanding of where they can travel while encouraging responsible exploration of Abu Dhabi’s marine landscape.
His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our ancestors were sailors, and the sun, sand, and sea have always been central to Abu Dhabi’s identity. With the launch of the Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide, we are inviting sea and water enthusiasts to experience the beauty of our waters while equipping them with the knowledge to explore safely and responsibly. In doing so, we honour our maritime heritage in an authentic and sustainable way. The guide strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading maritime tourism destination while supporting Tourism Strategy 2030 through the expansion of nature-based, outdoor, and coastal visitor experiences.”
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy
The new platform supports the ambitions of Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually by 2030, create 178,000 new tourism-sector jobs, and raise tourism’s contribution to the emirate’s economy to AED90 billion.
By directing attention towards lesser-known destinations and expanding access to outdoor and nature-based experiences, the guide supports the strategy’s objective of diversifying Abu Dhabi’s visitor offering. It is also intended to encourage longer stays and repeat visits while strengthening the emirate’s positioning as a year-round destination.
DCT Abu Dhabi developed the guide in collaboration with government and industry partners, including the Department of Government Enablement, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Economic Development, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Maritime.
Their combined expertise contributed to a resource focused on safe, sustainable, and enjoyable exploration of Abu Dhabi’s marine environment, while supporting the longer-term development of maritime tourism across the emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide is available through the Experience Abu Dhabi website under Plan Your Trip / Islands and Water Sports Guide.
