Therefore we have compiled this extensive list of Top Eco-tourism places in the UAE including naturally existing as well as man-made places where you can get close to Nature and create some of the best memories of your UAE stay.

While you plan your next outdoor trip in the UAE, you can also get a copy of our UAE Outdoors Scavenger Hunt E-book. This unique ebook will add some fun games to your outdoor trip and will help you get to know UAE’s biodiversity and nature even better.

UAE’s Natural Wonders

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) launched a multi-phase national project named ‘The UAE’s Natural Wonders’ to promote ecotourism across the seven emirates. Under this project, one of the primary tasks is raising awareness about the country’s 43 nature reserves.

From our numerous outdoors trips over the years around the seven emirates of UAE, we have compiled our own list of UAE’s Natural wonders.

1. Beaches (Free)

In almost any emirate, you can head to beaches as all 7 emirates have coasts. In Dubai our favorite is Kite Beach & JBR beach where there are all the required facilities which you need on a beach day like showers, changing rooms, restaurants. Al Mamzar beach also offers great beach fun but it’s a bit far, closer to Sharjah.

For an offbeat experience, you can also volunteer to release baby turtles on a protected beach in Dubai during the turtle hatching season. Read here our experience of waving bye to sea turtles on the beach.

2. Desert (Through Tour Operator)

Liwa Desert

But if you fancy going on a safari and exploring desert, flora, and fauna Dubai Desert Conservation Renter (DDCR) is a great place. Platinum Heritage tour operator organizes some interesting desert experiences at DDCR like wildlife drive, overnight safari, Bedouin experience. Read here our tried and tested experience with platinum heritage at DDCR. 

If you don’t want to go for any desert safari but still experience desert beauty, there is another way. Just visit desert resorts like Al Maha resort or our favorite Qasr Al Sarab for a stay or even for a brunch. At Qasr Al Sarab, you can enjoy the tallest red dunes near Liwa, Abu Dhabi which are one of the most beautiful sand dunes in UAE.

But don’t think that walking on soft sand is an easy task, especially long walks like this Desert challenge where we took part in a 5 km walk among desert dunes in Abu Dhabi. But if you fall down from the dune, you don’t get hurt, provided there are no rocks around. Especially in Liwa, you can play in the sand, like kids in a ball pit.

One warning, don’t try to drive on your own on sand because you need to know a few techniques like reducing tire pressure, etc, and always keep a shovel in the car which comes in handy if you get stuck in the sand.

3. Wadis & Mountains (Free)

Jebel Jais

If you want to explore UAE’s wadis, you need a map and 4X4. Read here our guide to wadis in UAE. We are not talking about wadi bashing here, as it will harm the wildlife staying there. It is preferable to go there in better weather and remember there is a danger of flash floods. Please don’t live anything back when you return, take your garbage and throw it in the next bin you find.

Jebel Jais, the highest mountain peak in UAE is worth visiting for a beautiful view and to feel the cooler temper, especially in summer.

If you are going in a wadi or any rocky area, better to keep one spare tire if you need it just in case and I highly recommend the explorer guides, totally reliable for finding ways to hidden places.

3. Mangroves & Khors (Free)

Kalba Mangrove

Mangroves and Khors are UAE’s Eco hubs and most important natural features. The most densely bio-diverse places, where you can find many species of sea life, birds, plants, etc. That’s why these places are great bird-watching sites as well. Read here a complete list of UAE’s Khors, Lagoons & Mangrove Forests.

There are also many activities you can do including kayaking. Read here out tried and tested kayaking experience at Abu Dhabi’s Easter mangroves.

If you want to know more about Mangroves and mangrove plantations, read here.

4. Birds (Mostly Free)

Little green bee-eaters

UAE’s location is central on the world map, so here you get to see a lot of migratory birds along with natives. Read more about Birds in UAE. 

You can visit the below-listed places for bird-watching and learn about them.

My most favorite is Wasit Nature Reserve in Sharjah, read here more about it. It is by far the best place bird sanctuary in UAE. You can see birds in captive but natural habitats and learn about birds. They have great educational games for kids too.

Second and most frequented by us for many years is RAS Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai.

The third is the Al Wathaba wetlands in Abu Dhabi. It’s on my list of ‘need to visit places yet. Till then you can just learn about it from their website. Recently a new bird Arabian Eagle Owl is discovered in UAE, read here about this discovery.

5. Wildlife (Nominal Charges)

Critically Endangered Arabian Leopard

Yes, there is native wildlife in the UAE and the Arabian peninsula. Many expatriates and visitors are still unaware of the existence of the UAE’s wildlife. People generally think there is no life in this vast desert. So I think these places should be on the top of things to do in UAE by everyone visiting especially to see and find out more about UAE’s endangered wildlife.

We loved Al Hefaiya Mountain Conservation Center in Kalba, Sharjah (read here). It’s in a beautiful setting on the foothill of the Hajar mountains.

Another great place to know about Arabia’s Wildlife Center in Sharjah

And if you fancy going on wildlife drive not so far from the city at Dubai Desert Conservation Center. Read here.

You can also take your children to Turtle feeding at Mina A’salam for free every Wednesday.

I recommend this read how our actions can help conserve wildlife in the UAE.

Man-made Environment & Nature-conservation efforts in UAE

Creek Park

1. Parks- (Free or less than 10 Dhs each)

There are many fantastic man-made parks around the UAE. In the winter months, you can go to the park throughout the day but in the months like April, May, November when it’s hotter during the day; you can go to parks early in the morning or in the evening.

In Dubai, our favorites are Al Barsha Pond Park, Umm Suqueim Park, Creek Park & Mushrif Park. Mushrif Park is really huge and with a lot of local flora and fauna, great for barbeque and spending the whole day.

In these parks, you can have a picnic, take cycles and ride them. watch birds and plants, collect natural goodies, and see how children get creative playing with it or crafting it.

2. Zoos (Nominal Charges)

I personally have an issue with zoos, as I can’t bear to see wild animals in small cages, but I admit the significance of zoos in making our people and mainly future generations, kids aware of wildlife and showing them how to take care of wild animals and love them.

I am strongly against commercially using animal interaction for tourism purposes. So I am not featuring those examples here under my top Eco Experiences, I don’t think those are good examples of wildlife interaction. But here are some zoos in the UAE, where you can see wildlife where they are treated well.

Al-Ain zoo wildlife Center has the largest collection of wildlife in UAE, the night salaries during summer months are popular. A smaller zoo, Emirates Park Zoo, we visited on my son’s birthday so read here our experience.

Emirates Park Zoo

The Green Planet is another place in the heart of Dubai, where you can give your kids some wildlife experience. Read here about our visit. Green Planet is also active in the conservation of wildlife, recently they gave a home to rescued endangered slow loris  (read here).

3. Aquariums (Charges apply)

There are some educational aquariums in the UAE, where you can learn and teach your children about native marine life. Dubai Aquarium & Underwater zoo in Dubai mall has a great display of many underwater species. But Sharjah Aquarium is our favorite as they have displayed mostly local species. Read here.

4. Lakes (Free)

Al Qudra lakes on the outskirts of Dubai are man-made lakes, but they provide a great habitat for wildlife and birds. Great place to spend a day with family and friends. Read here about wildlife at Al Qudra lakes. But if you are visiting these lakes please remember to clean up your garbage when you leave, I have seen a lot of garbage around the lake last year. There is a great cycling track near Al Qudra lakes so it’s worth taking your bike for a ride there.

5. Farms (Need to take permission)

Dairy Farm

Technically I think traditional farming is not sustainable as the farms use a high amount of desalinated water. Water is precious in the UAE, as quite a lot of energy is used to desalinate seawater. Also, the weather conditions and lack of natural soil make traditional farming even more unsustainable. But there are few organic farms in the UAE, who follow principles of organic farming, use non-GMO seeds, and don’t use chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers.

These are definitely great places to take our kids and teach them how food grows.

Organic Oasis Farm in Dubai is one such farm.

Read here our fabulous experience of picking our own vegetables on Farm 182 in Abu Dhabi.

You can also introduce your kids to farm animals in the UAE. Read here about our education trip to a Dairy farm in Dubai.

(P.S. Few Links are taken from other blogs, where you can read their experiences. Thanks to these UAE mommy bloggers! Tarana, Sand in My Toes; Sandy, Ginger & Scotch;  Tasneem, Thoughts over Chai; Zeyna, Mommy on my mind)