Diving and Snorkelling

The waters of the UAE offer a range of diving and snorkelling to suit all levels of experience. Dive the reefs and spectacular wrecks along the Abu Dhabi/Dubai coasts where there is relatively little tidal movement and currents are few in the shallow Gulf waters. Diving on the East Coast is different again with upwellings from the Indian Ocean encouraging a greater diversity of marine life. Off the coast of Khor Fakkan there are more than ten dive sites within just a few minutes boat ride from the shore. Typically some of the best sites are submerged rocks that have been colonized by soft corals. There is abundant tropical fish life and turtles are commonly sighted. During winter months grey reef sharks are often seen. The diving gets steadily more demanding and more varied as the coast runs northwards. From the ancient town of Dibba it is possible to reach a wealth of deeper dive sites within half an hour’s boat ride. Mountains that plunge directly into the ocean are covered in soft corals to depths of 40 metres and a cave system offers exciting diving for experienced and suitably qualified divers. Nurse and leopard sharks are regularly seen and whale shark sightings are not unknown during the cooler months.
Certified divers must produce their certification card if they wish to avail of diving facilities in the UAE. Equipment and boat hire are available at the dive centres and shops listed below. Many of these are located at hotels, however you can avail of the facilities even if you are not a guest or a club member, but it is advisable to book well in advance. If you are a novice you can earn your PADI qualifications through most of the centres. Courses are usually for 2–5 days duration.

Fishing

The Gulf waters are teeming with fish – charter a boat and fish for marlin, sailfish and barracuda, mackerel, tuna, jack and bonito. September to April is the most productive period, although it is possible to catch sailfish and kingfish in the hot summer months. You can either bring your own gear or use equipment onboard. Fishing charters can be tailored to suit your needs. Prices vary considerably so it is wise to ring around.

Beach or surf fishing is also popular, especially along the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi.

Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi  has four dhows for hire but their fishing equipment is limited. Costs start at Dh150 per hour for the smallest dhow. Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi  has its own well-equipped boat that can be hired by the day or for a shorter trip.
Palms Resort at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi run regular expeditions or special trips can be arranged on request.
 

Caving

There is an extensive cave network in the Hajar Mountains, just beyond Buraimi and also near Al Ain in the Jebel Hafit area. Gaining entrance can be extremely difficult and it is definitely not recommended for inexperienced sightseers. To date, there are no guided tours to the caves.

Desert And Mountain Safaris

Few visitors can resist the allure of the desert, vast sandy plains stretching as far as the eye can see, broken only by windswept dunes. The mountains of the UAE also have their own special attraction, spectacular canyons, steep winding tracks and terraced mountain slopes.

Desert safaris are a regular feature of local tours and can include overnight trips into the dunes with barbecues by bedouin-style tents under starry skies . You can either take the trip in a 4 WD convoy or a more romantic camel caravan. Longer trips take the visitor deeper into desert or mountains in the company of local guides.

You will need a 4WD if you intend to explore on your own. Please be careful and take the obvious precautions such as travelling in convoy, informing someone about your route, taking a mobile phone and/or a GPS, carrying adequate water and sun protection.

You should also purchase one of the invaluable guides to off-road exploring in the Emirates, in particular The Off-Road Explorer, published by Explorer Publishing.

Horse Racing

Horses have always played a central role in traditional life in Arabia, however contemporary horse racing with local jockeys as well as top jockeys from overseas, has taken off dramatically over the past decade. Race meetings are held weekly during the winter at one of the UAE’s four racecourses.

Located in Mushrif, about 10 minutes from the city centre, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club  is one of the region’s most impressive venues for horse racing and showjumping events. In addition to the golf course, the club has two race tracks – one fibre sand and one fibre turf and extensive training facilities, including an equine swimming pool and an indoor show jumping arena. Up to 16 race meeting are held from November to April each year, including The President’s Cup, National Cup Day and Emirates Championship.

The Dubai World Cup the world’s richest horse race, is held in spring each year at the well-appointed Nad al-Sheba racecourse, 15 minutes from Dubai city centre. Other races in the World Cup festival include the UAE Derby, the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians, The Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic, Dubai Golden Shaheen and Godolphin Mile.

Races take place at Nad al-Sheba once or twice a week throughout the November–April season. General admission is free, but the reserved area is accessible only to badge holders and members.

Going to the races in the UAE is as exciting and glamorous as anywhere in the world, nevertheless there is one significant difference. In accordance with the precepts of Islam, gambling is prohibited at all racetracks.
Endurance racing over long distances using purebred Arabian horses that are renowned for their stamina is also a sport in which UAE nationals excel at home and abroad. International races are held at frequent intervals in the UAE throughout the winter months. Check the newspapers for details
 

Camel Racing

This may be your only opportunity to view a unique sport which is an integral part of the heritage of the UAE. Camel racing takes place during the winter season (Thursdays and Friday mornings, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., from October to March) at special tracks around the country. The atmosphere is electric, especially during public holidays when major races for considerable prize money are held. There is no admission fee.

Al Wathba Racetrack is about 45km east of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Racetrack is situated approximately 25km from Al Ain on the Abu Dhabi road. Nad al-Sheba camel track, which has an impressive grandstand in the shape of a billowing bedouin tent, is located on the outskirts of Dubai city behind the Metropolitan Hotel. Sharjah, Ajman, Ra’s al-Khaimah and Fujairah also host camel racing but the camel racetrack, located between Falaj al-Mualla and Umm al-Qaiwain city, is one of the more simple and attractive of UAE racetracks.
 

Football

Football fans need not be deprived of their favourite sport since soccer is also the most popular national sport in the UAE. There are stadiums galore, including Zayed Sports City, the biggest sports complex in the Middle East. Check in local newspapers for fixtures.

Rugby

Abu Dhabi Rugby Football Club participates in both local and regional tournaments. Games are generally played on a grass pitch provided by the Mina Zayed Port Authority.The Six Nations Rugby Tournament is held at the Irish Village, Dubai in April. World-class rugby sevens compete in the Dubai Rugby Sevens in November/December each year for the prestigious Emirates International Trophy. Friendly matches are also played on a regular basis with international teams. Check events magazines and newspapers for details or call Dubai Exiles Rugby Club (04 3331198), near Dubai Country Club.

 

Golf

The UAE is blessed with more than a dozen golf courses; three challenging PGA championship golf courses and five additional courses are open to visitors. Six of the golf courses have lush fairways and exquisitely manicured greens. A couple, being sand courses, offer the unique opportunity to play on ‘ browns’ (oiled sand) instead of greens. All the major golf courses have state-of-the-art clubhouses and a range of additional facilities, including quality pro-shops and dedicated coaching facilities with PGA qualified professionals. All players on the main courses are required to hold an official handicap of 28 or less for men and 36 or less for women. Only soft spikes or rubber-soled shoes are permitted and conventional golfing apparel is mandatory (t-shirts with collars and tailored shorts/trousers). No denims or jeans are permitted on the course or in the clubhouse. Golf clubs and golf carts are available for hire. It is advisable to book time slots well in advance  Bookings from outside the UAE must be by fax giving full details of the booking and credit card number as guarantee.
 

Ice-Skating

In a country where the sun always shines you can enjoy an activity that is more typical of colder climates but bring a sweater!

Abu Dhabi Tourist Club has a large ice-skating rink with TV screens and floodlights.
Dubai has two ice-rinks, Al Nasr Leisureland (04 3371234) and Hyatt Regency Galleria .
Costs are in the region of Dh 5–25 for a session. The higher price range usually includes skate hire. Opening hours can vary according to season and activities so check before you go.

Other Sports in UAE:

Sailing
Shooting/Archery
Tennis
Rock Climbing
Polo
Powerboat Races
Cricket
Car Rallying
Canoeing