The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi has released a dedicated digital guide covering the emirate’s more than 200 islands and its wider maritime leisure offering, consolidating operator listings, interactive maps, curated itineraries and marine protected area guidance into a single platform.
The Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide, launched to coincide with DCT Abu Dhabi’s presence at Arabian Travel Market 2026, covers activities ranging from sailing and island-hopping to kayaking through mangrove ecosystems.
A key feature is an island classification system that categorises destinations as highly recommended, accessible, limited access, marine protected area, privately owned or restricted, helping users plan visits responsibly.
“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 a way that is authentic and sustainable. 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,” Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi said in a statement.
The guide was developed with several government bodies, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Maritime.
DCT Abu Dhabi said the platform supports Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million annual visitors, 178,000 new tourism-sector jobs and AED90 billion in tourism’s contribution to the emirate’s economy by the end of the decade.
The guide is available through the Experience Abu Dhabi website under the Plan Your Trip section.
