Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide Launched at ATM 2026

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the Abu Dhabi Islands and Water Sports Guide, a digital platform showcasing more than 200 islands and a broad programme of maritime activities. Unveiled during the emirate’s participation at Arabian Travel Market 2026, the platform combines curated itineraries, activity recommendations, operator listings, details on marine protected areas, an interactive map and coastal guidance to make water-based visits more accessible and responsible.

"The emirate's ancestors were sailors and the sun, sand and sea have always been central to Abu Dhabi's identity," said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi. "With the launch of the guide, sea and water enthusiasts are being invited to experience the beauty of the waters while being equipped with the knowledge to explore safely and responsibly." He added that the initiative "honours Abu Dhabi's maritime heritage in an authentic and sustainable manner" and that it "strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as a leading maritime tourism destination and supports Tourism Strategy 2030."

The platform is positioned as a single destination for visitors seeking to experience Abu Dhabi from the water. It links users directly with licensed operators and offers practical information across a range of activities — from sailing and island-hopping to kayaking through mangrove ecosystems and exploring coastal environments. The guide also categorises islands into several status types — highly recommended, accessible, limited access, marine protected area, privately owned or no visitor access — to help visitors plan responsibly and understand the ecological and legal status of each site.

Key features

• Coverage of 200+ islands across Abu Dhabi’s coastline and waters
• Curated itineraries and activity recommendations (sailing, island-hopping, kayaking, nature-based experiences)
• Listings of licensed operators and direct booking guidance
• Interactive map and essential coastal safety and access guidance
• Classification of islands by access and conservation status, including marine protected areas

Officials frame the guide as directly supporting Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030. The strategy targets 39.3 million annual visitors by 2030, the creation of 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector and lifting tourism’s contribution to the emirate’s economy to AED90 billion (about $24.5 billion). By highlighting lesser-known destinations and expanding access to nature-based and outdoor coastal experiences, the guide aims to encourage longer stays, repeat visitation and a broadened visitor offering year-round.

The move reflects a combined focus on visitor experience and resource stewardship: making maritime leisure easier to find and book while providing clear classifications and coastal guidance intended to protect sensitive habitats. By consolidating operator information and regulatory guidance in one digital hub, DCT Abu Dhabi seeks to simplify planning for tourists and hobbyists and to channel demand toward licensed, sustainable activity providers.

Looking ahead, the guide is expected to play a role in diversifying Abu Dhabi’s tourism product mix and supporting the emirate’s ambition to expand nature-based and outdoor visitor experiences. If adoption grows among tourists and operators, the platform could become a core tool for managing visitor flows around sensitive marine areas while helping Abu Dhabi reach its 2030 tourism and economic targets.