Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain – All You Should Know

The United Arab Emirates is a nation that has put equal importance on technology and the conservation and promotion of its natural assets. From the Jebel Jais Mountains to the Mangrove Park, the UAE has numerous spots for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Today, we will talk about one such beautiful place: Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain. Tourists worldwide flock to this location to view the beautiful mangrove trees. The beach was recently opened to the public and has hundreds of restaurants and cafes offering breathtaking views of the mangroves and the beach.

The Mangrove Beach is a visual delight and a must-visit if you want to spend some quiet time with your family or friends. So let’s see what this beautiful destination has to offer.

Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain: An Overview

The Mangrove Beach is located at Khor Al Yifrah in Umm Al Quwain. It is the first project in the United Arab Emirates that has been initiated to promote ecotourism and the importance of mangroves for our ecosystem.

The UAE has around 60 million mangrove forests covering 184 square kilometers, and together, these mangroves use up to 45,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The Mangrove Beach is just a tiny part of this massive forest.

In addition to purifying the air, the forest protects the coast from storms and rising sea levels. They are also home to hundreds of aquatic animals, birds, and plants.

Fun activities you can do at Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain

Mangrove Beach has grown in popularity among tourists and locals since its opening in early 2020. Here is the list of the exciting activities that you can do here:

1. Explore the Forest

If you are a nature lover and want to blend in with nature, then there is no better place in the UAE than Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain. The green mangrove forest around the beach is just irresistible.

Here you will also come across several species of aquatic animals, plants, and terrestrial animals. In short, the lush green forest is a treat for your eyes.

In the early morning, you can also take a stroll with your family or loved ones. As it is less crowded in the morning, you can walk peacefully amongst nature and listen to the sound of exotic birds and waves crashing on the beach.

2. Camping

The beach and the forest area are perfect camping spots. The low waves and the soft sand beneath will offer the ultimate comfort and peace.

3. Picnic Spot

We all enjoy a nice little picnic on the beach, right? Well, at the Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain, you can enjoy the same kind of enjoyment away from the city’s noise.

Just like any other coastal place, the temperature at night gets really low; therefore, you must carry blankets, dry food, and a first aid kit. There is a particular spot on the beach for a barbecue where you can rent a grill or directly buy barbecued meat from the vendors.

At night, neon lights and solar-powered street lights light up the beach. Here, you can also enjoy other activities like astronomy and stargazing. The place also has a community area, a couple of saloons, cafes, and a barbershop.

4. Water Sports

The beach is also popular due to a variety of water sports activities. Once you are near the beach, do not miss out on water sports, especially kayaking.

Apart from that, with the UAQ marine membership, you can also enjoy other water adventure sports like surfing, a banana boat ride, knee boarding, windsurfing, wakeboarding, SUP, water skiing, canoeing, etc.

5. Visit Siniya Island

Here you can also visit the oldest island in the UAE, Siniya Island. This eight-kilometer-long green island offers breathtaking views, along with an insight into the history of the Emirates and its natural beauty.

The early residents of Umm Al Quwain first arrived here 200 years ago before moving to the mainland. The Siniya Islands are well known for their flora and fauna, mangroves, ghaf trees, desert, etc. The island has 65 archaeological sites, including prehistoric towers, structural remains of palaces, huts, and tombs.

If you are lucky, you can spot exotic wild animals and birds like the Arabian gazelle or the Socotra cormorant.

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Things to need to know before visiting Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain

1. Most tourists and locals visit the beach during the summer months to enjoy the cool breeze. However, before visiting Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain, there are a few things that you must know about the place.
2. Dust storms are pretty common and can occur suddenly without any warning. Therefore, we recommend that you be completely prepared. If you see a dust storm coming, run away immediate.
3. Next, before heading down to the beach, make sure you learn about the climate. The beach can be quite hot during the day, so ensure you carry enough water and apply sunscreen. Also, remember to bring a cloth to sit on, as the sand can get pretty hot.
4. The Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain is a public beach, and therefore there are no lifeguards. So your safety is in your own hands. You have to take care of yourself and your personal stuff. Do not leave your belongings here and there while you are swimming.

How to Reach Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain?

While traveling to Mangrove Beach, you can avail of certain travel options based on where you are coming from. You can choose from a car, a bus, or a taxi.

1. From Dubai

The mangrove beach is around 45 to 55 minutes’ driving distance from Dubai. You can take a bus that will take you directly to the beach from the Deira Bus station. Once you get down, you have to get a taxi to reach further inside the mangrove beach, and the journey will cost around 10 AED.

2. From Sharjah

The Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain is only 32 km away from Sharjah, and since there is no direct bus route, you must first reach Dubai and then take a bus.

3. From Abu Dhabi

There is no direct bus service from Abu Dhabi to Mangrove Beach. You can book a taxi, which will take around 2 hours to reach, or you can reach Dubai and then take a bus from the bus stop.

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What facilities are available at Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain?

1. There is a prayer room.
2. A bathroom facility is available.
3. Car parking is available
4. There is a huge kids’ playground.
5. A bridge connects the beach and is an excellent spot for photography.
6. You can either carry food with you or buy it directly from restaurants and cafes.

The Mangrove Beach, Umm Al Quwain is truly a beautiful place to relax and blend in with nature. Do not forget to try out water sports and kayaking to explore the mangrove forests. You can also try the local food, but remember to drink plenty of water and bring sunscreen.

Image Credit: gulfnews.com