Unspecified/General

On the small coastal Al Jubail Island in the central Abu Dhabi region between the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Jubail Mangrove Park is the largest preserved mangrove ecosystem accessible to the public in the United Arab Emirates and one of the most ecologically significant coastal habitat preserves in the broader Persian Gulf region. The 2-square-kilometre preserve opened to the public in December 2019 as part of the broader Jubail Island sustainable-development programme, providing the broader Abu Dhabi region with a major dedicated mangrove-ecosystem visitor destination. The preserve protects an extensive natural Avicennia marina (grey mangrove) forest that has thrived along the broader Abu Dhabi coastline for thousands of years. The mangrove ecosystem represents one of the most ecologically productive coastal habitats anywhere on the planet, with the dense mangrove root system providing critical breeding grounds for hundreds of species of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and birds. The preserve's visitor infrastructure is organised around a substantial 2-kilometre raised boardwalk system that winds through the principal mangrove sections without disturbing the underlying ecosystem. The dramatic 1-metre-elevated boardwalk passes directly over the mangrove root canopy at low tide and beneath the principal canopy branches at high tide, providing visitors with continuously changing perspectives on the broader mangrove ecosystem throughout the tidal cycle. The boardwalk includes more than 30 individual interpretive stations covering different aspects of the broader mangrove ecology. Topics covered include the broader physiology of mangrove trees (their unique ability to filter salt water through specialised root and leaf adaptations), the broader ecology of the mangrove root community (with extensive coverage of the various fish, crustacean and mollusc species that depend on the broader habitat), the broader migratory bird populations that visit the preserve during the cooler winter months and the broader carbon-sequestration role of mangrove ecosystems in the global climate system. The preserve also offers several specialised guided activities including the popular Sunset Kayak Tour through the broader mangrove canopy, several guided birdwatching walks during the cooler winter months and several youth education programmes focused on the broader mangrove ecology and conservation themes. The preserve operates daily during the cooler October-through-April season with reduced operating hours during the hotter summer months.

Type: Outdoors

Address: Al Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Telephone: 02-555-7727

Website: jubailisland.ae/explore/jubail-mangrove-park

Opening Date: 01/12/2019