Boasting a beautiful, year-round summer, Abu Dhabi has more than 200 hundred islands, along with untouched coast lines of pristine white beaches and sparse desert vegetation. After culture buffs are done with the wide array of activities within the city proper, such as visiting religious monuments, historic buildings and the beautifully maintained city parks, the best way to get adventurous in this spirited country is to indulge in the delightful range of water sports it has in store.
Among the favoured sports in Abu Dhabi are water skiing and surfing. Scuba diving and snorkelling are also very popular in this stunning Persian Gulf region. The temperature of the water is invitingly warm year around. There is a fascinating array of flora and fauna to be experienced on the coasts of this Arabian city. Visitors to the area can enjoy a few quiet days surfing and kayaking to their hearts’ content, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, if one is on the lookout for more adventurous water activity then one is in for a treat here, in this amazing city. Power boat racing is a popular sport that attracts many sport lovers in May.
Abu Dhabi takes its aquatic history quite seriously and it is considered to be very much a part of the city’s maritime heritage. There are several festivals held annually to cement Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global water sport icon. The Al Gharbia Water Sports Festival draws leading participants from all over the world to partake in professional competitions such as surf ski sailing, kite boarding, parasailing, beach football, beach volleyball and kite surfing, among others. In addition, the event also features a water sports photography competition, night camp activities and music concerts, all of which are greatly enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. If visitors to this provocative Arabian locale are seeking the perfect holiday where they get to explore age-old history, discover legendary islands, marvel at the rugged yet natural perfection of the gulf region and participate in a thrilling selection of water sports, the Abu Dhabi experience is just right.
When guests seek fine accommodation in the city, all Abu Dhabi Beach hotels are well-geared to accommodate the vast number of people flocking to the coastal areas to enjoy the exciting water sports and various beach activities. One possible Abu Dhabi Resort that has been designed to captivate travellers with gorgeous views of the Arabian Gulf is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+