Living on the edge! Try these extreme activities in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is a popular tourist destination in the UAE. While you can always indulge in regular fun activities in the capital city, there are multiple opportunities for thrilling adventures if you want to elevate the fun quotient. From dune bashing to sky diving, there are a number of extreme activities in Abu Dhabi to inspire you to some action! Let’s take a look at them.
AQUATIC EXTREME ACTIVITIES IN ABU DHABI
WAKEBOARDING
Looking for a fun-filled escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Try wakeboarding in Abu Dhabi.
Many watersports companies offer an exciting wakeboarding experience in the emirate. The most popular of them are Wake Evolution and Al Forsan International Sports Resort. Wake Evolution offers you a chance to jump, twist and turn in the waters on a board at a speed of 25 mph, whereas Al Forsan International Sports Resort gives you the taste of a wakeboarding cable ski park. The park has a cable structure that pulls you over artificial lakes on a wakeboard at a speed of 35kph.
- Price per person:
- AED 300 (30 minutes), AED 550 (1 hour), private coaching prices vary (Wake Evolution)
- From AED 137 (Al Forsan International Sports Resort)
- Location: Eastern Mangroves Marina (Wake Evolution)| Khalifa City A (Al Forsan International Sports Resort)
- Timings:
- Wake Evolution: Call them to know
- Al Forsan International Sports Resort: 02:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Fri-Sat: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-50-306-5612 (Wake Evolution) | +971-800-9900 (Al Forsan International Sports Resort)
FREEDIVING
Love pushing your limits? Consider learning freediving, one of the UAE’s traditional sports, with Freediving UAE. This extreme sport allows you to dive to the depths of a water body unaided by any rebreathing apparatus.
With Freediving UAE, you can sign up for introductory (AIDA Level 1, Molchanovs Wave 1), foundation (AIDA Level 2), intermediate (AIDA Level 3, Molchanovs Wave 2) and advanced courses (AIDA Level 4).
While they’re primarily based in Dubai, they offer courses in Abu Dhabi as well. You can call them to know further details.
- Price: From AED 500 per person
- Location: Call them to know
- Contact: +971-56-976-1000
KAYAKING
Ever wondered what would it be like to venture into the world of mangroves? Find it out aboard a kayak as you paddle your way through them. There are several places for kayaking in Abu Dhabi, including Louvre Museum.
Sea Hawk offers four different types of tours at the museum, including regular, sunrise and full moon kayaking experiences. Adults, as well as kids aged between 6 and 12 years old, can experience this adventure.
- Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
- Price: From AED 126 per person
- Timings:
- Kayaking around the Museum: Tue-Sun: 05:00 am – 07:30 am (Morning), 05:00 pm – 06:30 pm, 08:00 pm (Evening)
- Kayaking Tours for Juniors: Sat-Sun: 07:30 am
- Sunrise Kayaking: 05:00 am daily except Mondays
- Full moon Kayaking: 07:30 pm and 09:00 pm
- Contact: +971-600-56-55-66
ON-GROUND ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES IN ABU DHABI
SANDBOARDING
If you are a landlocked adrenaline jockey, you should try sandboarding in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Desert Safari offers an amazing package for those interested in carving their way through sand dunes.
Their desert sandboarding package offers a 4-hour adventure — inclusive of a free pick and drop service, local dresses for men and women, soft drinks, dune bashing and camel riding. There is also an option for quad biking in addition to sandboarding.
- Price: From AED 450 per person
- Timings: 08:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Contact: +971-50-472-8001
INDOOR SKYDIVING
If you’ve always wanted to skydive but felt like you didn’t have what it takes to jump out of a plane, visit CLYMB Abu Dhabi. The place is home to the “world’s largest indoor skydiving chamber” that makes you soar at a record-breaking height of 104 ft!
There are multiple packages to avail at CLYMB. You can sign up for First Time Flyer Experience or Pro Flyers Experience. The former offers two flights, whereas the latter offers ten flights valid across nine months. The packages also include pre-flight training, flight gear rental, one-on-one discussion with a flight instructor as well as a flying certificate (for beginners).
Anybody aged three years old and above can avail these packages. CYLMB also has a Junior Flying Club for kids who want to hone their flying skills under the guidance of expert coaches.
- Price: From AED 235 per person
- Location: Yas Mall, CYLMB Abu Dhabi
- Timings: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-600-511-115
HOPPING ABOARD FORMULA ROSSA AT FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI
Not everyone gets the opportunity to sit behind the steering wheel of a high-performance formula one race car. However, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi offers the next best thing — the world’s fastest roller coaster. The Formula Rossa is the closest you can get to a true F1 experience, without actually sitting in one!
The ride reaches speeds up to 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds! If you are ever in Abu Dhabi and feel a need for speed, head on over to Ferrari World in Yas Island and ride the Rossa, you won’t regret it!
Please note that the minimum height required to experience this ride is 140 cm.
- Price: From AED 310 per person (Single-day)
- Location: Yas Island
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-600-511-115
EXPERIENCING A FAST ROLLER COASTER RIDE AT WARNER WORLD BROS. ABU DHABI
Another one of the fastest roller-coaster rides in the UAE is Tom and Jerry Swiss Cheese Spin. Join the madcap duo as they create fun mayhem aboard a Cheese Spin car at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The ride moves through a UV-lit space, hurtling you around a series of accelerated twists and turns!
Please note that the minimum height required to experience this ride is 110 cm.
- Price: From AED 310 per person (Single-day)
- Location: Yas Island
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-600-511-115
BRINGING YOUR A-GAME TO YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
Put your racing skills to the test at Yas Marina Circuit! One of the most epic motorsports destinations in Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit consists of a one-kilometre track that allows you to experience the thrill of the go-kart race track.
Their karting sessions are available in three categories: kids, juniors and adults. Those aged between 5 and 7 years old can enjoy a 10-minute session in Bambino karts, whereas those aged 8 or above can enjoy a 12-minute session in a junior kart. You must wear training shoes to experience this adventure at Yas Marina Circuit.
The place also launches discounted deals and offers from time to time so keep an eye out for such announcements on their website.
- Price*:
- Adult: From AED 120 per person
- Junior: From AED 80 per person
- Kids: From AED 55 per person (Subject to change based on season, offer or category type)
- Location: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
- Timings: Call them to know
- Contact:+971-2-497-9000
* Prices given above are exclusive for summers. You can contact them to know the prices for other seasons.
AERIAL EXTREME ACTIVITIES IN ABU DHABI
SKYDIVING
Experience Abu Dhabi like never before! Skydive Abu Dhabi brings you a memorable skydiving adventure that you’d cherish for the rest of your life. While first-timers can opt for tandem skydiving, experts can book a free diving experience. For those who want to learn how to manoeuvre the sky like a pro, skydiving courses are also offered at Skydive Abu Dhabi.
Please note:
- You must be 18 years old and have a valid ID to experience tandem skydiving at Skydive Abu Dhabi.
- The maximum weight for tandem jumpers is 100 kg for men and 85 kg for women.
- Experienced jumpers must show their USPA membership, proof of licence, an in-date packing card and a signed log book.
- Price: From AED 60 per person
- Location: Ext 381, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Street
- Timings: Call them to know
- Contact: +971-50-313-3192
ROOF WALKING AND ZIP LINING AT FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI
Get up close to the world’s most iconic Ferrari logo with a 90-minute roof walking experience. You can also zip line for thirty minutes to bask in the beautiful sights of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. These are the two newest experiences at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Either try one of these or go for the combo to double the fun!
- Price: From AED 310 per person (Single-day)
- Location: Yas Island
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-600-511-115
SIGHTSEEING WITH HELICOPTER TOURS
Want to experience the magnificence of Abu Dhabi from above? Book a helicopter tour with top tour companies like Abu Dhabi Helicopter Tour or Sea Wings and experience the majestic beauty of the city from a bird’s eye view! While Abu Dhabi Helicopter Tour offers a regular trip, Sea Wings offers a seaplane experience in the city.
Take in views of all the popular tourist places in the capital, like Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque via these tours. Sea Wings also offers private tours around Abu Dhabi.
- Price: Contact Abu Dhabi Helicopter Tour and Sea Wings for a complete breakdown of prices
- Contact: abudhabirentals@gmail.com (Abu Dhabi Helicopter Tour) | +971-2-564-6303 (Sea Wings)
Looking for more options? Here is a list of more adventurous things to do in Abu Dhabi.
- Boat Tours (AED 450 per hour) at Jalboot
- Rafting at Wadi Adventure, Al Ain
- Driving to the top of Jebel Hafeet
FAQs
WHAT ARE THE MOST EXCITING THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI?
Abu Dhabi is a haven for people of all ages, interests and pursuits. From thrilling adventures like dune bashing and rock climbing to cultural activities, there are many things to do in Abu Dhabi.
ARE THERE ANY FREE THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI?
Not just one, many! The most popular free things to do in Abu Dhabi include visiting the gorgeous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, exploring the Liwa Oasis, and spending the day at the Corniche among others.
That brings an end to our list of the best extreme activities in Abu Dhabi. As you can see, there are many extreme things to do in Abu Dhabi so push yourself beyond your limits and indulge in some adrenaline-pumping fun.
Besides these activities, try scuba diving in Abu Dhabi. Those who don’t want to compromise on fun must check out extreme activities in Dubai as well.