Abu Dhabi Activities: Yas, Louvre, Falcons

October 18, 2026

Travel advisory: Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE have been caught up in the 2026 conflict involving Iran and the United States. Iran fired missiles and drones at the UAE from 28 February, and debris from intercepted missiles fell on parts of Abu Dhabi. The UK FCDO says strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region have continued since 8 July. The FCDO does not advise against travel to the UAE, while the US State Department rates it Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”. Attractions and the airport are open, but plans can change quickly. If your phone sounds a UAE emergency alert, go indoors and stay away from windows until the all-clear, and never film or post strikes or interceptions, which is illegal. Read the current UK FCDO advice and US State Department advisory before you book and again before you fly. Everything below describes a normal visit, for when it is calm.

Abu Dhabi is a car-and-taxi city built on islands, so most activities sit in separate districts and are best grouped by area. Prices are in UAE dirhams (AED, pegged at about 3.67 to the US dollar), and many figures below are approximate, so confirm them on the operator’s own page before you go. From May to September, highs of 40 to 46 degrees C with high humidity make midday outdoor plans a heat risk. Choose dawn, dusk or indoor attractions in those months. November to March is the comfortable season.

Indoor skydiving and climbing at CLYMB

CLYMB on Yas Island holds Guinness records for the largest indoor skydiving tunnel, 10 m across and 54.6 m tall, and for the tallest indoor climbing wall, The SUMMYT at 42.16 m. It opened in November 2019. Flights and climbs are sold online and prices are not published on the site, so check CLYMB Abu Dhabi for current rates.

Kayaking under the Louvre dome

Louvre Abu Dhabi lists a guided 60-minute kayak paddle beneath its dome, running Tuesday to Sunday. Resellers quote about AED 126. The museum’s official page shows the current schedule.

Mangrove boardwalk and kayaking at Jubail

Jubail Mangrove Park has an elevated boardwalk of roughly 2 km and guided kayaking. Listings give about AED 15 for an adult boardwalk ticket, with kayaks from about AED 100 to 120 and sunrise or sunset slots near AED 120. The park does not publish prices itself, so check with Jubail Island before you travel.

Free evening sessions on the F1 track

TrainYAS at Yas Marina Circuit offers free weekly fitness sessions for walkers, runners and cyclists on the Formula 1 track, listed as Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 10pm. You need to register, and the track can be reserved at short notice, so check the current schedule on the Yas Marina Circuit page .

Desert safari

Desert safaris run in areas such as Al Khatim and Sweihan. A shared evening safari costs roughly AED 240 to 360 per adult, and a private vehicle for up to six runs about AED 1,400 to 1,650. Use a licensed operator with a properly equipped 4x4, travel in convoy with other vehicles, carry water and check that your travel insurance covers the activity. Operators advise that dune driving is unsuitable in pregnancy, with neck or back problems, and for young infants. Compare options through desert safari listings .

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The Falcon Hospital on Sweihan Road, the first public falcon hospital in the UAE, opened on 3 October 1999. Its two-hour guided tour is listed at about AED 170 for adults. Published start times are Monday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm, and Friday and Sunday at 10am, with none listed for Saturday. Book ahead on the Falcon Hospital site .

Local rules to respect

Drinking alcohol is legal only in licensed venues, and being drunk in a public place is an offence. Do not photograph people without asking, or government and military sites. Kissing in public can lead to arrest, so keep affection private.