Abu Dhabi may be known for its sand, skyscrapers and museums, but this desert capital also plays hard. Thrill-seekers can skydive at 4,000 metres, surf record-breaking man-made waves, ride raging rapids in a raft, and zoom at Ferrari speeds – all before brunch – in this adventure playground.
It's not all man-made thrills either. Desert dunes provide a sandy playground for 4x4s and sandboarding and expert cavers can descend up to 150 metres into Al Ain’s subterranean spaces. These are our favourite ways to live life to the extreme during your next visit to Abu Dhabi.
1. Jump out of a plane
Leap into the air at 4,000 metres and plummet some 200 km/h during a 60-second free-fall, before peacefully gliding back to Earth with a parachute with Skydive Abu Dhabi. Don’t fear, there’s no chance of hitting a skyscraper, the vast desert landing zone is huge and it’s actually quite calming on the glide into landing. Jumps run October to May to avoid the scorching desert heat in summer. Early mornings are best for calm air.
2. Explore the wilds of Jebel Hafeet
The limestone caves at Jebel Hafeet Desert Park offer a rare chance to see some of the region’s most impressive geological formations. Passages descend 150 metres in places, and while it’s possible to explore the entrance and areas of the cave solo, it’s advisable to go with knowledgeable cavers or as part of a tour. More experienced cavers can rappel into underground halls, squeeze through its 450 metres of tight tunnels, home to stalactites, and see a four-metre wide chamber dubbed the Crystal Ballroom. Temperatures dip to 15 °C inside. Guided trips through Jebel Hafeet are usually three-hours and include trekking in rugged desert – a reasonable level of fitness is required.
3. Surf the world’s longest man made wave
Abu Dhabi was never known as a surfing destination, but all that changed in 2024 when the longest man-made wave opened inside a giant 75,000-sq-m pool. Surf Abu Dhabi, on Hudayriyat Island, was designed by multiple-record holding Kelly Slater, but has wave choices for every level of experience. The beginner Cocoa Beach, the intermediate Point Break, and the pro Kelly’s Wave, a perfectly peeling barrel, with waves up to three metres high. Sessions are 90 minutes and include jet-ski assisted instruction. Relax post-surf at beach clubs Ilios or Nalu with drinks and gourmet food.
4. Rocket to top speeds at Formula Rossa
Strap into the Ferrari-red rollercoaster, with its racer car-style seats, put your goggles on, then hold on tight to prepare for the desert wind in your face on the world’s fastest roller coaster. Formula Rossa rockets from 0 to 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds as it races, swoops and curves around a two kilometre elevated steel track. The thrill lasts 92 seconds, but the memory? Forever.
5. Scale 42 metres into the sky
Challenge your inner Spiderman (and your arms), on the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall (a towering 42 metres high) – CLYMB Abu Dhabi pumps up muscles on the daily. The views from the top of the Yas Island wall are vertigo-inducing, but high climbs are safe, thanks to high-tech ropes and belaying systems, or you can hone your skill lower down on a bouldering wall. On the way in, ask for the current fastest climbing time and see if you can beat it.
6. Tackle white knuckle rapids
Paddle in a raft or kayak through more than one kilometre of white knuckle man-made rapids at Al Ain Adventure. It’s the world’s longest man-made whitewater channel, graded III–IV (the higher the grade, the more ferocious the river. Try not to fall out of your big yellow boat as you boulder down the course, paddling as hard as you can to the instructions of your guide, with five other daredevils. It’s a truly oar-some experience (sorry…).
7. Go dune bashing in the Liwa Desert
Modern camels of the desert come with a big engine and the power of around 200 horses. In a Jeep or 4x4 you can zoom up 300 metre dunes at steep 45° angles in Abu Dhabi’s vast 650,000-sq-km Empty Quarter, with the chance to see gazelles, birds of prey and wild camels. Choose a day trip or stay in a desert camp under the stars. Ask your guide to pack a sandboard, so you can try the Gulf’s answer to snowboarding – sliding down steep dunes.
8. Ride a tornado waterslide
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi has dozens of rides and slides, but Dawwama is a 238-metre long, six-person tornado water slide that drops into a giant tube and zooms through chutes into a massive bowl. Nearby Bubble’s Barrel is a flowboarder’s dream, with the chance to ride world’s biggest surf-able sheet of water, shooting thousands of litres of at riders who can carve, flip and get barrelled, once they’ve mastered the art of flowriding.
9. Race at the region's largest go-karting track
Al Ain Sportplex’s Al Ain Raceway has the region’s largest go-karting circuit with 1.6km of fully floodlit track with hairpin turns and karts that go to top speeds of 110 km/h. Public open kart races get pretty competitive, with riders racing in 10 minute sessions, followed by a 15 minute pre-final race and then an ultimate final to determine who gets to go on the podium. Engines rev even louder every December during the biggest annual event on the global karting calendar – the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.
10. Zoom around Abu Dhabi’s coastline on a jet ski
The scooters of the sea offer an exhilarating, speed-filled way to explore the water around the UAE capital. Rev the engine and off you go across the open water, slicing through the waves. Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to start performing spins. Just make sure you stick to local aviation laws (stay more than 60m away from beach shorelines, designated swimming areas and maritime structures, and only go 6 knots when coming into marinas), as fines can be hefty.
