Below Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain · Abu Dhabi

Wadi Adventure

A purpose-built adventure park at the foot of Jebel Hafeet with the region's first man-made surf pool, three artificial white water rafting and kayaking channels, an airpark with a zipline and climbing wall, and a drop pool. Improbable, and one of the more genuinely unusual things in the country.

Why go

Surf pool with waves up to around 3 m, and lessons
Over a kilometre of artificial white water for rafting and kayaking
Zipline, climbing wall and obstacle course
Quieter and cheaper than the Dubai water parks

The water

The surf pool generates sets up to around three metres, big enough that it is used for training rather than novelty, with lessons available for complete beginners. The white water channels run over a kilometre of artificial rapids at grades that suit both rafting groups and competitive kayakers, and they are among very few of their kind in the region.

You do not need experience for either. Rafting runs with a guide in the boat and the surf pool sets a beginner session on smaller waves.

The dry side

The airpark holds a zipline, a climbing wall, a giant swing and an obstacle course, and there is a large drop pool for younger children. It is quieter and cheaper than the Dubai parks and the drive from Al Ain is fifteen minutes.

Wadi Adventure, answered

Do you need experience to raft at Wadi Adventure?

No. Rafting runs with a trained guide in the boat and the surf pool sets smaller waves for beginner sessions. Minimum ages apply to each activity.

Is Wadi Adventure worth the drive from Dubai?

As a day on its own, marginally — it is around ninety minutes. Combined with Jebel Hafeet and Green Mubazzarah it makes one of the better full days in the country.