Cool Things to Do in Umm Al Quwain, a Hidden Gem in the UAE

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Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) is one of my favorite UAE travel destinations to visit when I’m craving a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of life in Dubai. All it takes is a 1-hour drive for me to be whisked away to blissfully uncrowded beaches, flamingo-filled mangroves, and laid-back beach clubs – among the many other unique things to do in Umm Al Quwain.

If you’re planning a trip to this under-the-radar emirate and you’re wondering what exactly there is to do there, I’ve got you covered with my favorite places to visit in Umm Al Quwain. From sipping sundowners at Lumi Beach to kayaking through natural mangroves at Mangrove Beach and going bird-watching on Siniya Island, UAQ is the perfect city break destination!

Fun Things to Do in Umm Al Quwain

Soak Up the Sun at Umm Al Quwain Beach

Umm Al Quwain Beach is an absolute stunner, which is why I’m always surprised at how uncrowded and undeveloped this place is – although I imagine it won’t be like this for long!

One of the very top Umm Al Quwain attractions, Umm Al Quwain Beach is a long and lovely stretch of sand lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters and gentle waves. This place is very dog-friendly, so bring your furry friend, and don’t be surprised if you see a few other pups playing in the water while you’re there.

In terms of amenities, there’s not too much going on at Umm Al Quwain Beach, so bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch if you think you’re going to be there for a while.

If you don’t feel like “roughing it” or you’re craving some super mellow beach club vibes, you can also pay a day rate to hang out at Kitesurf Beach Center or Lumi Beach (more on both of these places below), which are right next to each other on Umm Al Quwain Beach.

Go Kayaking Through UAQ’s Mangroves

When it comes to things to do in Umm Al Quwain that really get you out in nature, going kayaking in this emirate’s spectacular natural mangroves has to be number one!

When I first visited UAQ, I was unsure of where to rent kayaks, but now that I’ve gotten the lay of the land, it’s actually quite easy to rent them or even join a guided tour through the mangroves if you’d like.

You can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at Casa MIKOKO at Mangrove Beach. This place is isolated down a long dirt road with an AED 20 entrance fee, but it gives you easy access to the mangroves. You can either rent them by the hour starting at AED 75 or join the 2-hour Kayak Mangrove Tour for AED 160 (adults) and AED 100 (kids).

Another option for a mangrove kayak tour is to book through Kitesurf Beach Center, which is located right on Umm Al Quwain Beach. These tours are also 2 hours and cost AED 160 (adults) and AED 100 (kids). You can also rent kayaks, SUP boards, kitesurf boards, and surfboards from the center or book surfing or kitesurfing lessons through them. Check out all of their activities here.

Have a Beach Day at Kitesurf Beach Center

Speaking of Kitesurf Beach Center, this is actually one of the star Umm Al Quwain attractions for anyone in need of an epic beach day right on Umm Al Quwain Beach.

Much more than just a center, this boho-chic beach club has an excellent restaurant and cafe, a gorgeous stretch of beach lined by loungers and thatched umbrellas, watersport rentals galore, and so much more.  

The entrance fee is AED 75 (adults) and AED 45 (kids aged 4-11) from Monday to Thursday and AED 100 (adults) and AED 75 (kids aged 4-11) from Friday to Saturday. This place is also super pet-friendly and you can bring your furry friends at an added cost of AED 75.

Or for one of the most unique Umm Al Quwain activities, you can even rent a rustic, two-story beach hut or a tent and spend the night right on beautiful Umm Al Quwain Beach!

Visit Mangrove Beach

Mangrove Beach is easily one of the most famous attractions in Umm Al Quwain. If you’ve never been here, it is a bit tricky to find. You will need to drive down a long and bumpy dirt road (no need for a 4×4) and pay an AED 20 entrance fee to enter Mangrove Beach. (Insider tip: Just enter Casa MIKOKO into your Waze or Google Maps app and it’ll lead you to Mangrove Beach.)

But the journey is worth it because there’s absolutely loads to do here. In fact, a lot of people choose to camp out and spend the night at this beach! That being said, if you’re looking for a traditional beach, you’ll probably prefer Umm Al Quwain Beach. But if you’re looking for a gateway to the mangroves, this is the place for you!

You’ll find all sorts of rentals, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, water bikes, and pedal boats on offer, which makes exploring the mangroves a breeze. And if you want to try your hand at a kitesurfing course, you can do that here too.

While you’re here, you should also…

Chill Out at Casa MIKOKO

While you’re at Mangrove Beach, spending some time at Casa MIKOKO is one of the most unique things to do in Umm Al Quwain. What I love about this place is that it’s all about sustainability and responsible tourism, a mission you’ll find evident in both the restaurant and cafe and their five overwater bungalows.

I highly suggest popping in here for a meal or even just a drink. The treehouse-like setting is absolutely magical and made even more beautiful given Casa MIKOKO’s setting in the middle of the mangroves.

Be sure to meander around the wooden walkways (pictured above), which will lead you through the mangroves. The experience will give you a better understanding of this unique ecosystem. And for a truly unique escape, you can even stay in one of their waterfront bungalows and get up close and personal with UAQ’s natural side.

Relax at Lumi Beach

Another option for an epic beach day in UAQ is to spend the day at Lumi Beach. You’ll find this hip beach club right at the Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel on the gorgeous Umm Al Quwain Beach. It makes for a great place to drink, dine, and relax at the beach.

Day passes cost AED 100 (adults), AED 50 (children 2-12), and AED 50 per dog from Monday to Friday, with the price being fully redeemable on food and beverages from the international bar and restaurant. (Do note that the fee for passes is not redeemable on food and drinks on Saturdays and Sundays.)

There are also weekly deals at Lumi Beach, like BOGO beers on Mondays, Ladies’ Day on Thursdays with free entrance until 3pm and huge discounts on everything from massages to drinks, and live DJ sets on Friday evenings. If you’re looking for chilled-out things to do in Umm Al Quwain, spending some time at Lumi Beach is always a good idea!

Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel also happens to be one of the most popular hotels in Umm Al Quwain!

Go Glamping on Siniya Island

If you’ve always dreamed of glamping on a beach, spending the night at Siniya Island Leisure Campground is one of the most unique things to do in Umm Al Quwain. I’ve heard rumblings that this island will soon be taken over by a large resort, so take advantage of this experience while you still can!

To reach this “campground” you’ll have to take a quick boat ride from the mainland and a short ride in a 4×4. Once you’re there, you’ll be assigned one of the eight luxury domes, which are all outfitted with comfy beds, plush bathrobes, and huge windows offering nature views during the day and stargazing at night.

One of the perks of staying on the island is that you’ll have direct access to a 90-square-kilometer nature reserve that’s home to deer, Socotra cormorants, migrating flamingos, and more. Plus, you can embark on kayaking excursions, go on fishing trips, do all manner of on-site sports and games, or just go for a dip in the ocean whenever you’d like!

Step Back in Time in Umm Al Quwain Museum

For Umm Al Quwain activities that give you a sense of what life was like in the emirate back in the day, a visit to the Umm Al Quwain Museum is an absolute must.

The museum is actually housed in the 18th-century Al-Ali Fort, which is the oldest structure in the emirate and was once home to the royal family. It has now been transformed into a small museum that tells the story of the royal family and the history of the emirate through documents, artifacts, and other relics.

The museum is small, but it’s well worth visiting to gain more insight into UAQ and to check out this historic fort.

Where to Stay in Umm Al Quwain

Whenever I visit Umm Al Quwain, I always stay at Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain. In my opinion, Vida is the best boutique resort in the emirate. Everything you could possibly need is right on-site, meaning you don’t have to actually leave the hotel if you don’t want to!

You can spend your vacation lounging around the spectacular infinity pool, going for a swim at the private mangrove beach, doing all manner of water sports, getting massages at the spa, catching up with emails in the co-working spaces, and even working out in the gym if you’re feeling motivated. Vida also has two all-day restaurants, a lively pool bar, and a rooftop bar and restaurant with awesome ocean and sunset views.

The rooms here are my favorite things. They smell so good and have the comfiest beds, as well as nice touches like smart TVs, refillable water bottles, and Grown Alchemist bath amenities. You can even bring your furry friend along because this place is very pet-friendly!

That’s it! My guide to all the things to do in Umm Al Quwain during your next getaway. Let me know if you have questions in the comments below.