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Explore 40 protected areas in United Arab Emirates

Al Dhafra desert protected area of sand sheets and dunes interspersed with shrubs, conserving native dune vegetation and desert wildlife. Also known by the locality name Bida Al Mutawaa.

Al Bida’a

Central Abu Dhabi desert reserve in the Al Dhafra region characterised by sand sheets and dunes dotted with perennial herbs.

Al Dilfaweya

Sand-dune protected area in central Sharjah characterised by Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) woodland and associated desert wildlife around the Jebel Faya palaeolandscape.

Al Faya

Al Dhafra desert reserve protecting the last eastern refuge of the Ghada shrub (Haloxylon persicum), set among white sand dunes east of the Arabian Peninsula.

Al Ghada

Hajar Mountain wildlife sanctuary and conservation centre west of Kalba protecting Arabian leopards, tahr, gazelles and other mountain fauna in a fenced reserve open to visitors.

Al Hefaiyah

Large desert protected area in the Al Dhafra region hosting one of the region's most significant houbara bustard reintroduction programmes. Also a refuge for reintroduced Arabian oryx and the…

Al Houbara

Dubai's largest protected area covering almost 23% of the emirate, and the UAE's first unfenced nature conservation reserve featuring desert ecosystems at Saih Al Salam.

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation

Integrated desert greenbelt reserve in the Al Bataeh region along the Sharjah-Mleiha road, planted with over a million Ghaf and Sidr trees to restore native woodland, grazing land and wildlife…

Al Muntather

One of Abu Dhabi's largest terrestrial protected areas in the Al Dhafra region, featuring sand sheets and dune landscapes important for desert ecosystem conservation.

Al Ramlah

Marine protected area adjacent to Saadiyat Island, home to critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

Al Saadiyat Marine

Marine protected area encompassing Umm Al Quwain's largest island and the surrounding Khor Al Beidah lagoon, with dense grey mangroves, seagrass, and mudflats. The island holds the UAE's largest…

Al Sinniyah Island

Al Dhafra desert reserve spanning over 46 km², serving as a critical breeding ground for the houbara bustard.

Al Tawi

First protected area in Abu Dhabi and first IUCN Green List site in the GCC, hosting up to 4,000 greater flamingos seasonally. Designated a Ramsar site in 2013.

Al Wathba Wetland

Desert conservation reserve in the Al Aweer area on Dubai's eastern border, protecting sand dune and gravel-plain ecosystems that host around 91 species including desert birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation

Large marine protected area in western Abu Dhabi containing coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Home to over 140 bird species, 13 reptile species, and 10 mammal species.

Al Yasat Marine

Coastal mangrove reserve around Ajman Creek, designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2017. Its lagoons and grey mangroves host over 100 bird species including resident greater…

Al Zorah

Largest protected area in Abu Dhabi spanning the Empty Quarter desert, home to the world's largest population of Arabian oryx roaming free in their natural habitat.

Arabian Oryx

Al Dhafra desert reserve and critical breeding zone for the houbara bustard, supporting thriving native vegetation cover.

Barqa Al Suqoor

Al Dhafra desert protected area with more than 75% natural Ghaf and Ghada woodland cover, conserving native desert tree biodiversity.

Beda Hazza

Protected geological reserve at Jebel Buhais near Al Madam featuring marine-fossil-rich rocky outcrops, desert flora and fauna, and an interpretive geology park in central Sharjah.

Buhais

Coastal wetland west of the Musaffah channel, vital habitat for migratory and resident birds including greater flamingos. Joined the World Wetlands Network in 2016.

Bul Syayeef

The oldest marine protected area in the UAE, established in 1995 within the Al Aqah zone off the Dibba coast. The fringing coral reef around this rocky islet shelters sea turtles, reef sharks, and…

Dibba Rock

Covers 4.7% of Dubai's total land area, protecting inland desert ecosystem with Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, and Gordon's wildcats in restored dune habitats.

Dubai Desert Conservation

Mountain protected area in the Hajar Mountains exclave of Dubai, designated a Ramsar site in 2019. Features rocky mountain terrain, wadis, and diverse desert mountain wildlife.

Hatta Mountain Conservation

Coastal and marine wetland between Palm Jebel Ali and the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border. Designated a Ramsar site in 2018, providing critical habitat for diverse marine species.

Jabal Ali Wetland

Only mountainous protected area in Abu Dhabi, dominated by Jebel Hafit rising to 1,240 metres, the emirate's highest peak. Designated by Amiri Decree 21 of 2017. Home to the rare Arabian tahr, dwarf…

Jabal Hafit

Ras Al Khaimah's first natural and wetland reserve, established by Emiri Decree in 2018 about 14 km south of the city. Its restored mangrove khor shelters flamingos, ospreys, and fish populations…

Khor Al Muzahmi

Sharjah's mangrove and Alhafeya protected area with the tallest and most extensive mature Avicennia marina mangrove woodland in the biogeographic region. UAE's third Ramsar site.

Khor Kalba

Protects over 75% of Abu Dhabi's mangrove forests, containing millions of mangrove trees that support a thriving coastal ecosystem with diverse marine life.

Mangrove

UAE's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with coastline stretching over 120 km. Supports the world's second-largest dugong population and contains Stone Age archaeological sites.

Marawah Marine

Central-region desert national park of dunes and limestone escarpments protecting over 100 documented species alongside one of Arabia's richest palaeolandscapes. Managed by the Sharjah Investment and…

Mleiha

Desert protected area in the Al Dhafra region comprising natural sand dunes and sabkha salt flats, home to free-roaming Arabian oryx and over 30 species of birds and reptiles.

Qasr Al Sarab

Coastal wetland at the end of Dubai Creek and UAE's first Ramsar site, hosting over 450 species of fauna including large flocks of greater flamingos amid mangrove swamps.

Ras Al Khor

Home to the largest coral reef in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region. Around 40% of all Gulf coral species are found here, providing natural hurricane protection.

Ras Ghanada

Island nature reserve established by Sheikh Zayed, home to over 13,000 free-roaming animals including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, and cheetahs amid millions of planted trees.

Sir Bani Yas

Arabian Gulf island reserve about 110 km offshore from Sharjah, a major nesting site for hawksbill and green turtles with rich coral reefs. A Ramsar site and IUCN Green List protected area.

Sir Bu Nair

Hajar Mountain wadi protected area between Sharjah and Kalba with year-round water, Sidr trees and a diversity of birds, reptiles, rodents and fish. Known as a scenic ecotourism canyon.

Wadi Al Helo

First protected mountain area in the UAE, established in 2009 in the Hajar Mountains of Fujairah and designated a Ramsar site. Its 127 km2 of wadis, waterfalls, and freshwater pools harbour the…

Wadi Wurayah

Rehabilitated wetland reserve near Al Ramtha hosting local and migratory birds across lakes, sabkha and dunes. A Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and one of Sharjah's premier ecotourism…

Wasit

Western Abu Dhabi reserve in the Al Dhafra region regarded as the last refuge for native flora in the far west, featuring coastal salt marshes, lithified sand dunes, and rocky exposures.

National Parks in United Arab Emirates

Al Bida’a

Al Dilfaweya

Al Faya

Al Ghada

Al Hefaiyah

Al Houbara

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation

Al Muntather

Al Ramlah

Al Saadiyat Marine

Al Sinniyah Island

Al Tawi

Al Wathba Wetland

Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation

Al Yasat Marine

Al Zorah

Arabian Oryx

Barqa Al Suqoor

Beda Hazza

Buhais

Bul Syayeef

Dibba Rock

Dubai Desert Conservation

Hatta Mountain Conservation

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National Parks in United Arab Emirates

All Parks (40)

Al Bida’a

Al Dilfaweya

Al Faya

Al Ghada

Al Hefaiyah

Al Houbara

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation

Al Muntather

Al Ramlah

Al Saadiyat Marine

Al Sinniyah Island

Al Tawi

Al Wathba Wetland

Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation

Al Yasat Marine

Al Zorah

Arabian Oryx

Barqa Al Suqoor

Beda Hazza

Buhais

Bul Syayeef

Dibba Rock

Dubai Desert Conservation

Hatta Mountain Conservation

All Parks A–Z

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