Skydiving, Immersive art: Indoor activities in Abu Dhabi the whole family can enjoy this summer
Want to go skydiving? Or how about playing with a handful of snow? Here's how you can have fun without getting the sunburn.
All aboard the Polar Express at Snow Abu Dhabi
Forget about summer strain and head to Snow Abu Dhabi, home to cool adventures for the whole family including unlimited access to nine rides, including Polar Express Train, Crystal Carousel, and Flight of the Snowy Owl. Every pass comes with fleece gloves, snow boots, trousers, jackets, and socks, so you can be toasty even as the chilly winds blow.
Dh215 (Summer pass). Kids under two not allowed. Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi. 10am-10pm (Sun-Thu); 10am-midnight (Fri-Sat). +971 600 5 99905. skidxb.com.
Check out the sea life at Sea World Abu Dhabi
For animal encounters of the close-up and personal kind, check out the world's largest indoor marine life theme park. There are eight 'realms' with more than 100 animal experiences and presentations, more than 35 interactive experiences and rides, live performances, and dining and retail outlets. If you go this July, you'll get a lot of information on sharks, which are in the spotlight. (Each month focuses on a different species.) Interesting things to consider: sharks do not have bones! What they have is a flexible cartilaginous skeleton strengthened by calcium salts, which they get from the food they eat. There are about 450 species scattered throughout the world.
From Dh480 (single day ticket, which includes sea lion feeding and either a dolphin or penguin encounter). 10am-8pm (Mon-Sun). Yas Island. 600 511 115. Seaworldabudhabi.com.
Culture — and catamarans — await you at Louvre Abu Dhabi
If you are a UAE resident who hasn't explored the artistically built Louvre Abu Dhabi, this is your moment to rectify that. From summer camps for the young ones to historical illustrations for the older people, a café, and a boutique shopping experience, Louvre has something for everyone. Feeling a bit extra? Hire a private catamaran for a cruise along the prized building.
From Dh45.50 (UAE residents). 10am-6.30pm (Tue-Sun). Saadiyat Cultural District. louvreabudhabi.ae. 600 5655 66
Experience the art of interaction at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
We react to our environment, and it reacts to us. See the international art collective, which combines tech, art, and science to create works that are immersive and interactive. You can walk through the Autonomous Abstraction exhibition, for instance, and see how it moves and evolves depending on your movement. In the Floating Lamps section, floating lights react to visitors' movements as well. Prepare to spend some time – and grey cells – exploring the space. When you get tired, take a break at Anko, where you can delve into the rich patisserie tradition of Japan. The menu is a journey across the country, with specials such as pan, mochi, and Daifuku.
From Dh67. Daily, 10am-7pm (Sun-Fri); 10am-8pm (Sat). Al Saadiyat Island, Cultural District. teamlababudhabi.com. +971 600 56 55 66.
Escape Prison Island
If you are looking for a group activity that tests the strength of your relationship as much as it does your mind power, this is the escape room (or prison escape) experience you will really be able to get behind. You can have between two and six players per team (about 20 teams can play at the same time) who will navigate their way through 26 cells. Note: eight- to 11-year-olds need an accompanying adult. Wear comfy shoes and clothes for this heart-pumping game that will need you to commit at least an hour of your time.
Dh99-129 (per person, one-hour game) Minimum of 2 people needed in a team. Abu Dhabi Mall, Level 3. prisonisland.ae. +971 58 819 9176.
Go skydiving at CLYMB
Always wanted to skydive but been a bit jittery about what that entails? Us too. But this summer, you can get some defying gravity time in, in a controlled environment. CLYMB Yas Island Abu Dhabi instructors will strap you into your safety gear (after a briefing) and stand you in the 32-metre-tall flight chamber (incidentally, the world's tallest) and then switch on the fans. The air from a total of 16 whirring fans will carry you up, up, and away (to a safe point). When you buy a ticket, you get two flights, so don't worry too much if you've got your eyes closed during your first soar. The experience is available for those over three and those who weigh less than 115kg. Once you've celebrated your flight, don't forget to claim your flying certificate to remember the proud moment.
From Dh235 (includes two pre-flight training and rental gear along with one-on-one instruction). Noon-9pm (Mon-Thu); noon-10pm (Fri); 11am-10pm (Sat-Sun). CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island. clymbabudhabi.com. +971 600 511115.
Ride the wave of fun at Yas Waterworld
There are about 60 ways to make a splash and 12 brand-new rides to discover at Yas Waterworld. From Dawaama Junior, the world's first Blaster ride for kids, to flume ride Bahamut Rage – which takes you on a three-minute thrilling journey before dropping you 15 metres – there's something for every adrenaline fan.
Dh295 (day pass with free parking, online). 10am-9pm (Sat-Thu). yaswaterworld.com. 600 511115.
Superheroes are waiting for you at Warner Bros. World Yas Island
This one is so much more than a theme park — it's where you can feel close to your favourite superheroes. With six themed zones and more than 30 rides to choose from, there's a lot to try at the region's biggest indoor theme park this summer.
Dh310 (single day ticket). Daily, 10am-8pm. wbworldabudhabi.com. 600 511115.
Take a trip to the wild side at Ferrari World
The really good thing about the UAE – theme parks don't take a summer break. At Ferrari World, you can ride on the world's quickest roller coaster, experience the highest non-inverted loop, and about 39 other rides and experiences. Got a little one in tow? They've have a blast with drive-inspired activities and perhaps a zoom at the Karting Academy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
6 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Manar 2.0 light art exhibition to illuminate Abu Dhabi's waterfronts this November
25 July 2025 00:35 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi's waterfront will be lit again this year when Manar, the capital's large-scale light art exhibition, returns in launched in 2023 by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar Abu Dhabi transforms the city's coastline into a mesmerising gallery of light sculptures, projections and interactive installations and year's edition, Manar 2.0, will feature the work of 35 artists hailing from across the globe, including the UAE, Japan, France, Mexico, assembling an extraordinary mix of perspectives and the names announced are teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri and Nujoom meaning 'lighthouse' in Arabic, is not a typical art exhibition. The installations will appear across several sites in the city, including Saadiyat, Jubail and Fahid Island, as well as along the Corniche and the Eastern event is designed to be experienced from multiple perspectives, whether you're walking along the beachfront, riding in a dhow, or watching from the year's programme will explore themes of nature, light, and creative connection. The full programme details are yet to be announced. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
The National
12 hours ago
- The National
Etihad Airways brings first-class luxury to small planes in rare move
Etihad Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in Hamburg on Thursday, featuring first-class seats on a small plane – a departure from industry norms, where premium cabins are typically found on long-haul flights aboard wide-body aircraft. This is the first of 20 A321LR aircraft to join Etihad's fleet, leased from AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor, the airline said on Thursday. Commercial flights start on August 1. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is known for its ultra-luxury product, The Residence – a three-room configuration featuring a private bedroom, an en suite shower and a living area with a Savoy-trained personal butler – available on the mammoth double-decker Airbus A380. Now, Etihad is introducing a first-class suite on its long-range, single-aisle A321LR jet, flying short-to-medium-haul routes. Analysts say the ambitious cabin layout is unusual in the industry. 'It's extremely rare,' said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of UAE-based boutique aviation consultancy BAA & Partners. The A321LR and longer-range A321XLR aircraft have been mainly positioned as 'premium-capable narrowbodies, but first-class installations remain an exception', he said. 'Typically, first class is the domain of wide-body, long-haul aircraft where both cabin space and yield potential justify the added cost and real estate,' he said. First class has increasingly become a niche product and many airlines have ceased offering it on their long-haul routes, said John Strickland, aviation analyst and director of JLS Consulting. 'That said, there is a core market in the Gulf region which Etihad can tap,' he said. 'Back to the game' Etihad Airways' boss said the first-class offering on narrow-body jets will be a game-changer for the airline. 'I'm 100 per cent confident that the product we've designed is going to be wow for first-class customers in a narrow-body … Etihad is back to the game,' Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, told The National ahead of the delivery. 'It's not about the size of the plane that you cannot create a first-class experience. It's all about execution and the product you offer.' Amenities in the new first-class suite include two private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, lie-flat beds and companion seating, along with a large 20in 4K screen for entertainment, with Bluetooth pairing and wireless charging. 'Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane,' Mr Neves said. 'The A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience.' A321LR routes Etihad's A321LR will operate from Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport to short- and medium-haul destinations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It will initially fly to Phuket before expanding service to Algiers, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Kolkata, Krabi, Krakow, Medan, Milan, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tunis and Zurich. An additional nine A321LR aircraft will be delivered throughout 2025, supporting the airline's ambitious growth plans to carry 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. This target has been revised up from a previous goal of 33 million and forms part of its Journey 2030 strategy, which also calls for doubling its fleet size. Etihad is aggressively expanding its network, having launched or announced 27 new routes this year. The A321LR is a longer-range variant of Airbus' A321neo. The aircraft has a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400km), thanks to three additional centre tanks that store extra fuel. Airbus says airlines can configure the A321LR cabin with layouts ranging from a single-class arrangement to multi-class set-ups featuring full-flat premium seats. Luxury in smaller confines Etihad seems to be using the A321LR features as a differentiator in the market, rather than a people-mover, analysts said. 'This isn't just about seat segmentation. It's a continuation of Etihad's boutique pivot – an identity centred around bespoke, high-touch experiences, especially post-pandemic,' Mr Bauer said. 'In the age of upgauging and densification, this is a contrarian move – but one that could carve out a defensible niche.' The product is also a differentiator on popular, high-yield, regional routes with high competition. Putting the premium experiences associated with large planes on to narrow-bodies helps airlines like Etihad to preserve brand consistency across the board, Mr Linus said. 'For Etihad, a first class suite on a narrowbody ensures continuity with its wide-body experience and upsells to ultra-high-net worth individuals or VIPs travelling regionally or connecting onward in premium cabins,' he said. A321LR features First Suites: private, enclosed spaces with sliding doors, fully-flat beds. Each window-facing suite features a 20in 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and additional space for a companion to sit. Business Class: features 14 wide-body-style seats with a 17.3in 4K screen, Bluetooth headphone pairing and wireless charging. Economy Class: 144 seats that are 18.4in wide, with a five-inch recline, 13.3in, 4K touchscreens and USB charging.
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
Queen Alia Airport records 4.4mln passengers in H1 2025
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan served 4,406,690 passengers in the first half of 2025, marking a 6 per cent growth over H1 2024. This increase was fueled by the return of regional and European routes and heightened travel during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. However, QAIA experienced a 16.6 per cent decrease in June 2025 due to regional tensions and flight disruptions. In H1 2025, QAIA experienced a significant rebound in airline activity, with the resumption of services by several carriers and the introduction of new airlines and routes. The airport also saw a significant rebound in airline activity, with flyadeal and Ajet resumed operations, Royal Jordanian expanded its global network, and Libyan Wings and SunExpress commenced operations. A key sustainability milestone was the inauguration of the Shams al Mattar Lil-Taqa Solar Farm in April, which generates over 10.5 GWh of electricity annually and reduces approximately 12,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. In January, ground handlers Menzies Aviation and Aviation Handling Services opened a second 8,000 sqm air cargo facility, doubling QAIA's cargo handling capacity and creating new employment opportunities. QAIA's commitment to customer satisfaction was reaffirmed in March when it was named the 'Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East' for the second time, following the successful renewal of Level 3 of the ACI World Airport Customer Experience Accreditation in February. The airport also signed a strategic agreement with Extime JCDecaux Airport to deploy innovative and sustainable advertising solutions. The Airport International Group Foundation (AIGF) initiated a new round of vocational training courses via its 'Hirfati' training center, registering a 20 per cent increase in applications. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the past six months, Nicolas Deviller, Jordan Airport International Group CEO, stated, 'The first half of 2025 emphasises the enduring strength of QAIA as a vital national asset and a cornerstone of Jordan's air transport sector. In the face of regional adversity, we remained focused on growing our traffic and delivering impactful projects, innovative enhancements and passenger-centric services that uphold the highest international standards and shape QAIA into a welcoming airport that feels like home. With the steadfast support of our employees, partners and stakeholders, we are confident that the foundations laid during this period will drive success throughout the remainder of the year and beyond.' Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
