We Hit Al Ain Adventure Park and Awakened Our Inner Goofballs
O pI used to be the class clown—no joke! My yearbook says I’m most likely to succeed as a clown. I even considered it for a bit since everyone loved my high-pitched voice and magician tendencies. Still, I knew better than to go down that road with strict parents.
Eventually, I found my second love: math. Snooze, right? I get it. Just saying that word can make one yawn. And the finance industry? Not going to lie—it definitely aged me a lot. I’ve been working hard for years and can’t remember the last time I had real fun.
And I think, my brothers noticed. Even as grown men, we still fear our parents, so they never told them we were going to Al Ain Adventure Park! They wanted me to unleash my inner clown and enjoy life again, and we did! Here’s the lowdown from our trip.
What is Al Ain Adventure Park known for?
Al Ain Adventure Park is known for being the first facility in the Middle East to offer water activities like surfing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Al Ain Adventure is from October to March when it’s cooler and more pleasant to do water sports.
But if you’re visiting during warmer months from April to September, just make sure to find lots of shade under oasis palm trees or explore indoor attractions to stay cool.
Things to Know
Entry Fees: The admission package at Al Ain Adventure Park, with access to rafting, duckies, tubing, and wave pool, costs AED 175.
General admission for kids (below 120 cm or 3”11 ft in height) and seniors costs AED 110 respectively, while infants and people of determination (POD) can access for free. Do note that the tickets only provide entry, and other activities require extra payment.
Rental Fees: For your convenience, you can rent the following: a locker for 1 day (AED 10), a towel for 1 day (AED 25), and a surfboard for 1 hour (AED 50) or 2 hours (AED 75).
Operating Hours: Al Ain Adventure Park is open from Mondays to Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.
Parking: Parking is available at the park. It can also be paid in several ways: via cash, the Darb app (toll gate system), a rechargeable card, your mobile phone, or MAWAQiF payment machines.
Washroom: There are a few bathrooms and changing rooms at the water park when needed.
Dogs: Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed here for safety and cleanliness reasons.
How to Get Around
Trains: There are no train services you can ride to the park at this time.
Buses: Take the line 104 bus from Dubai to Al Ain. This can take you about 3 hours and 20 minutes, though.
Taxis: Getting a taxi is the most convenient option for us! You can hail one to get to Al Ain by using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem.
Car: The most affordable way to get from Downtown Dubai to Al Ain Adventure Park is by driving. This can take you only an hour and a half.
What to Do in Al Ain Adventure Park
Swim Your Heart Out
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Website: https://alainadventure.com/price-packages/
Contact Details: +971 3 714 9666, [email protected]
When we think about the number one thing to do at Al Ain Adventure Park, we can’t not talk about swimming! Dubai’s heat can be pretty intense, so we can’t blame anyone for wanting to linger and splash around the waters for hours.
What we love about this is that in the winter, the family pool and splash area would be heated. For us, this makes the water park a paradise no matter the season!
If you or any of your crew aren’t confident about their swimming skills, we recommend getting Open Beach swimming sessions. The better you get at it, the more fun you’ll have with the other water sports here!
Raft Your Way to a Good Time
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Website: https://alainadventure.com/price-packages/
Contact Details: +971 3 714 9666, [email protected]
Want to experience the thrills and spills of the frothy, fast-moving water? Try rafting at Al Ain Adventure Park! You can go solo or enjoy with up to 4 more friends.
This activity is suitable for adults and kids (at least 1.2 m tall). And don’t worry if it’s your first time. We think you’ll be guided well since each rafting session has briefing and gearing-up sessions on land and water.
We also like that you’ll go on 3 levels of rapids so it would be one heck of a ride. Better brace yourself for a lot of excitement!
Kayak and Chill
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Website: https://alainadventure.com/price-packages/
Contact Details: +971 3 714 9666, [email protected]
Kayaking is another dynamic sport at the park. If you didn’t know, Al Ain Adventure’s whitewater (fast-moving water) channels span more than 1,100 meters—the longest in the world!
Whether you’re a beginner or a kayaking pro, we bet you’ll have plenty of space to practice and be the best at paddling in no time.
Surf and Ride the Waves Like a Pro
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Website: https://alainadventure.com/price-packages/
Contact Details: +971 3 714 9666, [email protected]
They say when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade—and we think surfing is a great example of that!
Some may think the waves are scary. But when you learn to surf, we believe you can enjoy anything from the small-rolling waves to the highest ones. If you’re ready to learn the skill, we suggest going for group lessons for better motivation.
Soft boards are provided here as well. Just be sure to book your surfing sessions in advance—this is a requirement at the park.
Where to Eat around Al Ain Adventure Park
Al Dallah Al Shameyah Restaurant & Café
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Website: https://www.aldallahalshameyah.com/ar/
Address: Ain Al Faydah
Contact Details: +971 3 722 8199, [email protected]
Pricing: $
Al Dallah Al Shameyah Restaurant & Café is a nature-themed restaurant near Al Ain Adventure Park. We mainly love the outdoor seating here! You can rest your eyes on the luscious garden with many indoor plants and flowers planted on the walls.
From the mix of Eastern and Western cuisines, we suggest going for the mixed grill to have a bit of everything. The whole chicken and dynamite shrimp are also among our top picks!
Plus, we like the spots with massive screens. You can grab your buds and watch football matches, as well as live shows during festivals and celebration days.
Telegraph Cafe
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Website: http://www.telegraphcafe.ae/
Address: Shaab Al Ashkhar – Zayed Mosque neighborhood
Contact Details: +971 3 785 6666, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Telegraph Cafe is a nice and cozy coffee shop near the water park with a varied menu. We recommend coming here if you’re craving breakfast or brunch food throughout your trip.
The highlights for us are the eggs Benedict, chili cheese fries, and the signature club sandwich. As for the drinks, don’t miss out on Arabian coffee to round out the flavors—that is if you’re going for the sweet Lotus Biscoff pudding or saffron milk cake.
Curry Pot Restaurant
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Website: https://www.talabat.com/uae/restaurant/633273/curry-pot-restaurant-al-dhahir
Address: 137th St – Al Dhahir – Barari Outlet Mall
Contact Details: +971 3 753 1966
Pricing: $
Known for its big menu of Indian food, Curry Pot Restaurant is a casual dining spot that we think is worth checking out—especially if you have a hearty appetite!
Our top picks are the butter chicken biryani (fragrant rice dish), tandoori (yogurt-marinated) prawns, and charcoal-grilled chicken. We also like that there are a few Chinese dishes like vegetarian ball manchurian gravy if you don’t eat meat.
While the desserts are limited, we reckon the moreish gulab jamun (deep-fried milk dumplings in sugar syrup) with ice cream is still worth a shot.
Palm Greens Bar & Restaurant
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Website: http://aesgc.com/
Address: Street # 135 Khalifa Bin Zayed St – Al Maqam
Contact Details: +971 3 702 6425, [email protected]
Pricing: $
Feeling fancy? Palm Greens Bar & Restaurant offers Arabian and other Middle Eastern dishes, as well as a fantastic view of its 2,500-meter race track and golf course!
For us, the signature full English breakfast and slow-braised beef with Guinness beer deserve their own spotlight! We reckon these are great to keep you full if you have a long itinerary later.
Dessert-wise, we suggest getting the classic sticky date pudding or creamy red velvet cake for a delectable treat.
Where to Shop near Al Ain Adventure Park
H2O Shop
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Website: https://alainadventure.com/retail-facilities/
Address: Al Ain Adventure Park – Ain Al Fayda
Contact Details: +971 3 714 9666, [email protected]
Forgot something to bring for your water park getaway? H2O Shop is a fully stocked outdoor adventure store inside the park! It offers all kinds of sports gear from local and international brands.
Whether you need more sunblock, extra umbrellas, a big hat, or a new surfboard, we bet there’s no nearer store than this one.
But if you’re on a tight budget, we suggest renting items like towels and gloves from the park or making an inquiry first before heading to this apparel shop.
Alain Outlet Center
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Address: 3 Al Lujayn 1 St – Industrial Area
Contact Details: +971 50 766 0148
For us, Alain Outlet Center is where you should go to snag some lovely keepsakes for yourself or adorable souvenirs for the little ones!
We love that this store has many colorful toys like dolls, bears, water guns, and the like. In our view, many of these items look very unique—not something you can easily find in the big malls nearby.
Moreover, there always seems to be a discount for clothes here! We say dig deep through the piles of shirts, jackets, and pants if you’ve got the time. Who knows? You might just get the best fashion deal ever.
Where to Stay near Al Ain Adventure Park
Green Mubazzarah Chalets
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Website: https://www.danathotels.com/greenmubazzarahchalets
Address: 4P4P+9V
Contact Details: +971 3 713 0300, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Green Mubazzarah Chalets is a 4-star hotel 7 km from the Al Ain Adventure Park where you can enjoy stunning desert surroundings.
We like the simple 1- and 2-bedroom chalets here. It has all the essentials with dining and living rooms, flat-screen TVs, kitchens, and coffeemakers. We’re also in awe of the mountain vistas and patios—a relaxing treat from a whole day of water sports!
At the end of the day, you can indulge in the hot springs too! You may also bring the kids to the playground and check out the scenic man-made lake right after.
Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel
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Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/3573/index.en.shtml
Address: Jabal Hafeet
Contact Details: +971 3 704 6888, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet Al Ain Hotel is a sophisticated 4-star accommodation in a modern building. It’s also 3 km from Jebel Hafeet mountain and 16 km from the Al Ain water park.
Besides the hotel being surrounded by palm trees, we also dig the tropical vibe going on in the rooms. They have all the basic amenities, but we recommend upgrading your suites to get roomy living areas, cool whirlpool baths, and well-equipped kitchens.
When it’s time for dinner, you can also dine at the Italian restaurant on-site! Other perks include golf, a spa, an outdoor play zone, and guess what—it’s got 3 outdoor pools and waterslides too! For us, it’s like you never left the water park.
Ayla Bawadi Hotel
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Website: http://www.aylahotels.com/
Address: Zayed Bin Sultan St – Bawadi Mall Area – Mayzad – Al Ain
Contact Details: +971 3 703 0111, [email protected]
Pricing: $$
Ayla Bawadi Hotel is a 4-star haven set within the Bawadi Mall—a delight for shoppers! We think this posh hotel is great for nature lovers and history buffs because it’s surrounded by grand mountains and is only 9 km from the Al Ain National Museum.
In our opinion, the understated rooms also have a warm vibe that’s ideal for families. If you have the means for it, we say go for the suites! This will add living rooms and kitchenettes to make your space even comfier.
Those who want a proper break from the sun may enjoy the indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. All kinds of dining options are available too! You can choose from a modern restaurant, chill cafe, poolside bar, or lobby lounge.
Tips When Visiting Al Ain Adventure Park
Now that you know all about this thrill-seeker paradise, let’s make your trip a breeze by keeping these few extra tips in mind:
Book tickets weeks (or months) prior. It’s wise to reserve tickets in advance. The slots may be limited since the park is also used to train athletes.
Check the dress code. Flip-flops or bare feet aren’t allowed at the park for safety reasons, so we advise wearing comfy closed-toe shoes. We also advise bringing something to cover up ladies’ swimwear when using the park’s indoor facilities.
Mind the sun! As annoying as it may sound, remember to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 50 a half hour before going into the sun. We recommend being diligent in reapplying it every 2 hours as well!
Maximize your lockers. You may think your pockets are safe to hold your precious items, but it’s still too risky. It’s best to put jewelry and other valuables in the lockers provided to avoid loss or damage. Better safe than sorry!
Don’t bring your own snacks. Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed in the park, so don’t bother to sneak some in. For us, nothing’s worth dealing with the hassle.
Be patient. The timeslots on your ticket are subject to slight variations, so it’s best to manage your expectations. This helps you avoid unnecessary frustrations while in the queue.