What You Need to Know About Moon Lake Dubai
Dubai may be in the middle of the desert, but it actually has 56 lakes, the most in the country.
Although most are man made, these lakes are just as spectacular as the natural ones. In fact, some of them are so unique you won’t find anything similar anywhere else in the world.
Not convinced yet? Think about a lake in the shape of a crescent. Let’s explore Moon Lake Dubai, shall we? And don’t worry because this one doesn’t require a moonwalk.
Moon Lake Dubai is a popular tourist attraction.
Moon Lake Dubai is a crescent-shaped lake in the middle of the Al Qudra desert near the famous Love Lake.
It was first discovered and shot by Dubai-based videographer Mostafa Eldiasty who posted the stunning aerial shots on his Instagram account @100.pixels.
The shots quickly became viral with thousands of likes and shares that many tourists from around the world wanted to be one of the first to visit this hidden gem in the middle of the Arabian desert.
Just like most of the lakes in Dubai, Moon Lake is man made and it covers a total land area of 2,500 square meters.
Its crescent shape is believed to honor the symbol of Muslim faith and its location right in the middle of the barren desert makes it a sight to behold, especially at night when its 50,000 LED lights make this part of Al Qudra shine bright.
Aside from the beautiful lake, Moon Lake is also rich in flora and fauna. And if you’re lucky, you could even spot many migratory birds near the lake.
The good news is: entry to Moon Lake is completely free and you can visit the area any time of the year.
You should be warned though that getting to the site can be quite a trek, especially since it’s in the middle of the vast desert with no definite roads to guide you.
While you can simply put the coordinates 24.7874218.55.3065662 on Google Maps, there are no paved roads to the lake, which means that you have to ride a 4×4 vehicle if you want to reach it.
Good thing, many travel operators offer safari packages that include a stop at Moon Lake. You just need to book a tour and they’ll take care of everything, from your transportation to activities.
Most of these tours, however, are only available during the winter season between October to April when the weather is warmer and the heat is more tolerable.
You also have the option to rent your own 4×4 vehicle and hire a guide to take you to Moon Lake Dubai and the rest of Al Qudra.
It’s also best to visit right before sunrise or sunset, so you can appreciate how the sky changes color, making the experience more magical.
Moon Lake Dubai is near other attractions.
Although Moon Lake Dubai is all about enjoying the scenery of the water, trees and animals, you can make your visit worthwhile by trying these activities in Al Qudra:
- Go cycling at the Al Qudra Cycling Track.
If you’re into cycling, the 86-kilometer Al Qudra Cycling Track will surely challenge your skills, speed and endurance with different elevations and terrains.
But don’t worry because there are plenty of shaded areas, toilets and benches along the track where you can rest and take a bathroom break during your ride.
- Spend the night in a camp.
There’s nothing quite like the magic of the desert at night, So if you can, you have to try camping in Al Qudra Lakes.
There are different campsites in the area where you can set up a tent or bring your RV for a night under the Arabian stars. You also don’t need to worry because these sites have toilets, showers and even barbeque areas where you can cook.
- Go nature watching.
Al Qudra is home to Dubai’s rich wildlife where you’ll get to see different species of birds, small mammals and reptiles throughout the day.
The lakes are especially known for a flock of ducks, flamingos and herons. And if you’re lucky, you can even spot an eagle or falcon in the horizon.
It’s very important to note, however, that Al Qudra is a protected site, as it’s part of Dubai’s conservation projects.
So when visiting, make sure to follow all the rules to protect the habitat of these animals while appreciating their beauty through bird watching and wildlife photography.
- Explore the desert on a horse back.
If you’re not very keen on riding a camel, you can explore Al Qudra on horseback. Hre, you get to see the different lakes in the area including Moon Lake Dubai and Love Lake while really basking in the local desert life.
- Ride a hot air balloon.
For the ultimate desert experience – and if you have the budget – you have to see the desert from above.
Riding a hot air balloon is a must-try if you love adventure because for an hour, you’ll be whisked high above the ground and glide above the Al Qudra desert to see Moon Lake Dubai and its other attractions from up top.
Hot air balloon rides usually start early in the morning, so you can see the sunrise, and you get to ride above some of the area’s most beautiful lakes and attractions.
Most of these tour packages also include lunch or dinner in the desert, activities like dune bashing and sandboarding, and an overnight stay at a Bedouin camp if you want to.