Captain Tony’s

Captain Tony's is an established marine-tourism company in Abu Dhabi, running boat tours and watersports from three bases: Yas Marina, the marina at Souk Qaryat Al Beri and Eastern Mangroves Marina. Its multilingual crews take guests out on the sheltered inshore waters of the Arabian Gulf, and the company is a good choice if you want to see a side of the city that is invisible from the roads.

The range is broad. Full-day and half-day trips explore the waterways and hidden beaches around the islands, and you can combine time on the boat with kayaking into the mangroves. The Visit Abu Dhabi tourism board highlights the company's eco-focused, guided boat tours through the mangrove forests, as well as sunset cruises, dhow cruises and fishing trips, so there is something for nature lovers, families and groups looking for a relaxed evening on the water.

Captain Tony's also runs a set of water routes that double as scenic transport. The Red Route operates within Khor Al Maqta, linking The Souk at Qaryat Al Beri and the Shangri-La with The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr; tickets are bought on board, and children under six travel free. The Yellow Route, available as a private charter, heads from The Souk to Eastern Mangroves Marina, passing beneath the bridges and the historic Al Maqtaa Fort, while the Blue Route links the Khor Al Maqta hotels and The Souk with Yas Marina by private charter.

The tours suit couples, families with children, photographers and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Abu Dhabi's coastal environment. The mangrove trips are a calm, close-up way to see one of the coast's most important habitats. Wear sun protection and bring water, as there is little shade on smaller boats, and choose early morning or late afternoon departures in the warmer months.

Private charters on the Yellow and Blue routes must be booked in advance, so contact the company before you travel. If you are staying at one of the Khor Al Maqta hotels, the Red Route is an easy, inexpensive way to get out on the water for a short trip. For a longer outing, combine a mangrove tour from Eastern Mangroves with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, or a sunset cruise from Yas Marina with dinner at the marina afterwards.