Al Wathba | Fossil Dunes

Abu Dhabi’s fragile Fossil Dunes have formed over thousands of years, from a mixture of sand, wind and calcium carbonate.

How To Book

You won’t need to purchase any tickets to see these Fossil Dunes, as there is no specific entry point and access is free for the public.

When To Go

You can visit Abu Dhabi’s Fossil Dunes 24/7, 365 days a year.

However, it is best to visit these Fossil Dunes in the cooler months between October and March, as there is little to no shade available.

Occasionally these Fossil Dunes will be temporarily closed for a range of reasons, so best to check with 'Visit Abu Dhabi' before you plan to visit.

How To Get There

Located in the desert landscape of Al Wathba in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, these Fossil Dunes can be found approximately 70kms south on Abu Dhabi Island and south of the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve.

Whilst we accessed these Fossil Dunes in a small van, most other visitors came in a 4WD car.

Tips For Your Visit

There are no public bathrooms on-site, so make sure that you factor this into your travel plans and there is ample free parking on the desert sand right in front of the dunes.

What To Expect

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCE) asks all visitors not to touch or climb onto these Fossil Dunes and remove any rubbish that you bring along, in order to preserve them for many years to come.

This year authorities in Abu Dhabi announced that they would be conducting regular patrols of these Fossil Dunes, as vandals have damaged these fragile dunes in recent times.

What's Unique

What we loved about this site in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is that no 2 Fossil Dunes are the same!

The Verdict

Whilst we didn’t spend very long at these Fossil Dunes (approximately 15-20 minutes), it was well worth the drive to see these impressive natural wonders!