I lived in Abu Dhabi for an entire year without visiting these mystical formations. Why? Because of a lack of information. People have no idea about the beautiful sites they can visit (FOR FREE) in the emirate so I’ve decided to fill that gap. Don’t forget to read my post on Shuweihat Island, another Abu Dhabi hidden gem.
What are these fossil dunes? They’re shifting sands that have become hardened and shaped by the wind to create a peculiar, photogenic landscape.
Note: The fossils rocks can be visited as a day trip from Dubai & other emirates but it is best coupled as part of a longer visit to Abu Dhabi city. You need your own vehicle to make this journey.
Our vehicle
Here is another wonderful site that can be visited in a regular vehicle. The last 5 minutes require you to go off road but the road is sturdy and can be handled by any vehicle.
Our route
In the absence of any accurate Google Maps link taking you to see the fossil dunes in Abu Dhabi, I dropped a pin when I visited. You’re welcome:
It’s an uncomplicated journey along the E30 towards Al Wathba, just make sure you read the signs carefully when taking the exits off the highway. You will eventually end up on a small road with speed bumps, surrounded by desert on either side. It will seem like you’re driving through an industrial area (its a nearby waste treatment facility) but keep going until you pass the camel enclosure. Eventually you will see the large fossil rocks on the left and make your way there for 5 minutes off road.
Our experience
You are completely in nature when you visit the fossil rocks in Abu Dhabi so no bathrooms, no shops nearby, no bins and no facilities of any kind. Bring along whatever you think you will need. This is a great spot to snap photos at sunset and also enjoy a picnic! The fossils are interesting to look at and make for great photos at any time of day; its also possible to camp here but remember to clean up any trash after you leave.
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The Verdict
The fossil dunes are a great picnic spot for those looking to get away from the city and enjoy nature. The unique nature of these fossilised structures are good for budding scientists and photo enthusiasts alike! I highly recommend a visit to these formations at least once if you happen to be nearby!
You can read posts by others on this destination here & here.
Have you been to see the fossil dunes in Abu Dhabi? Or have I just put it on your list? Let me know in the comments below!
![🌀New Blog Post: How I survive moments of doubt as an expat🌀
5 international moves later and I still struggle with self doubt 🫠
The way I see it, life is a collection of experiments where we constantly learn about ourselves. Maybe we succeed at what we set out to do and/or we learn something. If we’ve learned, we haven’t failed, so never look at anything you do abroad as a failure 🥇
In my blog post today I outline some of the coping strategies and thoughts that help me navigate a new place once I have moved. Give it a read if this is something you’re struggling with or share it with your friends who may have just moved somewhere new! You can find the post from the latest post tab in my bio link 🔗
The worst is when people say, “But you live in Europe, how bad can it be?” in response to any problem I am facing, as if living in a European country is a magical cure-all for all of life’s ills. I WISH.
Have you experienced self doubt when moving abroad?
[Living abroad, moving countries, life as an expat]](https://i0.wp.com/expatpanda.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=640&ssl=1)
3 Comments
They are so gorgeous, aren’t they?! I love your photos during the sunset! Thank you for linking my site 🙂 I miss Abu Dhabi so much!
Blogs are a weird thing because it isn’t like Instagram or Facebook where you get an immediate & clear notification that you’ve been mentioned on another site, you just have to investigate things 🙂 You are most welcome, there are honestly so few write ups about this majestic place that it seemed only fair to link other posts which were actually relevant 🙂
Oh & I miss Abu Dhabi too!