Sailboats and Serenity: When a Wrong Turn Led Us to Al Zorah Marina 1

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Ready for a new escapade? Let’s dive into Ajman, UAE! Let’s discover what makes this hidden gem worth a visit!

After a full morning of wandering through Sharjah’s cultural corners. Our hearts are still craving one more peaceful spot before heading home. My husband, always the one to find hidden gems, scrolled through his phone looking for a place to unwind. He found a suggestion for the Al Zorah Mangroves. Excited by the idea of kayaking through serene green waters, he pinned the location and we headed off without thinking twice.

But when we arrived, something felt different. There were no mangroves in sight. Rather, we found ourselves at Al Zorah Marina 1. The creek is home to a recreational park. As we went out to the car, we were welcomed with this scenery, surrounded by trees and landscaped gardens. A stylish, open-air marina with boats. Scenic boardwalks are perfect for strolling and offering a sweeping view of natural mangroves.

As we continued to walk, my husband asked a nearby staff member what activities we could enjoy in the area. They told us about the mangrove tour. A chance to explore the rich natural surroundings up close. A café and a restaurant in the area. Perfect for taking a pause and enjoying the view. The calm water strengthened quietly beside us, adding to the overall sense of peace that wrapped around the place.

My husband went to the counter to pay for our tickets. We were pleasantly surprised that it only cost 5 dirhams each—around $1.35. We then made our way to the dock and waited in front of our boat. It was an abra, a traditional wooden boat whose name comes from the Arabic word meaning “to cross.” These boats have been used in the Middle East for centuries. Offering a simple, still timeless way to travel across the water. As we stood there, with the soft breeze and calm waters around us, the scene felt both peaceful and timeless.

In under ten minutes, yay! We were all set and ready to hop on the boat. We chose the second row, close enough to the front for a good view. Far enough to just sit back and relax. The boat softly turned to leave the dock, a cool wind welcomed us, brushing across our faces and making us smile. It was also the kind of air that makes you close your eyes for a second and just gasp it in.

The marina, part of the Al Zorah Natural Reserve, offers views of the surrounding waters and a reserve stretch of mangroves. At first, we thought this was the start of a full mangrove tour. We even got excited thinking we might get to paddle a kayak later. But no, that tour happens at another location. But as the abra continued its smooth ride, we realized it was just a short loop around the marina. Just a gentle cruise past the edge of the mangroves.

We took a quick photo and smiled. Even though deep down we felt a little let down. It wasn’t the mangrove adventure we had imagined, but we didn’t want that to ruin the moment. So, we shrugged it off and chose to enjoy the boat ride anyway.

We decided to just enjoy the ride. And it turned out to be exactly what we didn’t know we needed. The boat sailed smoothly across the water as we passed distant high-rise buildings, a mosque and some unique structures in the area.

Different kinds of boats were docked along the marina, each with its own charm and purpose. The marina carried an authentic atmosphere that made it feel like more than just a place for boats. It was a living, breathing part of the community.

After the abra ride, we decided to relax with some drinks. A mango shake for me and a hot cup of coffee for my husband. We found a perfect spot and took a moment to simply soak in the atmosphere.

We embraced the peaceful charm of Al Zorah Marina, grateful for the stillness and the simple joy of being present in such a beautiful place.

Photos taken using Samsung S21
collage using Canva

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