Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Hours, Hides and How to Visit

Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary has three bird hides, and Dubai Municipality lists the Flamingo Hide as offering views of flamingos all year round. In 2007 the sanctuary became the first site in the UAE listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, according to Dubai Media Office. It lies in central Dubai, with views of the Downtown skyline.

The three hides

HideWhat you may seeMakani no.Status Flamingo HideFlamingos, year-round29772 87328Listed by Dubai Municipality Lagoon HideWaders and raptors; overlooks the creek30487 87923Listed by Dubai Municipality Mangrove HideMigratory ducks, snipes, shanks, greater cormorants, Eurasian spoonbills; sometimes storks in winter31623 86559Temporarily closed

Connect with Nature describes one hide on the western edge overlooking the flamingo roost and two on the southern edge, near Al Buhaira Lagoon and the mangroves. Dubai Municipality calls the Lagoon Hide the choice for serious birdwatchers.

How visits work

• Families, individuals and photographers: walk in during opening hours. Registration on arrival is required, and security may ask to see your Emirates ID.
• Schools and universities: pre-book through Dubai Municipality's online portal (service code 3503). Visits include an educational tour with a Protected Areas guide.
• Tour companies: pre-book through the same portal; the educational tour is optional.
• Commercial filming or photography, and research: need a No Objection Certificate from Dubai Municipality's Natural Reserves Section. Enquiries go to nrs@dm.gov.ae.

Opening hours: check first

Dubai Municipality's visit page refers to opening hours without listing them, and the published times we found do not agree:

• Connect with Nature lists Saturday to Thursday 9am to 4pm and Friday 2pm to 6pm, with winter hours of 7:30am to 5pm, and entry as free.
• Dubai Municipality's December 2020 reopening notice gave 7:30am to 5:30pm, Sunday to Thursday, closed Fridays and Saturdays. That notice dates from the pandemic period.

Given the difference, confirm times with Dubai Municipality before you set off, especially at weekends.

What lives here

The sanctuary combines mangroves, mudflats, lagoons, sabkha, reed beds and scrubland. Dubai Media Office puts the count at nearly 450 species of flora and fauna, and Connect with Nature lists around 67 bird species, including birds that migrate to and from East Africa; flamingos, grey herons and great egrets are the most familiar. BirdLife International recognises it as an Important Bird Area.

The upgrade under way

In June 2025 Dubai Municipality awarded the contract for phase one of an AED 650 million development, covering about 6.4 sq km of the sanctuary and due for completion by the end of 2026. Khaleej Times reported that the work raises the area of water bodies by 144% to 74 hectares and adds 10 hectares of mudflats, with a target of 250,000 to 300,000 visitors a year. A visitor centre and birdwatching towers are planned for a later second phase, with no date given. Neither announcement said whether any hides would close during construction, which is another reason to check before visiting.

Before you go

• Confirm the day's hours and which hides are open with Dubai Municipality.
• Carry your Emirates ID and a reusable water bottle.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife and don't feed the birds.
• For more nature spots, see nature walks in Dubai's parks or the Directory.

For general information. Details can change; check with Dubai Municipality before relying on them.