With travel plans put on pause for many, this seems to be the year to really explore the country in which you live. And, just in time for the cooler weather, UAE residents now have a new beach to check out in Umm Al Quwain. Located in Khor Al Yeefrah, about an hour’s drive from Downtown Dubai, Mangrove Beach is the first of its kind in the emirate and will promote environmental tourism and the importance of mangroves. The Department of Tourism and Antiquities of Umm Al Quwain is currently preparing for the official inauguration of the beach. Public facilities are being constructed, including swings and thatched sun shades, while there will also be sporting activities available at the site. The beach offers gorgeous vistas of mangrove trees and biodiversity in the region, which authorities are keen on preserving. This will be the second mangrove destination to open in the UAE this year, following the launch of Abu Dhabi's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/family/jubail-mangrove-park-everything-you-need-to-know-from-parking-to-location-1.972801#4">Jubail Mangrove Park</a> in January. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi residents also have another beachfront destination to look forward to this month. Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche has recently announced the opening of The Cove – a laid-back restaurant and lounge located to the west of the Corniche at West Bay Abu Dhabi – that will open to the public on Thursday, December 24. The venue, set on the beach, boasts hammocks, swings, and panoramic views of the water and the Abu Dhabi skyline. And, since Christmas marks the official opening of The Cove, the venue has already put together a set menu for those wanting to spend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at the outdoor spot, with prices starting at Dh495 and Dh395 for respective brunches. The venue will also host a New Year’s Eve party with a three-course meal and DJ, priced at Dh1,421 per person.
