Ras Al Khaimah is known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. Against a backdrop of palm-fringed beaches, the fluttering canopy of green from mangroves, and sculptural dunes in the desert, the northern emirate offers a balance of adventure and serenity.ย
It is this unique balance that inspires Ras Al Khaimah to protect its natural resources, making it a destination for travel experiences that are memorable as well as mindful.
Part of the emirateโs sustainability efforts is partnering with organizations like EarthCheck, a leading authority in scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for travel and tourism.
With two sustainability programs under EarthCheck, Ras Al Khaimah is the first destination in the Middle East to get the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations Silver Certification. Covering everything from water and energy use to waste reduction and cultural preservation, the certification reflects Ras Al Khaimahโs outstanding performance in sustainable tourism.
We take a closer look at Ras Al Khaimahโs sustainability programs and what the emirate offers the eco-conscious traveler.
Why Is Ras Al Khaimah a Sustainable Oasis?
Ras Al Khaimah is leading the eco-friendly initiatives in the UAE through its Sustainable Tourism Strategy Plan, featuring Destination Certification and Responsible RAK.
Both programs, in partnership with EarthCheck, demonstrate the emirateโs investments and long-term commitment to reducing tourismโs carbon footprint, improving community involvement, and protecting the environment.
Destination Certification focuses on achieving an internationally recognized sustainable certification for Ras Al Khaimah. Responsible RAK, on the other hand, is an auditing and certification system from the Tourism Business Accreditation Programme. It encourages hotels, tour operators, and attractions to reduce their environmental impact.
Since its introduction, Responsible RAK has led to a 23% energy efficiency improvement, a 29% greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and a 61% overall waste cut across the certified entities.
More than 20 tourism businesses, including hotels, have come onboard, which means eco-conscious travelers like you will have several options for accommodations, dining experiences, and activities.
Where to Stay
Ras Al Khaimah is home to several exceptional and internationally recognized hotels that have received the prestigious EarthCheck Certification.
Book a stay or two at any of these magnificent hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, and indulge in leisurely stays that align with environmental stewardship.
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
The renowned Waldorf Astoria entices with more than refined, world-class service, an award-winning spa, elegant rooms and sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf. Its green initiatives include the use of eco-friendly wooden RFID key cards, reduced energy and water consumption, and removal of plastics, all without compromising its signature guest services.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
When it comes to uniting luxury with nature, The Ritz-Carlton does it in style. The hotel sits in a protected nature reserve that spans 500 hectares. Watch in awe as diverse wildlife roam freely in a secluded oasis.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach
The Ritz-Carlton in Al Hamra Beach follows the iconic hotel brandโs sustainability practices. These include optimizing light and electrical usage, measuring energy consumption, and reusing food waste for animal feed. Guests can also book the hotelโs Nature Tour, which covers the rich flora and fauna surrounding the area.
BM Beach Hotel and BM Beach Resort
The contemporary 4-star hotel and resort implements an Environment Management System that oversees reduction of water and energy use, minimizing its impact on the environment. BM Beach hotels also follow ethical sourcing of local products and promote local communities that uphold environmental sustainability standards.
The Cove Rotana Resort
Located in a picturesque water inlet on the Ras Al Khaimah beachfront, the Cove Rotana Resort isnโt just idyllic. Itโs also sustainable. It follows energy-saving practices in all its villas and rooms, housekeeping uses dry amenities from biodegradable sources, the resort sources local products, and the Food and Beverage unit keeps its own greenhouse. The resort also conserves water and energy, and works to reduce its waste.
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
Rixos Bab Al Bahr minimizes its environmental footprint by reducing its energy and water consumption, and limiting waste production. It also prioritizes ethical sourcing of local products.
Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island
Located in gorgeous Marjan Island, the Radisson Resort is committed to preserving the natural beauty of its surroundings. The Radisson Hotel Group aims to be Net Zero by 2050, introducing innovative solutions, like the 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings.
Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island
Currently closed for renovations and set to open in September, the Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island focuses on reducing its carbon, energy, water, and waste footprints to lessen environmental impact and help preserve natural resources.
Guests can also enjoy organic produce from local sources and from the hotelโs own organic garden. Low-impact dietary restrictions, like veganism, are also available at the hotelโs restaurants.
Mำงvenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
Mำงvenpick Resort follows a number of eco-friendly practices, including educational activities for kids, like the Starfish Adventure Kids. The program organizes tree planting exercises and local excursions, teaching kids the value of the environment. Guests can also book eco-conscious activities to discover and enjoy.
Mangrove Hotel RAK
Mangrove Hotel is located near one of Ras Al Khaimahโs protected resources: the mangroves. As such, its operations follow environmental considerations. Its Silver Certification indicates strong performance in the regionโs commitment to sustainable tourism.
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah follows several sustainability initiatives, such as reducing its energy, water, and gas consumption, improving waste management, and educating guests and staff on minimizing environmental footprint.
The hotel also uses a platform that keeps track, measures, and reports on its carbon footprint called Green Engage. The platform offers more than 200 green solutions.
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island
Hampton by Hilton is committed to achieving net-zero in waste. One of its efforts has been the installation of a biodigester, which turns Hamptonโs food waste into reusable energy. The biodigester has diverted over 58 tons of inedible food waste from landfills and more than 240 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from the atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy their undisturbed sea views, knowing Hampton by Hilton is doing its part in keeping the environment safe and clean.
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa Marjan Island
As part of the Hilton Hotel Group, DoubleTree is committed to sustainability, pledging to cut 50% of its waste by 2030. Much like Hampton by Hilton, the luxurious resort and spa has installed an innovative biodigester to meet this promise. DoubleTree by Hilton also works with Ocean Bottle to collect 648 kg of plastic waste from coastal villages.
Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton can enjoy little eco-friendly touches, like plantable print pens and sustainable water bottles and bags.
Where to Eat
Food offers one of the easiest ways for you to travel with purpose, helping you reduce pollution and contribute to environmental preservation efforts. For example, switching to a vegan or plant-based diet can cut wildlife destruction by 66% and water use by 54%, and lead to 75% less climate-heating emissions.
Many of the best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah not only serve up delectable dishes, but they also embed sustainability with diner experiences. This could be in the form of locally sourced produce, which most farmers cultivate organically without the need for pesticides and herbicides. Seasonal eating is also another sustainable practice, which reduces handling and processing, preserving the natural flavors and textures of the produce.
Whether youโre craving fresh local seafood, organic farm-to-table fare, or traditional Emirati dishes made with a modern, eco-conscious twist, youโll find plenty of options that let you savor flavor while preserving the environment.
Farmhouse by Syrco
Led by Michelin-starred chef Syrco Bakker, this fine dining restaurant is located in The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah in Al Wadi Desert. The restaurant practices chef Bakkerโs philosophy of delivering a unique culinary experience rooted in nature, traceability, and transparency.
Farmhouse by Syrco highlights local flavors and responsibly sourced ingredients. The Ras Al Khaimah restaurant works with local fishermen and farmers, ensuring freshness and supporting a sustainable food ecosystem in the emirate. On Bakkerโs first visit, the chef immediately recognized the great opportunity to showcase Ras Al Khaimahโs products along with its traditions and heritage.
The menu changes as the season changes, with dishes made from produce grown on-site and showcasing local ingredients.
Banan Beach
Banan Beach, located on Al Marjan Island, is a glamping site. The chic campground celebrates the โback-to-basicsโ living with buildings made from repurposed materials, reducing waste from ending up in the landfill. Its handmade chalets and tents are created from locally sourced, recycled, and biodegradable materials.
Guests have several dining options, which include an in-house restaurant serving dishes with vegan options and made from locally-sourced ingredients.
Locally grown produce allows Banan Beach to support a shorter supply chain, reducing transportation emissions and minimizing spoilage during transit. The campground also contributes to seasonal eating, which aligns with ecological cycles and minimizes environmental impact.
1484 by Puro
Dine at the highest restaurant in the UAE and enjoy delightful dishes made from locally soured ingredients. These include olive oil, honey, and olives, all grown and farmed within Jebel Jais.
By supporting local farmers, 1484 minimizes its carbon footprint through reduced transportation emissions and allows for a shorter farm-to-table approach. The restaurant further strengthens local communities and economies, reinforcing self-sufficiency and resiliency.
The restaurantโs menu also includes healthy options, like vegetarian and vegan dishes.
In addition, all packaging is biodegradable.
The building and furniture are made out of recycled shipping containers and wooden pallets.
Lexington Grill & Bar
This Waldorf Astoria fine dining restaurant leads the hotelโs sustainability efforts. Blending refined dishes with meticulously sourced ingredients, the Lexington Grill & Bar is a standout destination for eco-conscious foodies.
The elegantly plated dishes feature sustainably caught seafood, grain-fed beef, and locally sourced produce, among others. This is a restaurant that not only cares deeply about where the food comes from, but is also judicious about how itโs prepared. Waste is minimal as chefs prepare ingredients, from nose to tail, from root to stem.
What to Do
From attractions with purpose to cultural and natural conservation, youโll never run out of places to see and things to do in the emirate.
Whatโs included in your itinerary depends on who youโre with and how long youโre visiting. The best ones will be low-impact activities, such as kayaking through mangrove forests with friends who share your love of nature and wildlife observation tours with your curious kids.
Explore these top things to do in Ras Al Khaimah.
Drive through nature, watch birds, and stargaze in Al Wadi Nature Reserve
Ras Al Khaimah is known as the โNature Emirateโ with good reason. Al Wadi Nature Reserve, situated in a breathtaking desert landscape, is just one of the many places that demonstrate this idea.
The protected land is carefully preserved. You can go bird watching during the day or stargazing at night.
Tour the Al Rams mangroves on an eco-adventure
Mangrove tours take you on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant and diverse ecosystem. Youโll spot elegant pink flamingoes and thousands of spectacular birds on a paddleboard, a kayak, or from a boat.
Mangroves serve as the first line of defence for coastal communities, acting as natural barriers that prevent erosion and shield shorelines from storm surges and flooding.
Challenging Adventures offers eco-friendly kayaking and paddle boarding tours of the mangroves, whilst Suwaidi Pearl Farm offers environmentally friendly mangrove tours on a traditional fishing boat as part of the visit.
Visit the Suwaidi Pearl farm
The Suwaidi Pearl Farm follows an eco-friendly approach to protect the marine environment. Expect a basic, simple, and authentic pearl farm powered by solar panels.
Located in northernmost Ras Al Khaimah, Al Rams, the Suwaidi Pearl Farm offers tours on a traditional fishing boat. Youโll hear about courageous stories of fishermen and learn about traditional diving techniques as well as innovative modern pearl farming techniques.
Join a summit series or practice morning yoga at Jebel Jais with Camp 1770
Camp 1770 is the highest camp in the UAE, so youโll have spectacular views for your morning yoga. Itโs the perfect site for enjoying the golden sunset and practicing mindful yoga as the sun rises over the magnificent mountains of Jebel Jais.
Explore the heritage village of Al Jazeera Al Hamra
Cultural conservation is an integral part of sustainable development because heritage links social, economic, and environmental systems. A visit to the heritage village of Al Jazeera Al Hamra makes perfect sense. Itโs the only remaining historical pearling village in the Gulf region. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Tentative List.
Climb to the top of Dhayah Fort
Also on the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Tentative List, Dhayah Fort is an important historical monument and the only remaining hill fort across the UAE.
Camp under the stars at Bear Grylls Explorers Camp
Reconnect with nature and teach your kids to appreciate the environment by camping at this natural adventure hub. While youโre here, we suggest taking on the survival skills courses.
The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp has received the Responsible RAK Silver Certification.
Enjoy a zero-waste picnic at the Hidden Oasis in Wadi Shah
Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but pictures. Follow this simple guide to a zero-waste picnic at the lovely Hidden Oasis in hikerโs paradise, Wadi Shah. Everything you bring either has to be reusable or fully consumable; if leftovers canโt be helped, bring them back home with you to compost.
Ras Al Khaimah: Embracing Nature, Preserving Tomorrow
Eco-tourism in Ras Al Khaimah is not just a new wave of traveling. Itโs a lasting commitment. The northern emirate is dedicated to protecting the environment, celebrating cultural heritage, and offering meaningful experiences that connect you to the land and its people.
Discover a destination where comfort and conservation go hand in hand.
Get Ras Al Khaimah travel information today.
