UAE summers are hot, but when the mercury rises, Ras Al Khaimah is the place to stay cool, thanks to its natural attractions, from the mountains to the sea, both offering thrilling sports and activities for visitors of all ages.
If chilling is more your thing, head to one of the destination’s world-class spas or for a fresh take on culture, check out the museum scene.
When the heat is on this summer, Ras Al Khaimah will help you keep you ice cool; here’s how.
Climb every mountain
Take your summer adventure to new heights without raising a sweat on Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak, with awe-inspiring vistas, thrilling activities and an appealing microclimate.
Towering 1,934 metres into the Ras Al Khaimah sky, temperatures are some 10°C cooler than at sea level, so during the summer months, Jebel Jais summit remains an average 10°C cooler compared to up to the other areas of the UAE.
If you are a nature-lover keen to explore, why not hike or bike the mountain trails, navigating the peaks and troughs of the mountain range and its ancient geology. Or if adrenalin-fuelled experiences are more your thing, take the ride of your life on Jais Flight, the world’s longest zipline, rocketing across ravines and canyons at 1,680 metres above sea level, at speeds of up to 150 kmph.
No matter what activity you choose you can refuel with a view at 1484 by Puro, the highest restaurant in the country at 1,484 metres above sea level. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea, offering hearty and healthy dishes, and of course, you can feast your eyes on the mountain panoramas while you dine. Booking is essential, so call +971 7 244 5018.
Get wet
There’s no better way to cool down than with a dip, and most of the hotels in Ras Al Khaimah offer temperature-controlled swimming pools, as well as access to beaches with an impressive range of waters ports that make the most of the Arabian Gulf’s calm and warm waters.
There really is something for everyone including parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, water-skiing, inflatables, wakeboarding, flyboard and fly fishing, plus snorkelling, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.
Be adventurous at dawn
Ras Al Khaimah is best explored first thing in the morning during summer, so get up early and pack it all in before the heat kicks in. From an Arabian Gulf boat cruise to a 4X4 adventure through the desert dunes, you can watch the sun rise in spectacular locations across the destination.
If you fancy a paddle at dawn or dusk, try sea or mangrove kayaking, with Challenging Adventure offering both, led by trained professional instructors. Paddle through mangroves and look out for fish, flamingos and birds galore. With 65 km of coastline, there is a diverse and vibrant ecosystem to explore.
Chill in the spa
With Ras Al Khaimah home to world-class spas in coastal, city or desert locations, some ‘me time’ should be on your agenda, and during the summer, book a treatment in the middle of the day to escape the heat.
Healing and cooling waters await at The Rainforest at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, where European hydrothermal culture is combined with Middle Eastern bathing rituals to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Take a journey through affusion showers, an aroma steam, brine cavern, hammam, an ice igloo, a rain walk and sole therapy, all sequenced to enable the body to cool.
Bathing rituals are also a highlight at Spa InterContinental at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, where a restorative Turkish Hammam is designed to exfoliate and nourish. There is sunrise yoga here too for another beat-the-heat activity.
Dive into history
The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah not only houses many of the objects discovered during archaeological excavations, surveys and scientific research projects, providing insight into the Emirate’s culture and traditions, but is housed in a traditional Arabic wind tower (Barajeel), which was built to keep cool during the hotter months, so you can experience natural air conditioning.
The exhibit rooms are located around a pleasant inner courtyard and showcase discoveries from the earliest settlers through to the late Islamic period. The interactive ethnographical display shows traditional life in the Emirate, pearl diving, date agriculture, fishing, farming and ancient architecture.
Explore the great indoors
Although nothing beats Ras Al Khaimah’s great outdoors, there are plenty of indoor activities too – just head to the malls. Retail therapy is the obvious pursuit, but there is plenty of fun and entertainment to be had too.
At RAK Mall you’ll find Sparky’s, an entertainment hub with rides and attractions to keep you busy for days including a climbing wall, mini bowling alley, ice rink, indoor go-karting, a football academy, 5D cinema, billiards, dexterity games and video games.
