You can see a vast forest of lush, green trees with intricate roots and a water channel snaking through the middle – plus hundreds of bird and plant species including the greater flamingo, western reef heron, and mottled crab. For a unique view, head to a high floor of one of the nearby hotels to see the true scale of the forest. It’s even possible to get up close by taking a two-hour kayak tour through the middle of the trees. Mangroves are groups of trees and shrubs that grow in the water, creating a habitat for biodiversity – and protecting against tidal surges, purifying surrounding water, and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Taking a boat cruise is a great way to teach the little ones about the biodiversity around us.

Fees: The mangroves are totally free to look at, but private operators do charge for excursions at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel. A two-hour kayak tour costs approximately AED160 at the time of publishing.