The Whitsunday Coast is an ideal jumping off point for the Great Barrier Reef which is located 50 km from Airlie. Cruises leave Airlie Beach on a regular basis. Cruise Whitsundays and Fantasea Cruises both offer a chance to see the reef at its best. Snorkelling, semi-submersible and glass bottom boat rides, helicopter scenic flights and diving opportunities are all available with both companies.

A Bedouin desert camp complete with tents made from goat’s hair, a bustling souq, a mud hut village and a fishing harbour are all reconstructions that make fascinating displays in the Emirates Heritage Village. Visitors can sometimes try their hand at traditional crafts like pottery or weaving, which are demonstrated in a series of small workshops within the village.

AlMaqta'a Fort is a watchtower built over 200 years ago to protect the sea crossing from the mainland to Abu Dhabi. Constructed in traditional style with soft sand-coloured stone and ornately carved wooden features, it remains almost intact and serves as an important testament to the city's past.

Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, was built around the 1790s as the city's first permanent structure, initially serving as a watchtower to oversee coastal trade routes and protect the growing settlement. Over the centuries, it has been the home of the ruling family, the seat of government, a consultative council, and a national archive. Today, it stands as a living memorial and narrator of Abu Dhabi's history. The main entrance is adorned with colorful Islamic-style tiles, and inside, centuries-old mashrabiya screens and carved wooden doors showcase the enduring architectural beauty.