The sea temperature at Abu Dhabi today is 32 °C (90 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 31.7 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 34.2 °C to 32 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 21 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.0°C / 69.8°F | 21.5°C / 70.8°F | 22.4°C / 72.4°F |
| February | 21.0°C / 69.9°F | 21.5°C / 70.7°F | 22.1°C / 71.8°F |
| March | 22.8°C / 73.0°F | 23.5°C / 74.3°F | 24.0°C / 75.3°F |
| April | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.4°C / 79.5°F | 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| May | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.6°C / 85.4°F | 30.5°C / 86.9°F |
| June | 31.8°C / 89.3°F | 32.5°C / 90.5°F | 33.2°C / 91.8°F |
| July | 33.5°C / 92.3°F | 34.0°C / 93.2°F | 34.6°C / 94.4°F |
| August | 34.0°C / 93.3°F | 34.5°C / 94.2°F | 34.8°C / 94.7°F |
| September | 33.1°C / 91.7°F | 33.8°C / 92.8°F | 34.3°C / 93.7°F |
| October | 31.2°C / 88.2°F | 31.7°C / 89.0°F | 32.3°C / 90.1°F |
| November | 27.7°C / 81.8°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F |
| December | 23.7°C / 74.7°F | 24.4°C / 75.9°F | 24.8°C / 76.7°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.7°C / 67.5°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 21.9°C / 71.4°F |
| February | 20.0°C / 67.9°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F | 22.3°C / 72.2°F |
| March | 22.2°C / 72.0°F | 23.5°C / 74.3°F | 24.8°C / 76.7°F |
| April | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| May | 28.8°C / 83.9°F | 30.3°C / 86.5°F | 31.3°C / 88.3°F |
| June | 31.4°C / 88.5°F | 32.7°C / 90.8°F | 33.5°C / 92.4°F |
| July | 33.1°C / 91.6°F | 34.3°C / 93.7°F | 35.1°C / 95.1°F |
| August | 33.5°C / 92.2°F | 34.9°C / 94.8°F | 35.9°C / 96.5°F |
| September | 31.9°C / 89.4°F | 33.3°C / 91.9°F | 34.4°C / 93.9°F |
| October | 29.7°C / 85.4°F | 30.8°C / 87.5°F | 31.8°C / 89.3°F |
| November | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F | 28.3°C / 83.0°F |
| December | 22.4°C / 72.2°F | 23.3°C / 74.0°F | 24.5°C / 76.0°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Abu Dhabi holidays
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a city built largely on an island in the Persian Gulf and joined to the mainland by bridges. Its waterfront Corniche runs for about 8 km along the north-western shore, lined with parks, cycle paths and a public beach.
Beaches
Corniche Beach, in the centre of Abu Dhabi, is a long strip of sand with lifeguards, showers and shaded seating, and the skyline rises directly behind it. Saadiyat Beach, on Saadiyat Island about 20 minutes' drive to the north-east, is a natural beach backed by protected dunes where hawksbill turtles nest, with a public stretch next to the resort beaches. The sea temperature on this page is measured off the Emirates Palace beach, south-west of Corniche Beach.
Things to do
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its white marble domes and courtyards, is open to visitors of all faiths who follow its dress code. On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi sits beneath a vast latticed dome by the water. Yas Island has Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, as well as the Yas Marina Circuit. In the centre, Qasr Al Hosn is a fort whose watchtower dates from the 18th century, and Qasr Al Watan is a working presidential palace that welcomes visitors. Kayak trips through the Eastern Mangroves and desert safaris with dune drives are popular half-day outings.
Weather and best time to visit
At Abu Dhabi the sea stays above 21 °C / 70 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Abu Dhabi has a hot desert climate. From about June to September daytime heat often passes 40 °C / 104 °F and humidity is high, so beach time shifts to early morning and evening. November to March is the most comfortable and busiest period, with warm days and mild nights, and rain falls on only a few days a year, mostly in winter. The shamal, a north-westerly wind, can bring dust and a choppy sea.
Hotels and where to stay
Hotels along the Corniche and in central Abu Dhabi keep the public beach, restaurants and shopping malls within easy reach, while Saadiyat Island has beachfront resorts close to the museums. Yas Island suits theme-park holidays, with hotels next to the parks and the marina.
Signature hotels: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental (West Corniche) · The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort (Saadiyat Island)
Airport and getting there
Zayed International Airport (AUH) lies about 30 km from central Abu Dhabi, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, while public buses take longer. Dubai is roughly 140 km to the north-east, about an hour and a half by road, and intercity buses connect the two cities.