Serenity, laughter and the fear of falling off a kayak: these three emotions summarize my day trip to Hatta.

Last year, on a sunny November morning, a group of eight excited first-year students, drove two and a half hours from NYU Abu Dhabi to a small exclave in Dubai that lies at the border between the Emirates and Oman, all the while squished together in a car and belting out lyrics in an attempt to entertain themselves along the way.

Image Courtesy of Sarah Afaneh

Nature is not an attribute that first comes to mind when one thinks of the UAE, yet it is all we were surrounded by at Hatta. From the massive mountains to the crystal blue waters, Hatta provided a necessary escape from looming deadlines and the bustle of city life into tranquility and peace of mind. Our trip there meant driving between mountains, until we found a vast lake between them at our destination: Hatta Dams.

While the most convenient way to get straight to Hatta from NYUAD is by car, it is also possible to take a public bus from Dubai. From Oud Metha station, the bus ride takes approximately two and a half hours and costs only 25 AED. Once at the Hatta bus station, it takes a quick five-minute taxi ride and 12 AED to reach the dams.

We spent the day at the lake, where we rented kayaks: a single one for 60 AED and a tandem — a kayak that fits two people — for 120 AED. Struggling to row in coordination, my heart alternated between racing as we almost tipped over and being at ease as we momentarily gained control of the kayak. Single kayaks, on the other hand, enabled a more relaxing venture, allowing the kayaker to be alone with their thoughts under a clear sky. Independent navigation also tends to mean finding yourself taking a different route than the crowd, but that only makes the trip more fulfilling. Regardless of the size, however, a kayaking experience always comes at the expense of sore arms.

Hatta Kayak also offers pedal boats for 150 AED per hour, and water bikes at 60, 120 and 180 AED per hour for single, double and triple sizes respectively, alongside electric boats at 300 to 600 AED per hour depending on their capacity.

The kayaks were on rent for a full day. So, we spent several hours enjoying the panoramic view, and (even more so) getting soaked by the turquoise waters in mini splash fights. Eventually, we gave in to our hunger and sore arms, and made our way back to the car. After spending a day in Hatta, you can either head back to campus or spend a day exploring Dubai.

Image Courtesy of Sarah Afaneh

Although we devoted our day to kayaking, Hatta most definitely has other places worth visiting, especially for history lovers. Hatta Heritage Village is a historical site thought to be over 2000 years old, and consists of its original buildings, two castles and a fort. It provides a snapshot of ancient life in the outskirts of Dubai.

For those more invested in the outdoors, Hatta has its own mountain bike trail for cycling as well as hiking routes in several Wadis. Some choose to spend a night camping under the stars (gear is available for rent from the NYUAD Athletics Department) and there are also a few hotels nearby in case someone wishes to extend their day trip to a weekend getaway.

Regardless of how you choose to explore it, Hatta enables you to disconnect from screens and find adventure beyond the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. A hidden spot of tranquility, it offers up a chance to explore the UAE and a perfect getaway from the Saadiyat bubble.