The unearthing of oil changed the fate of Abu Dhabi. Once home to a seagoing community, the city is now industrialised. The now-obsolete vocation, pearling has a long history going back a thousand years, but it still evokes an interest in both locals and foreigners.
Pearling in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi once claimed a wealth of sea treasures, and there’s evidence to suggest that most of them made their way around the world – historians now believe that Abu Dhabi pearls were used by Vikings as well.
The Abu Dhabi Peral Journey
A discovery made in 2019 increased the popularity of the Abu Dhabi Pearl Journey – archaeologists found a pearl believed to be 8,000 years old, which also happens to be the oldest pearl in recorded history. After the discovery, 5-star hotels in Abu Dhabi became increasingly popular with history buffs.
Duration
One of the sought-after Emirati experiences, the pearl journey, begins at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. The 90-minute journey takes you through the waterway between Hudayriat Island and the mainland, aboard a traditional-style boat.
Highlights
For comfort, the boat floor is laid with Arabic-style cushions. Guests are offered refreshments and a detailed description of pearling by a knowledgeable guide. The highlight of the journey, digging a pearl out of an oyster, will come at the end of the journey. The boat journey is extremely relaxing, and it’s an opportunity to view Abu Dhabi from a historical perspective.
