A couple of weeks ago I was asked to help out with a kayak photoshoot in the mangroves over at Khor Kalba on the east coast. Here are a couple of the shots the photographer (Pete) emailed me
Kalba Kayak Photoshoot
Outdoor Educator, Adventure Sports Coach and Instructor Trainer
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to help out with a kayak photoshoot in the mangroves over at Khor Kalba on the east coast. Here are a couple of the shots the photographer (Pete) emailed me
Ian Ganderton 
This is absolutely beautiful. I didn’t know they had such places in the UAE. Kalba is a must-see then!
Its a very small compact area but is definitely worth a visit. While we were paddling around there was loads of fish jumping, couple landed on kayaks which is always funny, and plenty of birdlife around too. Its very accessible with a 4×4 track running along side the mangrove.
Because we were busy with the photo shoot we didnt get to explore so I need to go back to do so.
The article is in the latest edition of the Sharjah Destination magazine and one of the photos made the front cover. I havent managed to see a copy yet but will post up a scan as soon as I get one
The secret is out! We’ve been operating in Khor Kalba for a while! Truly a gem in the middle east! Awesome photos & Great Blog!
Cheers
Hi! I’ve just been looking through your blog as I do some research about buying a kayak and planning some trips. My husband and I are looking at a small two person inflatable kayak to paddle through the mangroves. I think inflatable would be best because currently we are on a budget, and we also don’t have space in our car for a proper sea kayak. We are not planning on doing anything at all challenging, like going on the open sea or paddling around other boats, (although your trips certainly make it look tempting). Is an inflatable kayak sufficient for that? We are not looking to do long or physically intensive trips. We just want to get out and experience nature. I did a short trip through the mangroves with a guided company in Abu Dhabi– it was incredibly easy and the water was very shallow, and made me think we could definitely do it without a guide. Of course we will keep floatation devices and first aid supplies, but are there any other safety risks that we should be aware of in the mangroves?
Hi Rachel,
Modern inflatables are a great way to explore the mangroves. There are a couple of things to bear in mind:
1- Inflatables are typically affected by the wind more than more rigid construction materials. This does vary design to design of course but its something to bear in mind. Side wind in particular can cause inflatable kayaks to get pushed around. Learn the typical weather patterns here (check this blog post https://ianganderton.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/a-reason-to-get-up-in-the-morning-because-the-surf-is-likely-to-be-better/ to understand heat generated wind patterns) and of course always check the weather forecast before you venture on the water.
2- The tides in the mangroves can cause significant currents which you wont be able to fight against meaning you could get swept somewhere you dont want too. These are predictable (“time and tide waits for no man”) but require a bit of knowledge and forethought. I use the British Admiralty’s Tidal prediction service Easy Tide http://www.ukho.gov.uk/easytide/EasyTide/index.aspx and you need to think about how the water is going to flow in and out of the mangroves, where the pinch points are (these will be where the current is strongest) and which direction the flow is going to be going.
The above advice is the same for any sea kayaker but because of the lower performance of an inflatable needs to be heeded more carefully. Check the weather forecast and understand its implications on your plans and check the tides and understand their implications on your plans. Of course change your plans if things dont look right some how.
Hope this helps
Ian