With over two hundred islands surrounding Abu Dhabi, why stick to one spot of land?

Written by: Charlie Kennedy

Abu Dhabi Week goes island hopping to discover some sandy delights dotted along the capital’s waters

Did you know that Abu Dhabi is an ‘archipelagic’ island? No, neither did we. But after a little Google searching, we do know that this means we’re spoilt for choice with a spattering of little islands strewn along our coastline. Fancying ourselves as explorers, we set out to uncover some idyllic spots perfect for a weekend break or even just a day of escaping to white sands and surrounding sea.

Desert Islands
First stop on our mini adventure is a trip over to the desert islands, and we’re more excited than a school child on their first day of the summer holidays. The desert islands comprise eight Maldives-style sandy spots, and we’re happily hoping to be marooned there - just as long as we pack the right supplies.

Sir Bani Yas
We stop off first at Sir Bani Yas Island. Named for the Bani Yas tribe who were among the first inhabitants of what it now the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the island was originally developed as a private wildlife reserve by the late founder and president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Today Sir Bani Yas Island is a nature-based sanctuary with a premium resort hotel. It is home to some of Arabia’s endangered species such as the Arabian Oryx. It also has some more unusual inhabitants, like herds of giraffes. Altogether, the island currently has over 23 varieties of free-roaming animals.

The island takes a good bit of exploring and we’re glad to be wearing comfy shoes Sir Bani Yas stretches over 87 square kilometres, making it the largest natural island in the whole of the UAE (excluding Abu Dhabi city itself).

While we toy with the idea of making Sir Bani Yas our new home, we’re told that it’s not only the land that is home to some rare and wonderful wildlife. The surrounding waters are inhabited by apparently very friendly dolphins, sea turtles and even dugongs. Thanks to a no-fishing zone around Sir Bani Yas, implemented by Sheikh Zayed, the island’s waters have more sea life than any other area off Abu Dhabi’s coast.

Dalma Island
Dusting off some extra sand, we head off to Dalma Island, also known as Delma – and to some, Pearl Island. Abu Dhabi was once home to a vibrant and busy pearl trade, and this historic area is like a step back in time – and a standing tribute to the capital’s past Dalma is actually a volcanic island, but this hasn’t put off the 6,000 people who live here. In fact, recent archaeological discoveries confirm that civilisation on the island could date back as much as 7,000 years.

Dalma’s terrain is a combination of mountain, hills, valleys and plains, and that makes for some great exploration on foot. Lush vegetation covers much of the island and with a very peaceful feel to the area, it’s like stepping into an undiscovered hidden oasis – we’re starting to feel a little like extras from the TV show Lost.
A trip to the heritage-focused island isn’t complete until you take a wander around Dalma museum. Once the home to Muhammad Bin Jasim al-Maraykhi, a successful pearl merchant, the building dates back to 1931 and today stands as an interesting glimpse into a past way of life on the island.

 

And there’s more...
We’re already feeling like well travelled explorers – and we’ve only just begun. The Desert Islands also include Marsa Jabel Dhanna and the Discovery Islands, a cluster of recently-discovered (the name’s a bit of a giveaway) sandy stretches that are dotted just a short distance from Dalma and Sir Bani Yas.

Al Futaisi Island
We’re really keen to head over to Al Futaisi Island, a quiet, mainly undisturbed island that today provides a perfect home to many varieties of wildlife.

Al Futaisi is another little historical gem. It’s thought that the island’s history is likely to date back hundreds of years, with the discovery of old water wells, an ancient mosque and a graveyard. The island also has a traditional mud-brick Arabian fort.

With the option of discovering the Island on a bike or even a minibus tour, we sight gazelles running free, ospreys nesting on outcrops of rocks, and hidden lagoons in the depths of mangroves. For those who fancy a complete getaway from the city for a short break, the island has its own little resort with a range of chalets and suites for a complete, luxurious escape.

Before ending our short trip we seek out one of the island’s many beautiful, discreet beaches – accessible by a long, narrow bridge spanning a lagoon. The island is nothing less than a natural paradise; and with its sense of unspoilt tranquillity, it’s definitely one of our favourites. Many endangered animals and birds have found sanctuary here, including the sea eagle and green sea turtle. We think we’d quite like to stay and seek some sanctuary here too ...

Coming soon...

We can’t wait to head out to some of Abu Dhabi’s latest floating additions.

Saadiyat Island
Set to be the cultural hub of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat will become home to local outposts of The Louvre and the Guggenheim Museum, two of the most influential names in the art world; it will also have Abu Dhabi’s Maritime Museum and a Zaha Hadid designed concert hall. Saadiyat translates as ‘island of happiness’ and it’s hoped that’s exactly what it’ll be when it’s completed in 2018.

Yas Island
Probably the most talked about island of the moment, Yas Island will be home to a first-class Formula One track as the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix races into the capital at the end of October. The island will also have a theme park, a number of hotels and restaurants, a championship golf course, marinas, and a large residential area.

Al Reem Island
Already rising on the skyline by Abu Dhabi’s Tourist Club district , the development of Al Reem Island will offer a mix of business, commercial and residential districts, as well as a host of recreational facilities. Located just a mere 500 meters away from downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island will connect to the rest of the capital via a series of bridges.

Lulu Island
Until recently, island explorers and families could hop aboard a ferryboat from the Marina breakwater and make their way over to this manmade island for a break on the beach and wander around the sandy terrain. Now set for development, the island is closed to the public; but when finished, it will offer residential areas as well as hotels, restaurants and activities for a full and fun day out.

Hop along!
For more information on any of the islands, visit:
www.visitabudhabi.ae
www.adache.ae
www.tdic.ae

Other little treasure islands
We’re planning our next escape to one of these little islands – and packing a bigger bag so we can stay just that bit longer. We just hope the rest of the office won’t wonder where we’ve disappeared to...

Bahraini Island
Known for its unspoilt beaches, Bahraini Island, just a short distance from Lulu Island, is a popular stopping-off point for keen sailors and those in-the-know with a boat at the ready.

Umm Qasar
Another small speck along Abu Dhabi’s expansive coastline that was new to us, Umm Qasar is a tiny spot just off Al Gharbia. It has an active little port and is a huge attraction for keen bird watchers.

Caption: Discovery Islands, off Abu Dhabi’s Western Region coast, Arabian Oryx on Sir Bani Yas, Desert Islands Resort, Barbary sheep

Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 18