Set sail and explore Abu Dhabi’s islands

When you get caught up in the daily grind of city life, it’s easy to forget that we live on a beautiful desert island that’s surrounded by several dozen other smaller and/or less developed ones.

Whether you want to explore an old side of Abu Dhabi to soak up some history, or want to escape Castaway style and soak up the sun, Abu Dhabi’s neighbouring islands are worth exploring.

Here’s our pick of some of the best.

1. Delma Island

Located about 40km off the coast of Abu Dhabi is the home of one of the oldest known permanent settlements in the UAE.

The island was once famous for producing pearls and having a supply of fresh water from wells and springs, which made the land surprisingly fertile –  and it still has many  farms and plantations today. It also boasts some of the region’s earliest evidence of date palm cultivation and Mesopotamian pottery.

The island is home to more than 6,000 residents and four schools, but is also a great tourist destination off the beaten track. While on the island you can visit a date juice factory, ancient mosques or the Gallery of Antiquities.

To get there, take the DoT ferry service from Jabal Dhanna. Tickets from AED 20 per adult. Visit: dot.abudhabi.ae/en/info/ferry_services

Alternatively, there are flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Dalma Airport.
Visit: www.dalmaisland.com 

2. Sir Bani Yas Island

We are major fans of this natural island reserve 170km southwest of Abu Dhabi. It was set up as a nature reserve in 1971 by the late President Sheikh Zayed, who was keen to protect endangered animals, particularly those native to the region. This vision led to an island that’s brimming with wildlife from peacocks, flamingos and sand gazelles to Arabian Oryx, hyenas and cheetahs.

The 1,400-hectare park is home to over 13,000 animals and various conservation projects including breeding and relocation programmes. It also has 36 archaeological sites including the remains of a pre-Islamic monastery.

Visitors can stay at any of the island’s three beautiful Anantara properties: Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Al Yamm Villa Resort or Al Sahel Villa Resort.

While on the island you can join in various activities including a wildlife drive, archery, nature walks, scuba diving, land sailing, horse riding and more.

Once you’ve booked your accommodation, you can arrange a flight with Rotana Jet, which takes off from Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal 2. Prices start from AED 200 for adults and AED 100 for children each way. If you want more flexibility, you can make the two-and-a-half-hour drive down E11 to the Sir Bani Yas jetty in Al Gharbia. The hotels arrange free water taxis to the island at various intervals throughout the day.

Contact: www.sirbaniyasisland.com
www.anantara.com 

3. Al Maya Island

Technically, Al Maya isn’t itself an island – it’s more of a resort that sits on the edge of the popular Bahraini Island. Operated and maintained by Abu Dhabi Country Club, the resort offers day trips as well as overnight stays and a complimentary ferry from the mainland.

There are six villas, each with a private pool. There’s also a large communal pool, private beach with sunbeds, a restaurant and a watersports centre where you can try kayaking, wakeboarding, banana boat rides and more.

It’s a major party venue too. Upcoming events include Maya Fridays on 18th September and Immaculate Touch on 25th September.

Shuttle boats run at various times. Day passes cost AED 100 per person. Accommodation starts from AED 2,900++.

Contact: 02 667 7777 www.almayauae.com  

4. Al Futaisi Island

In its heyday, Futaisi was home to an ecotourism resort, wildlife sanctuary and golf course.

Today the island, which is owned by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, still has its share of flora and fauna from gazelles and osprey to lizards and rabbits –
and we’re told construction of a two-storey hotel is under way
with further developments in
the pipeline.

While on the island you can get a bus tour, use the pool, play billiards, have a barbecue, go fishing (if you’ve brought your own equipment) and play on the beach. There’s a restaurant too.

Keen to visit? It’s only about eight kilometres off the coast so it’s easy to get to. There’s a free ferry that runs from Al Bateen ferry port every hour on the hour between 9am and 6pm.

There also chalets on the island, which you can rent for AED 1,000 per night on weekdays or AED 1,200 on weekends.

If you’ve got your own boat, you can dock for free and enjoy the island’s facilities at leisure.

AED 200 per adult, AED 150 per child aged six to 12, AED 50 for children under six. Daily 9am-6pm. Contact: 02 666 660

5. Al Sammaliah Island

This island off Al Raha Beach is considered one of the emirate’s most picturesque – it’s even on the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s list of shooting locations.

Located about 12km northeast of Abu Dhabi, the 13 square kilometre private island is part of Emirates Heritage Club, which organises seasonal forums where students can take part in various activities including horse riding, sailing, swimming, heritage activities and more. The island is also home to a variety of wildlife and a traditional Emirati village.

Visiting is by invitation only, but Capt. Tony’s boats skirt around the island on their sunset and daylight cruises; so you can catch a glimpse of the island’s traditional houses, wild gazelles and mangrove forests while watching the sun go down at sea. From AED 250 per adult, AED 150 for kids aged six-12.

Contact Capt. Tony’s: 02 650 7175 www.captaintonys.ae

6. Saadiyat Island

Known as the cultural hub of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat will soon be home to international galleries and a national museum. But while the world waits with bated breath for these iconic structures to take shape, visitors can play on a stunning beachfront golf course, head to one of the two existing five-star hotels for a meal or spa treatment, chill on the public beach or in the exclusive Saadiyat Beach Club, visit the organic market on Saturdays, see a performance at NYU Abu Dhabi, or join an art workshop at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

There are plenty of other plans for Saadiyat including more residential villas and apartments; Rotana, Shangri-La and Jumeirah resorts; and The District shopping centre.

Visit: www.saadiyat.ae 

7. Nurai Island

When we think of island getaways, Nurai is exactly what springs to mind. If you want to escape the city, have lunch with a view, or just see a different side of Abu Dhabi, this is it.

The island’s hotel, Zaya Nurai, is he flagship development of the UAE – based Zaya retreats. The property is billed as a”32 ultra-villa luxury boutique retreat” with a couple of dining outlets, water and land-based sports, a spa, art workshops and yoga classes.

To access the island, you must have a restaurant or room reservation. A ferry takes guests on a 10-minute boat ride from the welcome centre opposite Saadiyat Beach Residences at designated times.

The resort is currently closed while the restaurants receive some TLC, but is scheduled to reopen in early-mid September.

Contact: 02 506 6222 www.zayanuraiisland.com

8. Dolphin Island

The small mangrove island, located behind Yas Island, is more of a sandbank as it disappears at high tide – which makes visiting it al the more exciting. It got its name from the team at Capt. Tony’s, who regularly spot dolphins in the area.

The only way to access the island is with a private boat, or by joining the Dolphin Bay Eco Boat Tour with Capt. Tony’s. Marine biologist Arabella Willing joins guests to explain about local wildlife like crabs and dolphins as well as importance of mangrove forests.

When on the island you can also swim, snorkel, relax on the beach and dolphin-watch.

AED 400 per adult, AED 300  per child six-12, including sandwiches and soft drinks. Tour departs from Yas Marina. Saturdays, times vary depending on tide.

Contact: 02 650 7175 www.captaintonys.ae 

9. Yas Island

While Yas Island was built around the now iconic racetrack, it’s also home to activities and outlets that attracts visitors from far and wide year-round.

There are seven hotels on the island, all with various restaurants, bars and spas. Then there’s the enormous Yas Mall with a selection of international stores, restaurants and entertainment options; two theme parks; a golf course; a football club; and Yas Marina with its top notch gym, dining options, a physiotherapist, eco boat tour company and so much more.

The island is also home to some of the city’s best concerts and events hosted in du Forum and du Arena. And even when it’s not F1, you can take advantage of the circuit with training nights, drag racing, karting experiences and more.

What does the future hold? Yas will soon be home residential apartments and a Warner Bros theme park.

Visit: www.yasisland.ae