Navigate through Abu Dhabi’s most alluring islands

More than two hundred islands lie nearby of Abu Dhabi’s lineation, scattered across the Gulf below unclouded blue skies. simply accessible islands like Saadiyat and Yas have blossomed into cultural and amusement hubs, whereas additional remote isles like Bu Tinah, home to vulnerable inexperienced and marine turtle turtles, stay out-of-bounds to any or all however marine conservationists.

No 2 Abu Dhabi islands area unit quite identical, thus whether or not you request a glimpse of the previous peninsula, a safari-style journey, or just kicking back on a beach, the emirate has Associate in Nursing island that matches the bill. Here area unit 5 of the foremost exciting isles to explore.

The other aspect of Abu Dhabi’s lineation

At the center of the ultra-modern town of Abu Dhabi is Associate in Nursing ancient system home to incalculable species – the angiospermous tree park. Noukhada journey Company offers regular kayaking expeditions (noukhada.ae). Produced by Lonely Planet for Etihad Airways. All editorial views area unit those of Lonely Planet alone and mirror our policy of editorial independence and tendency.

Sir Bani Yas: the life island

Wildlife rules on this conservation-focused island. Once the non-public retreat of the late tribal sheik Zayed, Sir Bani Yas Island may be a modern Arabian Ark for quite thirteen,000 native and introduced animals, together with antelope, gazelle, camelopard and even cat. A 4100-hectare life park covers simply over 0.5 the island; 3 Anantara resorts supply daily game drives and luxury accommodation in thatched-roof lodges and solid ground villas. daily trip is feasible, however you’re best off staying long to form the foremost of the resort activities. Once you’ve place your binoculars away, you'll mountain-bike through sandy wadis, kayak through mangroves encompassing the island or explore the remains of a pre-Islamic religious residence.

How to get there: Sir Bani Yas may be a 250-kilometre drive from Abu Dhabi town, followed by a 15-minute ferry crossing. otherwise you will splash out on a seaplane from Abu Dhabi or city.

Halat Al Bahrani: the party island

Every weekend, dozens of enjoyment boats dock at this for the most part undeveloped, T-shaped island (also called ‘Al Maya’), to picnic and play on its white-sand beaches. within the north of the island, Al Maya Island Resort is that the coolest place to get on a Fri afternoon, because the brunette and delightful flock to the long-running pool party ably named Maya Fridays. native DJs combine house beats by the massive pool, whereas partygoers sip cocktails at the swim-up bar and dance barefoot on the sand. control from March to Gregorian calendar month, the party kicks off at 11am till 9pm and entry prices Dhs100 (free for girls before 1pm).

How to get there: The resort offers free 10-minute boat transfers to Maya Fridays. They depart from a dock next to the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana edifice.

Delma: the heritage island

Inhabited for quite 7000 years, this once-bustling hub for the Gulf’s pearl commerce business is currently Abu Dhabi’s last residential desert island. situated northwest of Sir Bani Yas, Delma Island may be a at ease reasonably place wherever the swish of swaying date palms is interrupted solely by the decision to prayer reechoing from a trio of century-old mosques. Visit Al Meraikhi House, a renovated former pearl trader’s home that's a fine example of 19th-century Emirati design. Inside, the repository includes displays of Mesopotamian pottery and proof of feather palm cultivation qualitative analysis from the fifth millennium BC. Delma is slowly developing, except for currently expect terribly basic accommodation at the island’s solely edifice.

How to get there: Ferries depart daily from Jabal Al Dhanna, additionally called Mugharaq Port (1hr forty five min, Dhs20).

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Nurai: the non-public island

Tantalisingly on the brink of the town, Nurai Island may be a sawed-off non-public island with gin-clear waters and swathes of powdery sand. If you’re feeling flush, you'll splurge on one in all the butler-served beach villas at Zaya Nurai Island Resort.

On a smaller budget? The resort welcomes day-trippers, too. Flop in a very hammock and work on your tan, bob on expansive unicorns within the heat Gulf waters, or feast on recent food together with your toes within the sand. simply don’t miss your Instagram moment on the rope swing, set within the ocean at the Smokin’ Pineapple beach club. daily pass prices Dhs420 per person (redeemable against food and drinks).
How to get there: non-public boats depart frequently from the Zaya Nurai Island Welcome Centre on Saadiyat Island.

Al Maryah: the searching island

Want to squeeze in some retail medical care whereas you’re in town? Al Maryah Island is that the place to hit your mastercard. Shopaholics ought to head straight for The arthropod genus, a glitzy mall designed by the US-based Elkus Manfredi Architects and flanked by the Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels. It boasts quite one hundred designer stores from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo and Prada, also as a number of the city’s best restaurants all below one roof (such as Zuma, La Petite Maison, Roberto’s, Coya and Nusr'Et, aka #SaltBae, as a part of The feeding assortment situated on the city district Promenade). make certain to seem up and admire the sculptural glass-and-steel roof, a triumphant merger of engineering and sweetness, and take a sunset stroll on the city district promenade for scintillant views of the town skyline.