Connecting the vibrant new Yas Bay area of the city to the neighbouring Raha Beach community, a permanent water transport solution has been launched – the Yas Bay Water Taxi, run by Abu Dhabi Maritime.
Yas Bay Water Taxi Route
The Yas Bay water taxi runs in a circular loop from Yas Bay to the Al Raha Beach communities of Al Zeina, Al Muneera, and Al Bandar.
Previously, the circular loop also included Yas Marina. However, as of the latest service update, a separate water taxi service now connects Yas Marina and the Yas Water’s Edge development to Yas Bay.
The ‘Green Line’ service can take 26 passengers at a time. A larger water taxi was seen when the service first launched in November 2022. However, it seems this new, smaller boat, as pictured above, is here to stay.
You can pre-book your seats on the service online only now (previously, there was no problem taking walk-up customers, but this appears to have changed in Spring 2024).
New in 2025! Booking can now be done by the Abu Dhabi Maritime App called Al Nahlia, more below
When Does The Yas Bay Water Taxi (Green Line) Operate?
Operating 7 days a week, the ‘Green Line’ has a separate timetable for weekdays and weekends (this has changed on multiple occasions since the new service launched, so apologies if the below is not 100% accurate; last check and updated for spring 2026):
- Monday to Friday – Starting from 3:00 PM at Yas Bay, then every hour, the last service leaves at 10:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – Starting 3:30 PM at Yas Bay, then every 30 minutes until the last service at 10:30 PM (NB since March 2026, this looks to have dropped back to hourly)
The water taxi then leaves Al Zeina at 15 minutes past the hour, Al Muneera at 25 minutes past, and Al Bandar at 40 minutes past on weekdays.
On weekends, when there’s a 30-minute service, stops will also be made at Al Zeina, 45 minutes past the hour; Al Muneera, 55 minutes past the hour; and Al Bandar, 10 minutes past the hour.
The boat certainly doesn’t run at speed—this is most definitely the scenic route from Al Raha Beach to Yas Bay—not the fastest, which is still to take a taxi through the Yas tunnel.
Yas Bay Waterfront (Purple Line)
This new service connects the Yas Water’s Edge Community to Yas Bay, via Yas Marina.
- Every 1.5 hours from 4:15 PM to 8:15 PM Monday to Thursday
- Every 15/30 minutes from 4:15 PM to 10:00 PM Friday to Sunday
Yas Bay – Al Qana (Red Line)
Connecting two popular tourist destinations in the capital, this is a twice-daily service in both directions and takes 35 minutes:
- Al Qana departures are at 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM daily
- Yas Bay departures are at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM daily
Learn more about what to see and experience in Al Qana here
What Does the Yas Water Taxi Cost?
The pricing has increased since the Yas water taxi service was first introduced. You should now expect to pay:
- Adult one way – AED 10
- Children under 12 – AED 5
- Under 2 or over 60 – Free
- For a round trip, AED 20 per adult, kids AED 5
You must pre-book the Yas Water Taxi and present your QR code upon boarding. It appears they no longer accept cash or card payments on board. (Note that a service charge of 1 AED and a transaction fee per ticket is also added).
This can be done while you’re queuing for the boat, but we recommend booking several hours/days in advance to secure your spot, especially before or after major events at Yas Bay. There is no obvious signage at the docks to indicate that this is required while you’re waiting!
Where Can I Learn More About The Yas Bay Water Shuttle
Operated by Abu Dhabi Maritime, you can visit their website for Yas Bay Water Taxi booking online, or call 800 10 20 30.
What Happened to Yellow Boats, Yas Bay?
Yellow Boats still operate tourist boat tours from Yas Marina. However, the trial water shuttle service that operated in the Spring of 2022 has not returned. The smaller Yas Bay Water Taxi appears to be the permanent replacement service.
We’d still recommend tourists check out Yellow Boats for longer scenic tours around the mangroves.
What Are Other Transport Options For Yas Bay?
- Yas Bay is connected with the other major attractions on Yas Island by the free Yas Express shuttle service. You can learn more about the other Yas Island attractions and shuttles over here.
- There is a public bus service to Yas Island from the Airport (Route A19) and Al Wadha Central Bus Station (Route 190). Note these drop you on the main road, and you’ll still have a 5-10 minute walk to Etihad Arena and Yas Bay.
- A taxi rank operates from Yas Bay, with plentiful metered taxis to take you wherever you’re headed next. A journey back to the Raha Beach communities will cost under AED 15 (minimum fare), while the return trip to town will cost approximately AED 60-80.
- You can self-drive to Yas Bay; note that on Etihad Arena event days, underground parking is reserved for VIP ticket holders only. There is plentiful parking most days in the Waterfront car park – follow signage past the Hilton hotel. A new multi-story car park is also available; U-turn at the traffic light, and it’s on your immediate right, don’t turn into Yas Bay. (Coming from Dubai, we explain all your Etihad Arena parking options here)
More Ferries and Water Taxi Services in Abu Dhabi
There is a growing network of water transportation in Abu Dhabi that is worth exploring. Some other routes that are now operating frequent taxi/ferry services include:
- The Louvre Abu Dhabi to Marsa Mina (departing 11:00 and 12:00 PM, then 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the hour, daily except Mondays) – essentially connecting the cruise port to Saadiyat Island
- Saadiyat Island to Al Aliah Ferry (NB this service is private for residents on the island)
- Al Dhanna to Dalma Island – a remote part of Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, popular with weekend campers in the winter and a small local population. There’s a twice-daily vehicular ferry service (3 times a day on Friday & Sunday) – Learn more about Dalma Island over here
Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi.
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