Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is home to some of the most beautiful islands in the UAE. These islands offer a mix of natural beauty, luxury resorts, and unique experiences.
Whether you’re looking to relax on a pristine beach, spot wildlife in their natural habitat, or indulge in five-star comfort, these islands have something for everyone. From the serene shores of Saadiyat Island to the wildlife haven of Sir Bani Yas Island, each one has its own charm and vibe.
Some are perfect for a family getaway, while others are ideal for adventure while remaining in the heart of the city! So let’s journey around the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and uncover the most incredible island experiences the emirate has to offer.
Abu Dhabi Islands Around the City You Can Reach By Car
While the centre of the city of Abu Dhabi is itself an island with a series of bridges, it is hardly noticeable for newcomers to the capital. You may hear locals and expats say ‘on island’ and ‘off-island’ referring to being ‘on’ or ‘off’ of the main Abu Dhabi island, particularly when talking about hotels and accommodation.
Adjacent to Abu Dhabi Island are numerous other islands, easily accessible by road, such as the internationally renowned Yas Island and the beautiful Saadiyat. We’ll take you through these islands first, before moving on to some desert island experiences a bit further afield.
Yas Island
Most famously home to the Yas Marina Circuit and a collection of four theme parks (Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, and Sea World Abu Dhabi – Disney coming soon!), there is so much to explore that you can really make Yas Island a vacation in itself.
The bustling Yas Bay Waterfront is home to the city’s biggest indoor entertainment venue, Etihad Arena. The island also boasts a huge indoor shopping centre with an indoor climbing wall, a championship golf course, several beach clubs, and a multitude of new commercial and residential developments.
Yas Island is connected to the mainland by a tunnel, only minutes from Zayed International Airport. An outer ring road freeway connects Yas to Dubai and Abu Dhabi city via Mina Port. Residents of the Raha Beach neighbourhoods can also catch a water taxi in the afternoons/evenings.
If you’d like to find out more, check out our complete guide to Yas Island which includes details about how to visit Ferrari World and the other Yas Island Theme Parks
Saadiyat Island
Home to the Saadiyat Cultural District, a stunning sandy beach, a string of luxury resorts and villas, NYU Abu Dhabi, and a golf course, this island offers the ultimate in leisure and relaxation experiences.
The Saadiyat Culture District is already partially open, playing host to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, TeamLab Phenomena, and Abrahamic House. It will be joined in 2026 by the Guggenheim and Zayed National Museum.
The pristine coral sand beach is also home to nesting hawksbill turtles, making it an important conservation area.
Whether you want to laze around on the beautiful beach, have a relaxing massage at a 5* hotel, delight in delectable cuisine, or feed your mind with the incredible exhibits at the Louvre, Saadiyat Island is the perfect place to base yourself for a high-end stay in Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Island is easy to reach from the city via bridges, and from Dubai, take the same E9 freeway that passes Yas Island to get to Saadiyat.
We explain in much more depth all of the resorts on Saadiyat island here. There’s also a detailed guide on how you can experience Saadiyat Beach as a visitor
Jubail Island
One of the newer islands to be developed is Jubail Island, with the first developed point of interest being the Jubail Mangroves Park. There is a new housing development on the island, built to be eco-friendly, and to have a minimal impact on the local environment, due to open late 2025.
Jubail Island is easily accessed from the E10 freeway, which connects the port to Saadiyat and onward to Yas Island and Dubai.
Al Maryah Island
Upmarket hotels and shopping malls dominate this small inner city island. This is the city’s financial district, home to Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), but it is best known for its luxury hotels and dining. It is also home to Abu Dhabi’s branch of the internationally renowned Cleveland Clinic.
The main point of interest for tourists is the Galleria Mall, which interconnects with both the Four Seasons and Rosewood Hotels and offers both high street and high-end shopping. The mall also features a variety of leisure opportunities, including a cinema, play centres, rooftop parks, and a waterfront promenade.
The island is also an up and coming sporting hub for local residents who flock there for its Active sports domes and recreational offerings.
Maryah Island sits within the city center and can be reached by multiple bridges.
Reem Island
Adjacent to Al Maryah Island, is Reem Island. Here, you’ll find mixed-use commercial and residential properties, parks, and small beaches offering marine sports. The area is dominated by high and mid-rise towers, but these are punctuated by greenery, and provide a stunning silhouette at sunset.
Reem is also reachable by multiple bridges within the city and is still subject to substantial further development as the inner city expands in both low-rise and high-rise housing. There are some small shopping areas and recreational zones between the apartment buildings.
Hudayriyat Island
Sitting adjacent to the main Abu Dhabi island and almost as long, Hudayriyat is a great location for sports and leisure. This purpose-built recreational zone includes a glamping site, cycle tracks, sports arenas, a man-made surf pool, and one of the city’s best public beaches.
You can find a variety of places to eat and drink to suit all budgets at Marsana, as well as toilets and changing facilities, playgrounds, and a splash pad for children.
The only accommodation on the island is Bab Al Nojoum, which caters to tent campers and glampers through to luxury beachfront villas.
There is still a huge amount of construction happening on Hudayriyat Island – from residential housing to the city’s first velodrome – so it’s definitely a venue to watch. We expect it will become one of the city’s largest tourism hubs, particularly for sporting and recreation.
There is just one large bridge in and out of Hudayriyat, from the end of 19th Street and a bus service.
Learn more about current events and attractions on Hudayriyat island here
Abu Dhabi Islands Around the City You Can Reach By Boat
There are literally dozens of islands that sit just off the city shores. These are either uninhabited or privately owned – here are a few that you can visit by boat:
Nurai Island
Just a 22-minute boat ride from the Saadiyat dock is Nurai Island. This exclusive luxury resort is currently being renovated and promises to include everything you need for the perfect beach resort getaway.
You may be familiar with this island as ‘Zaya Nurai’, however ownership changed in 2022.
To learn more about Nurai Island and keep up to date with the latest developments, click here.
Lulu Island
At the opposite end of the scale to the luxury islands we’ve discussed, Lulu Island is an undeveloped haven for local residents.
Visible from the Corniche, this large sand island acts as a natural breakwater. There are no commercial buildings on Lulu, but it is a day-tripping stop for boats leaving Abu Dhabi Marina.
A number of companies can take you out on a charter boat journey, or if you have your own small crafts or kayaks, you can make your own way to the island.
Al Maya Island
Another small island close to the Corniche that has long been considered a hidden secret, is Al Maya Island. Perhaps not as glossy as some of the other island resorts, it’s still worth considering for a unique desert island getaway without a lengthy boat ride.
In fact, the trip to this daycation resort takes just 10 minutes from the jetty in Ras Al Akhdar (near Qasr Al Watan). The resort regularly offers excellent special deals and promotions, so be sure to check in advance before making your booking.
The island does have some overnight accommodation though it is quite limited, make sure you book in advance if you wish to take this option.
Learn more about the facilities at Al Maya Island Abu Dhabi here
Abu Dhabi Islands in the Western Region
These islands are further away from the city and will offer a unique perspective into the natural and cultural side of the Emirate. They are more remote in nature, so you will almost certainly need your own wheels or to hire private transportation to get to the boat dock.
Sir Bani Yas Island
Approximately 2.5 hours west of the city by road is Jebel Dhanna, where you will need to board a ferry to Sir Bani Yas. The ferry takes around 15-20 minutes to take you to the shore of Sir Bani Yas, home to the Arabian Wildlife Park.
The park provides a habitat for 17,000 free-roaming animals, including sand gazelles, urial sheep, blackbuck antelope, and Arabian oryx. In order to visit the island, you must either have a reservation at one of the island’s luxury resorts or be part of a guided tour or cruise.
Ferries operate hourly from 10.45 am to 5.45 pm – timetables do vary by season, so it is always best to check in advance.
There are three accommodation options on the island, all run by Anantara: the Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara, Al Yamm Villa Resort, and Al Sahel Villa Resort. Note that free camping is not allowed here.
Dalma Island
Located in the Al Dhafra region, around 200km from Abu Dhabi, this historic pearl-diving island is one of the oldest inhabited areas of the emirate, with sites dating back to the Neolithic period. Once a busy hub for the pearling industry, these days you’ll find a small population of around 5000 people, mostly employed in agriculture, and a few weekend campers.
There is a museum in the Al Meraikhi Old House (open 10.00am until 6.00pm daily), which pays homage to the island’s pearl trading past. Other than the museum, you’ll find a small motel, a few local shops, a petrol station, and a hospital should you need it. There are very few restaurants or places to buy food, although new developments are in the pipeline.
You can reach Dalma Island by the ferry run that leaves from Jebel Dhanna, but this does not run when the sea is rough. The journey takes approximately 2 hours. It is recommended that you take your own vehicle on the ferry as there is no public transportation on the island.
Another option is to take a flight from Abu Dhabi Airport. In order to do this, you must register to fly before 8.30 on the day upon which you wish to travel.
Marawah Island
Part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO site), which covers 10 remote islands, this island, 100km west of the city, is not presently open commercially to tourists. However, those with access to non-motorised craft can moor within the waters.
The reserve is home to the world’s second largest dugong community, 70% of the UAE’s mirgratory birds and over 150 fish species(1).
Furthermore, the Marawah Island itself is of great importance as an archaeological site, with relics dating back to the Neolithic period. You can only visit the island with Environmental Agency approval and your trip must be coordinated with island management, open from October until April.
Other Abu Dhabi Islands
Many smaller islands around the Abu Dhabi Emirate are either privately owned by Emiratis or still under development and will not yet appear on Google Maps; some that you may see pop up in the future include
- Hilton on Al Nawras Island – future luxury hotel development (though this has gone very quiet since intial announcement)
- Al Fahid Island – made a little better known after last winter’s Manar light show pyramid sculpture, and the opening of Fahid Beach Club, this island sits between Yas and Jubail Islands on the E10 freeway. It is currently under development by Aldar as a ‘coastal wellness community’.
- Al Samaliyah Island, one of the largest man-made mangrove plantations in the world, also hosted exhibits from Manar. The island is only reachable by small boat from Yas Bay.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide around Abu Dhabi’s islands and its given you some inspiration for interesting places to visit in the incredible emirate of Abu Dhabi.
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. .
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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