10 Reasons to Visit Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

1. Visit an Idyllic Natural Island in The UAE

Instead of following the current trend in the UAE of admiring artificially constructed or modern islands, visit this pristine natural island in Abu Dhabi. Created through the deposits of salt, lime and other minerals in the Persian Gulf, the island began taking shape from these deposits millions of years ago. Sir Bani Yas Island is the largest natural island in the UAE and is only three hours away from Abu Dhabi city center. It is located off the coast of the Abu Dhabi mainland in the southwest. If you are wondering how to get to Sir Bani Yas Island, a road drive and a boating excursion will bring you to this quaint island sheathed in endless stretches of pristine beaches and beautiful views of the Persian Gulf. Start with a three-hour road trip from Abu Dhabi or Dubai to Jebel Dhanna Ferry Point, where a boat will take you to Sir Bani Yas Island Ferry Point. As soon as you step foot on this island, you will realize it is an idyllic paradise for nature lovers.

2. Find an Escape From Ultramodern Life

This island is the perfect place to pause for a bit from the chaos of the modern world. The most popular attractions in Abu Dhabi are a mix of cultural and modern essences. Sir Bani Yas Island, however, is sheathed in utter beauty and natural splendors. The first ruler of the UAE had a keen eye for natural beauty and kept Sir Bani Yas Island in its natural form and didn’t let modern developments influence it; He turned it into a nature conserve. On this island, it feels different from the modern world as we know it. With more nature than modernism and a plethora of wilderness and wildlife, it comes as a savior to cherish your weary soul with a few comforts and a wealth of natural beauty.

3. Discover History And Heritage

There’s more to this island than just beaches, wildlife, and deserts. Did you know that Sir Bani Yas Island is home to Christian church ruins that date back to 600 AD? A guided tour of the island will showcase most of its history and heritage. The place has traces of pre-Islamic times in the UAE, where you can see remnants of the Bronze Age and Nestorian Christian ruins. The island is rich in archaeological treasures and has 18 sites for history buffs to explore.

4. Admire The Exotic Wildlife

It is one destination in Abu Dhabi where you will find animal footprints rather than carbon footprints. In the land of human dominance, where people flaunt their contemporary vanity in creativity and innovation, this small island creates a world where wildlife takes center stage, and humans serve as their ally. Come to Sir Bani Yas Island, and you go back to the times when animals ruled the land. Find yourself on a horse riding across the golden dunes of Arabia, spotting Arabian gazelles, giraffes, and oryxes roaming freely, and watch falcons showcase their agility and cleverness during falcon shows. A trip to Arabian Wildlife Park is a must on your visit, where you will encounter over 17000 animals wandering freely in a vast wilderness. The Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island entry fee is around AED 15 per person.

5. Enjoy Luxury in Solace

The UAE is extravagant and never misses an opportunity to flaunt its larger-than-life personality. This holds true for its luxury quotient as well. In the UAE, you will find that luxury and hospitality together make a perfect pair for catering to its guests. You will be pampered and treated like royalty, with the finest amenities and hospitality. This luxury essence seeps into the remote Sir Bani Yas Island as well. Three of the most opulent resorts from the world-renowned Anantara resort brand are nestled within the island and invite you to enjoy a luxury stay in the lap of nature. Enjoy blissful times with opulent service at Desert Island Resort and Spa by Anantara, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, and Anantara Sir Bani Yas Al Sahel Villa Resort. You will find these to be the perfect retreats to recharge and relax during your time away from the demands of daily life.

6. Gear Up For Desert Safari Adventures

A desert safari tour is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas Island beckons you to explore and enjoy with its eclectic mix of exotic Arabian wildlife and vast stretches of gorgeous landscapes. Prepare yourself for some of the most incredible adventure excursions of your life as you travel through the sweeping dunes and spot Arabian wildlife on a safari tour. If you search the internet for a Desert Safari Abu Dhabi guide, you will come across Al Wathba Desert, Rub Al Khali, and Al Khaznah. Sir Bani Yas Island’s deserts are rarely mentioned, making it the most unexplored location for desert dune rides and free-roaming wildlife viewing. Embark on thrilling wildlife safaris while experiencing the thrill of off-beat drives through the Arabian dunes guided by knowledgeable rangers who will share insights about the animals and their natural setting.

7. Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving in Warm Gulf Waters

Being surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Persian Gulf, Sir Bani Yas Island offers a diverse underwater realm for those keen on diving and who enjoy the adrenaline rush of exploring the underwater world. The coral reefs, colorful fish, and turtles are abundant in the waters surrounding Sir Bani Yas Island. Take a scuba diving excursion to understand this fascinating underwater world. Try snorkeling in the pristine Persian waters, and you might swim with a carefree, laid-back sea turtle having a good time. It is one of the clearest, cleanest, least crowded spots in the UAE to enjoy water adventures.

8. Explore The Beaches And Water Sports

Not so keen on plunging and swimming underwater? Try out a variety of fascinating water sports above the water’s surface, where the thrill is fantastically splashing! Prepare to relax with a quick swim or try kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or even deep-sea fishing. Not in the mood for an adrenaline rush? Then just lay back and soak up the sun on the pristine beachfront, or enjoy lazy strolls along the shoreline to marvel at the calmness and beauty of nature.

9. Find Sublime Bliss Without the Throngs of Tourists

Sir Bani Yas provides you with solace and serenity at a time when most of Abu Dhabi is overcrowded. Sir Bani Yas is that warm embrace you so desperately need to loosen the knots of stress in your mind because it is far from dense populations of locals and international tourists. It is a refuge from the busy world and a soother for the weary soul. Visit, take in the splendor of nature, interact with wildlife, and enjoy the pampering you desperately need so that you feel rejuvenated when it’s time to return to the real world. The amalgam of solace, sublime, and solitude is an antidote to a stressed mind, and Sir Bani Yas Island offers the perfect combination of them.

10. Create Memories For Life!

Lastly, Sir Bani Yas Island provides a unique, immersive experience that will create lasting memories. Sir Bani Yas Island can be summed up as a small Arabian world that is pure, untouched, and true to its originality. It’s an amazing place to create memories so unique from the rest of the UAE’s popular tourist attractions and yet, it keeps you interested at all times. From thrilling encounters with wildlife to breathtaking sunsets and the warmth of Emirati hospitality, the island promises an unforgettable vacation.

On your Abu Dhabi visit, you should undoubtedly see the city’s stunning landmarks, but set aside a day to travel to Sir Bani Yas Island. The place is so unique and refreshing from the rest of Abu Dhabi that you don’t fully appreciate it until you go there. You will frequently return to Sir Bani Yas Island to deepen your soul and disconnect for a while. It will become your favorite corner in the world to hide away for a few moments when you feel overwhelmed. Visit once and you will understand.

Image Credit: visitabudhabi.ae