Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi - Timings, Water Sports, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 250 km from Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is a natural island located in the Western region of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates and among the top places to visit in Abu Dhabi for wildlife lovers.

Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the eight which make up the Desert Islands in Al Dhafra. The island is 17.5 km from north to south and 9 km from east to west. The name Sir Bani Yas originates from the Bani Yas tribe, who first inhabited Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas is the crest of a salt dome created millions of years ago by natural geological forces. Thirty-six archaeological sites have been discovered throughout Sir Bani Yas, each providing a distinct insight into the island's history. The island is also the location of the only pre-Islamic Christian site to be found in the UAE. The 7th-century Christian church was discovered in 1992 and was opened to the public in 2010. It can be visited during the Desert Islands Resort & Spa Culture Tour.

Awarded the 'World's Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination' at the 2014 World Travel Awards in Anguilla, more than half the island is made up of the Arabian Wildlife Park, one of the region's largest wildlife reserves. Spanning over 87 sq. km, the reserve was established in 1977 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of UAE and is the largest wildlife reserve in UAE. Several million trees were planted and numerous animal species introduced to the island. The Park houses some 13,000 animals indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula including the endangered Arabian Oryx, Sand Gazelle, and Mountain Gazelle as well as free-roaming predators and scavengers such as the Sudan cheetah and striped hyena. The island is home to a herd of over 400 Arabian oryx, a species of antelope, who roam freely on the island. Embellished with green carpets and over 2.5 million trees including rare species like thorn acacia or gum tree, the island encapsulates a bird sanctuary holding more than 100 species of wild birds indigenous to the region as well.

The island holds the responsibility for animal conservation giving animals open spaces to roam about and also protection of critically endangered or vulnerable species like sea turtles, sand gazelles, Urial sheep, Barbary sheep, and Arabian tahr and oryx. While research and conservation efforts are a major part of the park's current development, a number of wildlife and adventure activities are already available for visitors which include game drives, nature trails, mountain biking, snorkeling, and outdoor dining. With the evolution of the island, it also bears luxury resorts for its tourists extending great hospitality. Guests of the resort can take a 4x4 Nature & Wildlife Drive of the park in specially made vehicles accompanied by expert guides.

Sir Bani Yas Island is part of the Al Gharbia region of the UAE, 250 km southwest of Abu Dhabi and can be reached by either car and then a boat from Jebel Dhanna on the mainland, or directly by boat or plane, with docks at Sir Bani Yas's Royal Bay Moorings. Seaplanes to Sir Bani Yas are operated by Seawings, and private return charters with up to nine seats are available from Dubai and from Abu Dhabi.

Boat Timings: 3 PM, 6 PM, 11 PM