The Yas Island
Yas Island is the emirate’s sports and leisure centre. It is only about 30 minutes drive off Abu Dhabi, and will be home to a Ferrari Theme Park, a Formula One circuit, a water park and several golf courses, polo fields, equestrian centre and high-end hotels. These hotels are estimated to offer about 2,000 rooms upon their completion. A visit to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi makes a fascinating excursion. Come and enjoy a relaxing vacation in the tranquil and peaceful ambiance of Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
About YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
Web Site : Yas Marina Circuit http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/
Bu Tinah Island
Located approximately 130km west of Abu Dhabi, Bu Tinah is part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, which was the first marine biosphere reserve in the region to be recognized by UNESCO. It is a horse-shoe shaped island which boasts rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems worthy of global recognition.
The coral reefs of Bu Tinah continue to thrive despite extreme temperature and salinity stress. Their survival has given researchers insight into coral reef survival elsewhere in the world in the face of global warming.
Moreover, the sheltered side of the island regularly undergoes tidal inundation which allows for healthy mangrove stands with heights averaging 5 meters.
A large number of foraging green and critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles have been recorded there. Dugongs, considered threatened under the IUCN redlist, have been observed among its seagrass meadows. An estimated 650 individual dugongs have been spotted in the summer, while 835 individuals have been spotted in the winter. Little human activity in the area has allowed for a natural sanctuary for the dugongs.
The waters surrounding Bu Tinah are also home to dolphin populations, including Indo-pacific humpback, bottlenose and common dolphins.
Several migratory birds use the island as a stopover to rest and forage during their migration route from central Asia to Africa. 4-5 active osprey nests have been regularly recorded on the island during successive breeding seasons. The island also hosts a small population of White-cheeked terns and globally threatened Socotra Cormorants.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced its official support for Bu Tinah Shoals (Islands) as a candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign, organized by the New7Wonders Foundation.
The Bu Tinah Shoals, part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, was among 261 nominees. 224 different countries submitted nominations within the first few months of the campaign. Bu Tinah is now in the second stage of the competition and is among the 77 shortlisted sites. The final declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be in 2011.
TDIC’s Qasr Al Sarab welcomes its first guests
TDIC’s five-star luxury retreat – Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara – has now officially opened its doors to guests. Set amid the imposing dunes of the Liwa Desert, this fort-inspired resort has been designed to reflect a truly authentic experience, indigenous to the surrounding region.
Just 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab is a destination rich in history with settlements in the area dating back as far as 7,000 years ago. There are 154 rooms, 42 villas and 10 royal villas at the resort with spacious living and dining areas, private pools and outdoor terraces.
The resort adjoins the UAE’s largest protected wildlife reserve with thousands of indigenous animals, such as the Arabian Oryx and sand gazelle, roaming freely. Through its desert experience centre, the resort offers activities including falconry, camel riding, desert exploration and stargazing. Other facilities include a luxury health spa, conference centre, outdoor pool, children’s playground and a wealth of dining options.
http://qasralsarab.anantara.com
Sir Bani Yas
Desert Islands
Discover the heart of Desert Islands, a sanctuary of nature that is now yours to explore. As the first of the 8 Desert Islands to open to the public , Sir Bani Yas offers the magic of the an authentic Arabian wildlife sanctuary, aworld of natural wonders, cultural artefacts, exciting adventures and serene landscapes.For More Details : http://www.desertislands.com/EN/
Visitors take a short boat-ride from Jebel Dhanna, some 240 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi, to reach this historic and exotic island, which is primed to be the Arabian Gulf’s most luxurious holiday destination, rivalling Sharm El-Sheikh of Egypt, if not the Maldives. It is a nature reserve, with a wide range of thriving wildlife on a vast forest area, surrounded by the magnificent Arabian Gulf. Llamas, giraffes, ostriches and gazelles wander freely in the island, while other families of mammals such as the Arabian oryx are found grazing in their enclosures. The charming flamingos are a staple in the island, whose shoreline boasts mangrove covered sandbanks. Dolphins and huge sea turtles are likewise considered regular residents of the waters surrounding Sir Bani Yas.
For the history enthusiast, however, Sir Bani Yas is as much a relaxing nature retreat as a historic one. Sir Bani Yas is home to a seventh century Nestorian monastery and church, the only known Christian remnant in the country prior to the arrival of Islam and the largest one ever found in Eastern Arabia. Fragments of Nestorian crosses and vine-and-scroll patterns have been recovered from this site. Some 35 archaeological sites, other than the Nestorian monastery, are found in Sir Bani Yas revealing its occupation by locals in nearly every known era in the past.
A multi-billion dollar project to preserve and promote Si Bani Yas along with several other islands in Abu Dhabi as a world-class ecological tourism destination is underway. The scenic pier of Jebel Dhanna will be home to a luxurious beachfront hotel, which will serve as a gateway to these islands.
Very shortly, Sir Bani Yas will host a beachfront resort and spa, national park, bird sanctuary, safari park, a golf course residential community and an alternative energy production centre, amongst other interesting landmarks. Most importantly, it will be the location of a new airport and cruise ship terminal that will serve as a jump off point for tourists as they explore the rest of Abu Dhabi’s islands.
Visits to Sir Bani Yas are done on a prearranged basis, as excursions from the nearby Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna or through organised societies or clubs and school parties.
Anew air service took off in the UAE with daily flights linking Abu Dhabi with Sir Bani Yas Island, phase one of the Desert Islands project in the emirate's western region (Al Gharbia).
Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna
Tel: +971 2 8012222
Fax: +971 2 8012333
Website: www.danathotelgroup.com
Saadiyat
Saadiyat Island to the east of the Corniche is being transformed into a luxury leisure and cultural destination. A massive, multi-billion dollar development project that includes world-class entertainment centres, museums, resorts, upscale residences and business centres are currently being built on the natural island.
Saadiyat Island will house around 150,000 residents. The population size of Saadiyat Island might escalate further. In fact, the interested tourists have been mushrooming in the airports for flight toward Abu Dhabi. One of their destinations mostly is the Saadiyat Island. Who would wish to miss Saadiyat Island’s breathtaking exquisite sights? The created two ten-lane causeways will connect the Saadiyat Island to Abu Dhabi. Hence, the said island is accessible.
Tel: + 971 2 406 1400
Fax: +971 2 406 1500
E-mail: info@saadiyat.ae
Website: www.saadiyat.ae
Al Futaisi
A bird spotter’s paradise, this island – five kilometres south of Abu Dhabi city – offers a range of activities such as nature trips via a local bus tour or through bicycles. A stable in the island houses purebred Arabian horses as well as camels, which can take visitors for rides. Those planning to stay overnight or for a few days may reserve accommodation with the island’s well appointed chalets and suites.
For those who plan a quick visit, a minimum fee of AED 100 (adults) inclusive of boat transportation to and from the island entitles visitors to use the island’s beach and swimming pool amenities. Entrance is free for children below seven years.
Tel: + 971 2 666 6601
Fax: +971 2 666 7300
Website: www.futaisi.com
E-mail: contact@futaisi.com
Accommodation fee (chalet): AED 1200 per night (weekend), AED 1000 per night (weekday)
Boat trips: 12:30, 14:30 and 17:00
SAMALIYA ISLAND
The Samaliya Island, located 12 kilometres off the coast of Abu Dhabi is unique in many ways. Sprawling over an area of 13,448 square kilometres and a perimetre of 21.7 kilometres, Samaliya is around 0.2 to 0.5 metres above sea level.
The Island is also located geographically between latitude 54 to 55 degree and longitude 24 to 25 degree.
Sixty-one per cent of the island is sandy terrain, while clay and muddy terrains constitute 22 per cent and 17 per cent respectively. The island is divided into six major areas, Qassar, Umm Lihal, Al Zabara, Qassar Al Mushj, Qasbah, Qassar Alabyad and Samaliya.
Samaliya is rich in bio-diversity, including rich marine environment with its rich saline plants, mangroves and other marine plants, fish, turtles, snakes and sea birds. The island has successfully protected its land environment, including its old buildings and roads. It takes a 20 minutes boat ride for a visitor to cross from Abu Dhabi to Samaliya.
Tel : + 971 2 558 4644
Fax: +971 2 558 3395
Dalma
Further off the west coast relatively near Sir Bani Yas is the island of Dalma, which is known for yielding some of the region’s “earliest evidence of date palm cultivation along with sherds of Ubaid or Mesopotamian pottery and finely flaked stone tools.” Presence of wells (reportedly about 200) that supply the island with fresh water indicate that there were permanent residents in the island even during the early times. Dalma’s famous wells are believed to have supplied water to the main Abu Dhabi Island until the 1950s. The evidence of imported pottery also indicates the presence of a thriving maritime trade involving this island as far back as 6,000 years ago.
Dalma is envisioned by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as a “heritage sanctuary” that will build upon the existing local fishing and dhow or boat-building culture. An archaeological museum, agricultural research centre, a hospitality and tourism school as well as luxurious holiday homes are likewise to be built here shortly. Dalma Island is home to between 5,000 and 6,000 people, both locals and expatriates, as of end 2006.
Al Reem Island
Located approximately 600 meters away from Abu Dhabi's coast, Al Reem Island will be one of the largest and most impressive tourist developments in the world. The development will be one of the city's hallmarks and a main tourist attraction. The island will house hotels, restaurants, gardens, museums, an aquarium, amusement parks for children and a diverse wildlife reserve.
Lulu : (Under Construction) Other Islands
Six other neighbouring islands apart from Sir Bani Yas and Dalma comprise Abu Dhabi’s Discovery Islands, an important component of the emirate’s platform to draw the world’s attention to its rich natural resources, besides its oil and sand.
Two of these islands are reserved for breeding birds and turtles, as well as other marine population. Two more islands will de designed as exclusive resorts offering the most luxurious accommodation and services comparable to – if not better than - those offered in the most affluent resorts of the Caribbean, and will be fitted with privately operated ferries and seaplanes. In contrast, the remaining two islands will have limited facilities to provide visitors with a “wild camp” experience.
Best Time to Visit
The period between November and April are considered the most ideal months to visit Sir Bani Yas, Dalma and their neighbouring outcrops. Temperature could drop significantly in the evenings especially in January and February, hence, visitors are advised to carry along warm clothing if they are visiting these islands during these months.
