Discover Yas Island - Abu Dhabi’s most exciting destination
Anchored off the coast of Abu Dhabi is the fun-packed Yas Island, home to world-class attractions, luxury hotels, pristine beaches, and some of the biggest sporting and cultural events in the United Arab Emirates. With year-round sunshine and activities for every interest, it is the ideal winter getaway for families, culture-seekers, and nature lovers.
Key facts about Yas Island
- artificial island built in 2007
- home to the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix
- 25 square kilometres
- 8,000 residents
- cultural and entertainment centre
In 2007, Yas Island was a newly created artificial island and a blank canvas for an ambitious plan to build a world-class cultural and entertainment centre. Today, the compact island covering 25 square kilometres, is home to approximately 8,000 ex-pat and Emirati residents. That number is forecast to reach 18,000 by 2030. Tourist numbers eclipse the resident population. Abu Dhabi attracted over 3 million international visitors in 2019, and the 44 hotels on Yas Island were the ultimate destination for many visitors.
Located just 11.5 km (7.1 mi) from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Yas Island is connected to the mainland by 8 bridges and an underpass. Two highways link the island: the E12 Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed highway from the international airport and the E10 to Dubai.
Aside from 32 km of waterfront, Yas Island boasts an array of record-beating attractions. Foremost is the Yas Marina racing circuit, home to the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix race since 2009. It is reportedly the most expensive racing circuit ever built and the only F1 circuit with wholly covered grandstands. The island also hosts the world’s fastest rollercoaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which reaches speeds of 240 km/h (149 mph). Plus, the tallest indoor climbing wall at Clymb Abu Dhabi, a nerve-wracking 40 metres high. Completing the line-up of world-beaters is Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor theme park anywhere.
What to see and do on Yas Island
Family and sport activities on Yas Island
Yas Island lives up to its reputation as the entertainment capital of Abu Dhabi. Headline attractions for families include the sprawling Warner Bros theme park and the thrilling Yas Water World with over 40 slides and rides.
Thrills and spills are also on the agenda at Ferrari World, home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, and an enviable collection of the manufacturer's supercars. Complementing Ferrari World is Yas Marina Circuit. If you can’t join the 60,000 spectators for the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a tour of the racecourse will appeal to anyone with a passing interest in motorsport.
If you are interested in golf, you will also enjoy the Yas Links golf courses, which were ranked 34th in the world by Golf Digest in 2022.
In early 2023, the new Sea World center on Yas Island will also be opened, adding another attraction to the already endless list of leisure activities on Yas Island.
Nature and beach activities on Yas Island
Nature lovers will appreciate the mangrove forests around Yas Island, where a variety of marine life, including turtles and dolphins, can be found. Experience the mangrove forests up close on a kayak or boat tour. Alternatively, you can explore the nearby Jubail Mangrove Park, which has a promenade from which you can observe the nature reserve.
Since sunny days are practically guaranteed on Yas Island, a beach day is also a welcome change from the action-packed attractions. The private Yas Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Abu Dhabi and offers a place to relax. Swim in the azure water, relax on a comfortable sun lounger in the bright sun, and enjoy delicious snacks and cold drinks in the modern beach club.
Shopping, culture and culinary on Yas Island
Back on Yas Island is a sprawling shopping mall filled with boutique outlets. Not to be missed are the dancing musical fountains outside Yas Mall, a hallmark of modern architecture in the UAE. South of Yas Mall is the scenic Yas Bay Waterfront and Yas Marina. This is where you can find good food, with the restaurant-lined waterfront home to award-winning restaurants like Cipriani and Paradiso. White, the UAE's largest nightclub, is a short walk from the waterfront.
For musical spectaculars, look for events at the Etihad Arena, the largest all-purpose entertainment venue in the Middle East, and the open-air concert venue, du Arena at Etihad Park. The sizeable venues have hosted title-deciding UFC fights and international music stars like Madonna, Beyoncé or Sting.
In short, however long you spend on Yas Island, there is more than enough to entertain families, couples, and solo travellers.
Excursions and day trips from Yas Island
You don’t have to travel far to find compelling destinations near Yas Island. The UAE is so compact that most of the country’s highlights can be reached on day trips, whether by taxi or through the many organised excursions from Yas Island.
✓ Abu Dhabi City
✓ Saadiyat Island
✓ Sir Bani Yas Island
✓ Dubai
✓ Oasis city of Al Ain
✓ Northern Emirates
The city center of Abu Dhabi is just a short drive away from Yas Island and easily accessible by taxi or public bus. There are many sights in Abu Dhabi that are suitable for a day trip, including the grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Corniche, or the Emirates Palace Hotel and many more. For an unparalleled panoramic view of the city, you can visit the observation platform at 300 meters high at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
Another highlight near Yas Island is Saadiyat Island. Its name, which means "Island of Happiness," is well-deserved due to its mix of culture and nature. The Saadiyat Cultural District is home to not only the famous Louvre Museum, but also soon to be home to its own Guggenheim Museum. The island also has two of the most beautiful beaches in the emirate - Kai and Soul.
Even more extraordinary is the remote Sir Bani Yas Island, a nature reserve and once the private island retreat of UAE's founding president, Sheikh Zayed. The Sheikh transformed the island into a wildlife wonderland, where cheetahs and hyenas roam freely amongst gazelles and giraffes. Named after the Bani Yas tribe that first settled in Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is also home to archaeological relics from the Stone Age and early Islamic period. The most notable site is the Church of the East monastery, discovered in 1992 and dated to 600 AD.
Also Dubai is worth a visit. Just an hour’s drive from Yas Island, it is where the past meets the future. From the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, to the traditional souks of the Deira district, Dubai is an unmissable city of contrasts.
Oasis city of Al Ain
Bordering Oman is the ancient oasis city of Al Ain, a two-hour drive from Yas Island. The UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site recalls a forgotten world, with bronze age tombs, the nation’s only mountain, Jabal Hafeet, and the imposing Mezyad Fort.
For further adventurous excursions, consider heading to the northern emirates: Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al-Quwain. Off the beaten path, they reward curious travellers with an authentic insight into Emirati life before the arrival of modernity, complete with old souks and sand-blasted forts.
If the art and culture of Islam pique your interest, you could for example head to Sharjah. The third-largest Emirate, home to the Blue Souk and the vast Sharjah desert, is quieter than neighbouring Dubai and renowned as a centre for Islamic architecture.