5 destinations for your ultimate island hopping itinerary in Abu Dhabi


Beyond the city’s impressive skyscrapers, Abu Dhabi has dozens of exciting island destinations, each with its own unique personality and appeal. The good news? Island hopping here is easier than almost anywhere else. In fact, you don’t even need a boat, with many of the city’s must-see islands connected to the mainland by bridge. Here’s your guide to the top island destinations worth hopping between, and why each deserves a spot on your Abu Dhabi bucket list.

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1. Yas Island

Yas Island is Abu Dhabi's action-packed playground for families and thrill-seekers. Anchored by Yas Marina, it’s easily reached by car or public transport. Water taxis also ferry visitors between popular locations like Yas Bay, Yas Marina and Yas Water's Edge for as little as AED 10 per person, bookable through Abu Dhabi Maritime's ticketing portal or on the Al Nalia app (available on the App Store and Google Play).

Choose among attractions like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi (or do it all). If you prefer a slower pace, Yas Island has no shortage of beaches, luxury resorts and championship golf courses. Plus, there’s Yas Marina Circuit, the eye-catching site of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to check out.

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2. Al Fahid Island

Nestled between Yas Island and Jubail Island on the E12 highway, Al Fahid Island captures the best of Abu Dhabi’s coastal personality, with untouched shorelines and sprawling mangrove forests. But more than being a mix of familiar highlights, Al Fahid has plenty to offer of its own.

For now, the vibe is laid-back, centred around spots like Kite Beach and Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa, where outdoor DJs and loungey daybeds take over the sand. When the weather is just right, local wakeboarders and kayakers come to Al Fahid to make the most of it. But the island won’t stay this calm forever. With ambitious plans for eco-conscious resorts and luxury residences, Al Fahid is steadily evolving, so right now is the perfect time to explore it.

 

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3. Jubail Island

It wouldn't be a complete island hopping experience if you didn't visit Jubail. Just a few minutes along the E12 highway from Al Fahid, Jubail Island is an ecological sanctuary that feels worlds away from city life. The island is home to Jubail Mangrove Park, a stunning expanse of tidal forest where elevated boardwalks wind through serene green corridors.

As you wander through this living landscape, you might spot grazing gazelles, schools of fish gliding beneath the surface and birds like flamingos, reef herons and ospreys. For a more immersive view, you could even explore the winding waterways on a kayak.

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4. Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's most well-known islands, famous for its natural white-sand beaches – like Soul Beach and Kai Beach – and nesting hawksbill turtles. But it's also the city’s cultural heartbeat, where you can hop on an electric catamaran or kayak to explore the waterways around the iconic Saadiyat Cultural District.

Art lovers might visit the Manarat Al Saadiyat arts hub, teamLab Phenomena and Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its famous floating dome. From here, why not take water taxi across to Marsa Mina, a buzzing waterfront in the Mina Zayed neighbourhood?

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5. Al Maryah Island

Next on your island hopping trail is Al Maryah, a luxury lifestyle hub just 20 minutes from Saadiyat Island by car. Though often missed by tourists more focussed on beaches and theme parks, this compact island is a must-see stop-off for lovers of the finer things.

Start with a walk through The Galleria, a high-end shopping mall with striking floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the water. Hungry? Al Maryah’s restaurant scene has something for every type of diner – choose between Michelin-worthy fine dining spots and casual waterfront cafés.

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6. Hudayriyat Island

Think of Hudayriyat Island as Abu Dhabi’s open-air gym. Connected to the city centre by a bridge and accessible by boat, this once-quiet island has transformed into a premier sports and lifestyle destination, packed with experiences you can’t find anywhere else, like Surf Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest and most advanced artificial wave facility. 

You could cycle a 10-kilometre loop, or take things further and tackle the Circuit X BMX Park. Explore Marsana, a beachfront promenade lined with cafés and food trucks for a quick bite between activities, or book a glamping trip at Bab Al Nojoum to stay a little longer.

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7. Al Maya Island

Located a 10-minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi, Al Maya is the ideal destination for a typical island escape. Unlike many of the other locations on this list, it’s only accessible by water, with regular transfers departing from the Al Maya Island Boat Jetty near Qasr Al Watan. Once you arrive, you’ll find a relaxed beach setting with plenty to do (or not do, if you’d rather just unwind).

Al Maya Island has everything you’d want from the perfect beach day: think soft white sand, clear water and shaded spots to stretch out and take in the view. You can also book a day pass through Al Maya Island Resort.

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8. Dalma Island

Far off the beaten track, Dalma Island is one of the oldest inhabited places in the UAE. A long history of pearl diving, fishing and farming still influences local life today, while centuries-old archaeological discoveries speak to Dalma’s long-standing role in the region’s cultural story. The Delma Museum, once the home of a prominent pearl merchant, and three preserved mosques give a snapshot into the island's past.

To get to Dalma, take a ferry from Al Dhannah – a waterfront area that sits about 2.5 hours away from Abu Dhabi city by car. The crossing takes around 90 minutes, and tickets can be booked online.

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9. Sir Bani Yas Island

Sir Bani Yas Island, located 170 km (105 miles) from Abu Dhabi in the same waters as Dalma, is the largest natural island in the UAE. Home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, this nature sanctuary is teeming with free-roaming wildlife, including cheetahs, giraffes and Arabian oryx. 

Sir Bani Yas Island may be more remote than the others on our island hopping list, but it rewards every minute of the journey. Visitors can arrive by ferry from Jebel Dhanna Jetty in Al Dhannah, fly in on a seaplane from Yas Marina or sail in on private boat trips organised through licensed providers. Once here, have your pick of pastimes like game drives, horse riding, kayak mangrove tours and snorkelling excursions.

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10. Reaching remote islands

You’ve just seen nine islands worth exploring, but Abu Dhabi is an archipelago made up of more than 200. What about the rest? While many of them lack comprehensive facilities or are not open to visitors, others are absolutely worth the effort – you’ll just need to plan ahead.

Charter companies based at coastal locations like the Corniche and Yas Marina offer a wide variety of options, helping you reach off-the-grid destinations like Samaliyah Island, Al Futaisi Island and Marawah Island. If you prefer total flexibility, chartering a private boat may be your best transportation option. With the right planning and permissions, even Abu Dhabi’s most secluded islands open up to you.

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FAQs about island hopping in Abu Dhabi

Not always. Many of Abu Dhabi’s top island destinations, like Yas, Saadiyat, Al Maryah and Hudayriyat, are connected to the mainland by bridge and can be reached easily by car. That said, if you’re planning to explore more remote islands such as Al Maya, Sir Bani Yas or Dalma, you’ll need to book a ferry, private charter or guided boat tour.


Boat trips in Abu Dhabi are widely available and range from scenic cruises to full-day island-hopping adventures with snorkelling and lunch included.

Yes – and because Sir Bani Yas takes around two hours to reach via boat, it’s highly recommended to stay overnight at one of the three luxury Anantara resorts: Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Al Sahel Villa Resort and Al Yamm Villa Resort, each located in a different natural setting, from open savannah to beachfront and mangroves.

 

The ideal time for island hopping in Abu Dhabi is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm and sea conditions are calm.


During the summer months, high temperatures can make outdoor activities challenging, especially on smaller or undeveloped islands. For a comfortable experience, plan your boat trip in Abu Dhabi during the cooler seasons, and always bring sun protection, water and light layers, even in the winter months.