Joanna James
Once a private island, Sir Bani Yas Island is now a wildlife reserve granting the wish of its previous owner. This capsule of natural beauty is a must-visit.
One of the reasons as to why you should visit this island beautified by nature is its unparalleled accommodation options. An essential part of sightseeing Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is well equipped with the likes of Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara.
The Island can only be accessed by boat or a private aircraft, which means that your retreat cannot get more exclusive than this. The accommodation and the cuisine are Arabian in every sense of the word, and your stay is going be unlike what you’ve experienced before.
Home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, this part of the island shelters no less than 160 animal species – the island is home to giraffes, cheetahs, dolphins, sea turtles and hyenas. The mangrove lagoon is populated by both sea creatures and birds. Also, guests are given a chance to plant a mangrove to promote the perseverance of nature.
In addition to its natural flamboyance, the island is also archaeologically important. There are 42 historical sites found on the island, one of which include the remains of Nestorian Christian Monastery. It is speculated that the monastery was built for monks who were involved in the pearl trade for which the island had earned some reputation. Visitors can learn more about the history as well as the recent role of the island while on tour.
The unique formation of the island provided the Bani Yas tribe with a living who inhabited the island 100 years ago. Around 80% of the island is formed of salt, which is what made the mining a possibility. The composition of the island is mostly of minerals which ranges over a spectrum of colours: pale yellow, deep purple, mauve, green and red. The formation of salt domes began over 600 million years ago, and that was caused by tectonic plate movements.
The desert activities distinguish the UAE from other travel destinations, and Sir Yas Bani Island doesn’t stray from the gift of desert activities. Visitors can spoil themselves with a range of activities including hiking, biking and horseback riding. But if you are more of a water-sports lover, you can take to kayaking, snorkelling and diving. For those who’d like to keep their feet dry, there are many land-based activities available which include archery, exploring wildlife, land sailing, culture and history tours.
Guests can choose from a wide variety of dining options – middle Eastern cuisine, seafood, Italian cuisine, African cuisine are some of the choices available to visitors. Usual dinner time favourite is sweet peri-peri chicken accompanied by a dish of rice and potato wedges, and the breakfast menu usually contains smoked salmon, fresh fruits, cheeses, pastries, beans, eggs and sausages.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
