Joanna James
For a peaceful escape surrounded by nature, wildlife, and rugged terrain, Sir Bani Yas Island is a must-visit. Located just off the coast of Dubai, it offers something for everyone.
Many people visit Sir Bani Yas Island to see its 17,000 animals that roam freely. This is all thanks to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late founder of the UAE, who loved nature and wanted to protect wildlife. You can explore the Arabian Wildlife Park on a safari tour. It’s sure to be a memorable experience, filled with encounters with gazelles, oryx, giraffes, ostriches, hyenas, and cheetahs. You might also spot the Egyptian jerboa – a tiny animal with springy legs.
No matter how old you are, you can try archery if you visit Sir Bani Yas Island. It’s one of the many reasons why people come to this wonderful place. You can try shooting arrows in the desert, and as you get better at it, the targets can be moved farther away. Needless to say, this activity is fun, but it also helps you focus and aim better. A typical archery session lasts about one and a half hours, and anyone over the age of six can give it a go. The activity is offered at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, one of the Abu Dhabi luxury hotels.
Arabian horses are known for their strength and have been travelling companions to Bedouin tribes for centuries. If you want to experience a bit of Arabian culture, make time to visit the island’s stables, where there are about 30 horses. If it’s your first time horse riding, you can choose a calm-tempered horse or go on a guided tour across the sand dunes. If you’re an experienced rider, you can ride an Arabian stallion through the park on a trail.
The waters surrounding the island are full of marine life. Dolphins, hawksbill turtles, and dugongs are among the highlights. To see even more, you can go snorkelling around the protected coral reefs, where fish species like angelfish, groupers, batfish, and barracuda thrive. To explore the coastline, try kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or both!
Once the falcons were hunters, but today, they’ve sort of become pets, admired for their beauty and speed. Falcons can fly as fast as 360 km per hour, which is why falconry is a popular sport in the UAE. If you don’t have time to visit the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, you can still meet a falconer on Sir Bani Yas Island. They will demonstrate how falcons are trained for races. You can also watch the birds being fed and even hold one in your hand.
Sir Bani Yas Island is not like the man-made islands in Abu Dhabi. It began as a salt deposit, and over 600 million years, it formed layers of limestone and sandstone. Join a guided tour to see dry riverbeds, where you can find salt domes and old fossils. You can also go hiking and mountain biking through the rugged terrain. Some guided tours even include historical sites like old tombs and watchtowers. You might come across a Christian monastery, which is believed to have been built around 600 AD.
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.
