Raphael Fitzherbert
The attractive desert Emirate of Abu Dhabi offers many attractions for the visitor, and undoubtedly one of them is the picturesque islands to be found near the city, as described below.
This popular island is a significant tourist destination which offers a number of attractions for the visitor. You will find a number of fine beaches that compare with the best in the Emirate. This island is largely untouched by the hand of modern development, making it a popular destination for leisure seekers in the weekends, who arrive to have a barbeque on the beach and enjoy the shallow local waters. Those who really wish to party should join the weekly BPM party which is held on Fridays; here you will find grilled meats, lively music and beverages to help you party the evening away.
Delma Island is another attractive islet in the environs of Abu Dhabi. Here the visitor will find a small but significant town with a number of shops as well as a mall. Another intriguing feature is the Delma Museum, which contains a number of engrossing artefacts including a handwritten statement from the former leader Sheikh Zayed which proclaims that Delma is a national asset. The pristine beauty of the island readily demonstrates what the Sheikh meant. This island has also been identified as a future tourist site; therefore a number of hotels and several other developments are planned to be constructed here.
Located within a half hour's drive from Abu Dhabi city, Yas Island has rapidly acquired a strong reputation as a leisure and sporting highlight. Motor racing enthusiasts will be captivated by the world class Yas Marina Circuit where the local Grand Prix race is held. Ferrari fans will be enthralled by the remarkable Ferrari World, which has the distinction of being the first attraction of its kind in the world. If you are a golf aficionado you will be at home on the Yas Links golf course, a championship standard facility. Visitors will also be enthralled by the splendid yachts which congregate here from all around the globe.
This beautiful island will undoubtedly appeal to the nature and wildlife lover as it is a significant natural attraction. The Arabian Wildlife Park, considered to be one of the most expansive wildlife sanctuaries in the region, occupies a large extent of the island. Once a private retreat for the ruler of the Emirate, the island now contains no less than 10,000 freely wandering creatures including numerous Arabian oryxes, cheetahs and giraffes. This splendid wildlife sanctuary may be explored on suitable four wheel drive vehicles. In order to conveniently access the above attractions it is advisable to choose one of the fine Abu Dhabi resorts like the attractive Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara.
This conveniently located island is presently being developed into a classy luxurious cultural and leisure destination. Here you will find noteworthy attractions like the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi, which are all outstanding cultural institutions. Many other features are currently in the process of development at the island. The resorts, museums, business centres and residences at this island are without doubt world class. Saadiyat Beach is also well-known for its conservation programme for the threatened hawksbill turtles; a number of turtle nests produced by this endangered species are created at this beach each year.
