Sir Bani Yas Island is in Abu Dhabi.

A 2010 picture of Sir Bani Yas Island from space

Understand

Sir Bani Yas Island is 170 km southwest of the city of Abu Dhabi and 9 km offshore from Marsa Jebel Dhanna. The island is the UAE's largest naturally-occurring one, at 17 1/2 km from north to south and 9 km from east to west. Sir Bani Yas plays host to a wildlife reserve whose area is over 87 km2. Many varieties of animals, birds and plants live on the island, and in the water, there are dolphins and turtles.

Get in

Arabian oryxes on the island

Take the E11 in the direction of Ruwais, roughly a 3-hour drive. Follow signs for a turnoff to Marsa Jebel Dhanna. From there, a water taxi to the island takes 20 minutes. If you are staying in one of Anantara's resorts on the island, the water taxi is complimentary, but you should contact crome@anantara.com and provide your reservation number to have a seat reserved for you.

You could also take a limo from Abu Dhabi city or Dubai or a chartered plane from Abu Dhabi city, if you really have money to burn.

See and do

One of the resident wild giraffes

The stars of the wildlife preserve are the flora and fauna, and a major attraction, therefore, is to go on a safari. However, you can also experience the island's hilly terrain on a bicycle, hike, snorkel, kayak, or do archery.

Eat and drink

The resorts have restaurants on the premises. Breakfast is complimentary for guests, but you will have to pay extra for other meals.

Sleep

Anantara operates all three accommodations on the island. They are all called resorts and priced accordingly.

• 1 Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, ☏ +971 2 801 5400, dirs@anantara.com. This resort is known for its wildlife safaris. Starting from $220 but quickly climbing. (updated Jan 2017)
• 2 Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort. Another Anantara resort on the island. (updated Apr 2022)
• 3 Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Desert Islands Resort. The third resort on the island. (updated Apr 2022)