United Arab Emirates
Sir Bani Yas Island is an 87 square-kilometre natural island in the Arabian Gulf, roughly 150 km west of Abu Dhabi city in the Al Dhafra Region. Developed from the 1970s by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as a private wildlife sanctuary, it now operates as the Arabian Wildlife Park — a protected reserve with more than 17,000 free-roaming animals, three Anantara resorts along its coast, and the excavated remains of a 7th-century Christian monastery. This guide covers the conservation story, what wildlife you can realistically expect to see, the three hotels, how to get there, and when to visit.
At a Glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Dhafra Region, ~150 km west of Abu Dhabi city |
| Total area | ~87 km² (one of the UAE's largest natural islands) |
| Status | Protected nature reserve; access by hotel booking or pre-booked package only |
| Wildlife species count | ~30+ species, ~17,000+ free-roaming animals |
| Headline animals | Arabian oryx, sand and mountain gazelle, giraffe, cheetah, hyena, flamingo |
| Hotels | Three Anantara properties (Desert Islands, Al Sahel, Al Yamm) |
| Activities | Wildlife drives, mountain biking, kayaking, archery, falconry, monastery tour |
| Hours | Year-round; daytime drives Nov–Mar, dawn/dusk drives May–Sep |
| Access | Ferry from Jebel Dhanna jetty (~30–40 min) or seaplane from Abu Dhabi |
| Distance from central Abu Dhabi | ~150 km drive + ~30–40 min ferry |
| Distance from Dubai | ~250 km drive + ferry (3–3.5 hours total) |
| Best for | Safari enthusiasts, honeymooners, archaeology buffs, wildlife photographers |
The Island
Sheikh Zayed's Wildlife Vision
Sir Bani Yas began as a personal project of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE. From the early 1970s, Zayed populated the island with native Arabian species that were collapsing on the mainland — most importantly the Arabian oryx, declared extinct in the wild in 1972. Sir Bani Yas became one of the breeding sanctuaries that brought the species back, and remains one of the world's largest single oryx populations. The broader Abu Dhabi conservation programme — tied to institutions like those behind Qasr Al Watan — is one of the most successful captive-breeding stories in the region.
Arabian Wildlife Park
The Arabian Wildlife Park covers most of the island, fenced off from the resort zones. Inside, animals roam freely across savannah-style grassland, dry scrub, and rocky escarpments. Headline species include:
- Arabian oryx — the signature animal. Once extinct in the wild, now visible on virtually every game drive, sometimes in herds of fifty or more.
- Sand, Arabian, and mountain gazelle — three native species, all easily spotted.
- Reticulated and Rothschild's giraffe — introduced (not native to the UAE), now one of the park's most photographed sights.
- Cheetah — kept in a managed enclosure for visitor viewing.
- Striped hyena and Arabian wolves — present, mostly nocturnal, harder to see.
- Flamingos — pink flocks on the salt flats and coastal lagoons.
- Peafowl, ostrich, and antelope — including blackbuck, beisa oryx, and Barbary sheep.
Total numbers vary by source and year, but estimates consistently fall around 17,000+ animals across thirty-plus species. Game drives traverse the park in open-sided vehicles with naturalist guides.
The Hotels
Three Anantara properties operate on the island, each with a different feel — pick deliberately.
- Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa — the largest and most family-friendly, set on a low cliff with conventional rooms and suites, two pools, multiple restaurants, and the main hub for activity bookings. The default choice for first-time visitors.
- Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort — the savannah lodge. Thirty stilted villas sit inside the wildlife park itself, so oryx, gazelle, and giraffe wander past your terrace. The most distinctive option for wildlife photographers.
- Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort — beachfront private villas with plunge pools along a quiet stretch of coast. The romantic, adults-leaning option, popular for honeymoons.
Capacity across the three is deliberately limited to keep guest density low. All rates include ferry transfers.
Activities
Wildlife Drives
The headline activity. A two-hour open-vehicle game drive through the Arabian Wildlife Park is what most visitors come for. Morning drives depart around sunrise, afternoon drives in the last two hours of daylight — the windows when animals are most active. Naturalist guides take small groups (two to six per vehicle) along a route that varies with herd movement. Approximate price: AED 200–350 per adult. Expect oryx, gazelle, giraffe, and ostrich on a normal drive; cheetah viewing is at a separate enclosure; carnivore sightings are bonuses.
Mountain Biking
A network of unpaved tracks crosses the island; Anantara rents bikes by the hour. Routes climb a low jebel in the centre for Gulf views or skirt the coastline. Best in cooler months and at the edges of the day.
Kayaking
Small mangrove stands on the eastern shore are paddled on guided kayak tours — quieter and less developed than the better-known Abu Dhabi city mangrove paddles. Sheltered and suitable for first-timers.
Archery
Anantara runs daily archery sessions — a low-stakes 30-minute activity good for families. Falconry demonstrations are scheduled most days at the main resort.
Christian Monastery Site
In 1992, archaeologists discovered the remains of a 7th-century AD Christian monastic settlement on the island — one of the only excavated pre-Islamic Christian sites in the Gulf. It includes a small church with traces of stucco decoration, monastic cells, and ancillary buildings. Visits are by guided tour only, free of charge, and last about 45 minutes. For visitors who care about regional history, this is the most distinctive thing on the island.
Beaches
Each hotel has its own private beach — calm, shallow water, warm year-round. Snorkelling and SUP available through the resort activity desks.
Getting There
Ferry from Jebel Dhanna
The standard route. Drive to Jebel Dhanna jetty — roughly 2.5 hours from central Abu Dhabi and 3 to 3.5 hours from Dubai. Hotel guests check in at the terminal and take a scheduled ferry across, around 30 to 40 minutes. Park at Jebel Dhanna and collect on return; cars are not needed on the island, where transfers run between resorts and activity points.
Seaplane from Abu Dhabi
Anantara, in partnership with Seawings, runs scheduled seaplane transfers from Abu Dhabi. The flight takes around 30 minutes and lands at the island's seaplane base, replacing the entire drive-plus-ferry leg. It is a premium option but turns the journey itself into a sightseeing flight along the western coast — best for short stays where the drive consumes too much of the trip.
Drive Plus Ferry from Dubai
For Dubai-based visitors, allow a half-day each way. Drive south on the E11 through Abu Dhabi to Tarif, then west to Jebel Dhanna — approximately 250 km, three hours plus stops. Combine with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on the way out, or Yas Marina Circuit on the way back.
Day-Trip Packages
The island is not open to walk-up day visitors. Anantara sells day-trip packages including ferry, lunch, and one wildlife drive — approximately AED 800–1,200 per adult. Pre-booking is required.
Best Time to Visit
- November to March — the obvious window. Daytime temperatures are 18–28 °C, drives are comfortable in mid-morning and afternoon, and wildlife is most active.
- April and October — shoulder seasons. Drives shift towards early morning and late afternoon. Hotels are noticeably cheaper than peak winter rates.
- May to September — high summer, with daytime highs above 40 °C. Drives are restricted to dawn and dusk. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and the resorts remain comfortable thanks to AC and shaded pools.
For wildlife photography, November to February gives the best combination of light, animal activity, and comfortable in-vehicle conditions.
Practical Notes
- All visits require a hotel booking or pre-booked package — the island is not open to drop-in day visitors
- Ferry transfers are included in hotel rates and most packages; check the schedule when booking
- Children are welcome at Desert Islands and Al Yamm; Al Sahel is best for older children comfortable with a quieter setting
- All three hotels are licensed; alcohol is served at the resorts
- Mobile coverage is patchy inside the wildlife park; Wi-Fi is available at the resorts
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light long-sleeved layer for early-morning drives — the wind in an open vehicle can be cool at sunrise
- Closed-toe shoes are sensible for wildlife drives, mountain biking, and the monastery tour
- Drone photography is restricted; check with the resort before flying anything
Nearby
The Al Dhafra Region is the less-visited western half of Abu Dhabi emirate. Liwa Oasis — the UAE's most spectacular dune landscape — is 2.5 to 3 hours south of Jebel Dhanna and pairs naturally with Sir Bani Yas as a multi-day western road-trip. Delma Island is reached by a separate ferry from the same area. Closer to the capital, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr Al Watan are logical bookends to the long drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sir Bani Yas Island?
Sir Bani Yas is an 87 km² natural island in the Arabian Gulf, about 150 km west of Abu Dhabi. Developed from the 1970s by the late Sheikh Zayed as a wildlife sanctuary, it now operates as the Arabian Wildlife Park with around 17,000 free-roaming animals across 30-plus species, three Anantara hotels, and a 7th-century Christian monastery site.
How do I get to Sir Bani Yas Island?
Most visitors drive to Jebel Dhanna jetty (2.5 hours from Abu Dhabi or 3 to 3.5 hours from Dubai) and take a 30 to 40 minute ferry. A Seawings seaplane transfer from Abu Dhabi (~30 minutes) is the premium alternative. The island is not open to walk-up visitors.
Can you visit Sir Bani Yas as a day trip?
Yes, but only via a pre-booked Anantara package, typically including ferry, lunch, and one wildlife drive. Approximate cost is AED 800 to 1,200 per adult depending on season.
What animals can you see at Sir Bani Yas?
Common sightings include Arabian oryx, sand and mountain gazelle, giraffe, ostrich, and various antelope. Cheetah are kept in a managed viewing enclosure. Less commonly seen are striped hyena and Arabian wolves. Flamingos appear on the salt flats and coastal lagoons.
Where do you stay on Sir Bani Yas Island?
Three Anantara properties: Desert Islands Resort & Spa (main, family-friendly), Al Sahel Villa Resort (savannah-style villas inside the wildlife park), and Al Yamm Villa Resort (beachfront villas with plunge pools, popular for honeymoons). All three include ferry transfers.
Is Sir Bani Yas open year-round?
Yes. Daytime wildlife drives are most comfortable from November to March (18–28 °C). From May to September, drives shift to dawn and dusk to avoid the heat.
How much is a wildlife drive at Sir Bani Yas?
A standalone two-hour open-vehicle game drive costs roughly AED 200 to 350 per adult. Drives are also bundled into day-trip and hotel packages.
What is the Christian monastery on Sir Bani Yas?
A 7th-century AD pre-Islamic Christian monastic settlement, discovered in 1992 and partly excavated — one of the only excavated Christian sites in the Gulf. Guided tours are free and last about 45 minutes.
Is Sir Bani Yas suitable for children?
Yes, with caveats. Desert Islands is the most family-friendly and runs a kids' programme; Al Yamm suits couples; Al Sahel is best for older children. The long transit can be tiring for toddlers.
How far is Sir Bani Yas from Dubai?
Approximately 250 km by road to Jebel Dhanna jetty (3 to 3.5 hours) plus a 30 to 40 minute ferry — total one-way transit around 4 hours. The seaplane from Abu Dhabi cuts this significantly.