The United Arab Emirates is admired for its magnificent structures – both natural and human made. Some artificial islands have even captured the hearts of tourists and expatriates from all over the globe. One of them is Yas Island.
Located 20 kilometres from the heart of Abu Dhabi, Yas Island is a popular leisure destination that features internationally renowned attractions, like Warner Bros. World, CLYMB Abu Dhabi, and the Yas Marina Circuit. It also houses Ferrari World, the Middle East’s first and only Ferrari-branded theme park, and Yas Waterworld, water’s greatest playground.
Getting ready to visit Yas Island soon? This guide offers helpful information you need to have the best trip there.
Table of Contents
What to Do on Yas Island
Although it also houses a few residential communities, Yas Island’s primary purpose is to entertain travellers from within and outside the UAE. This is exactly why the island became a world-famous leisure destination.
If you’re planning to visit soon, here are three major activities you need to accomplish to have a genuinely good time there:
Stay
Since it is designed for tourism, Yas Island houses numerous hotels that offer various unique amenities to accommodate the specific needs of their guests.
For instance, families travelling to the UAE capital can have the best vacation with their children if they book a room at one of the following hotels:
- WB Abu Dhabi Hotel
- Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
- DoubleTree by Hilton
Meanwhile, those who want a one-of-a-kind retreat should consider the accommodations listed below:
- W Hotel Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- Hilton Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- Radisson Blu Hotel
Eat
Want to experience a gastronomic adventure around the world in one place? On Yas Island, you can go on a global culinary journey within just a few days.
Housing some of the most sophisticated restaurants in Abu Dhabi, the island is a great venue for discovering hundreds of unique dishes to liven up your meals.
Below are several popular food establishments you’ll find there:
- Galito’s
- P.F. Chang’s
- Texas Roadhouse
- Black Tap Graph Burgers and Shakes
- Cipriani
- Café Del Mar Abu Dhabi
- The Lighthouse
- Ana Restaurant
- Shake Shack
- Stars ‘N’ Bars
Besides these restaurants, several dining venues let you enjoy delectable food while basking in the beauty of Yas Island, particularly the Yas Marina, Yas Links, and The Fountains in Yas Mall.
In short, a trip to Yas Island will not only fill your tummy but also your soul.
Play
Have the ultimate fun time with kids and kids-at-heart on Yas Island, where you’ll find three massive amusement parks, a record-breaking adventure hub, a world-famous racetrack, and many more.
Below are some of the island’s destinations that are worth checking out:
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Quench your thirst for speedy adventures at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Aside from housing Formula Rossa – the fastest roller coaster on Earth, the park has several other rides that offer a unique thrill of their own, such as:
- Turbo Track
- Flying Aces
- Fiorano GT Challenge
- Scuderia Challenge
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Make your trip to Abu Dhabi more whimsical by adding a visit to Warner Bros. World to your itinerary. There, you can rub elbows with your favourite superheroes and cartoon characters and experience what it’s like to be in their ‘natural environment’.
Divided into six ‘lands’, the theme park offers over 40 rides and attractions that will surely make your visit much more unforgettable, including:
- Batman: Knight Flight
- The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure
- Scooby Doo: The Museum of Mysteries
- Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin
- Ani-Mayhem
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi
Looking for the perfect spot to beat the heat on your Abu Dhabi trip? Visit Yas Waterworld, one of the largest and most incredible water parks in the UAE.
Offering more than 40 rides, slides and attractions, the park has something for everyone – even younger children. While you’re there, you can let the littlest of the group enjoy some water-based fun with the following attractions:
- Cannon Point
- Tot’s Playground
- Yehal
Meanwhile, the older kids and adults can have the ultimate family fun in Water Wars, Yadi Yas, Al Raha River, Marah Fortress, and Cinesplash.
Want something more heart-pounding?
Water park veterans can experience an adrenaline rush as they slide ten stories down on the Jebel Drop, the region’s highest speed slide, or ride the world’s biggest sheet wave in Bubbles Barrel.
Below is a list of the other thrilling water attractions at Yas Waterworld:
- Liwa Loop
- Slither Slides
- Bandit Bomber
- Hamlool’s Humps
- Rush Rider
CLYMB Abu Dhabi
Craving an adrenaline-pumping experience that will put your courage to the test? Head to CLYMB Abu Dhabi and try their unparalleled indoor climbing wall and skydiving chamber.
While the destination caters to climbers and flyers of all skill levels, it is most famous for the highly thrilling attractions designed for those who want to take on a bigger challenge.
Without further ado, here are CLYMB’s record-breaking attractions:
- The SUMMYT is the highest indoor climbing wall on the planet, towering at 43 metres (138 feet).
- CLYMB Indoor Flight Chamber is a massive wind tunnel designed for indoor skydiving with a record-breaking size of 32 metres by 9.7 metres (104 feet by 32 feet) and powered by 16 fans.
When to Visit Yas Island
Yas Island is packed with tourists during the cooler months in the UAE, especially in September, December, and January. This is mainly due to the ideal weather conditions in the country during these months.
However, you can still have a great time on the island outside the winter season since plenty of attractions there are located indoors. This way, you don’t have to worry about the desert heat since you’ll spend most of your time in air-conditioned spaces.
How to Get to Yas Island
Getting excited to experience everything Yas Island has to offer? Here are a few directions you can use for smoother, less stressful travel:
- By bus: Ride the local bus that takes you through the 190 route from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. This will take you straight to the heart of Yas Island.
- By car: Take the E10 or E12 highway if you’re coming from Abu Dhabi or the E11 from Dubai. Then, follow the signs to Yas Island or pin the location to your maps app and follow the directions.
- By shuttle: Complimentary shuttles are available for guests from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These will take you directly to specific parts of Yas Island. Check the island’s official website for the Yas Express route and schedule.
Stay, Eat, and Play to the Fullest
Deemed one of the most popular entertainment hubs in the UAE, Yas Island offers everything you’ll ever need to have a wonderful vacation in the country’s capital.
Plan your trip using this article as a guide and stay, eat, and play to your heart’s content.
