Spend a day at a water or theme park
Pending completion of the various mega-projects on Saadiyat, most tourist interest is currently focused on the gleaming Yas Island named the world’s leading tourism project at the 2009 World Travel Awards. Motorsports are the main draw here, centred on the Yas Marina Circuit.
There are more fast cars and other adrenaline-fuelled action close by at the vast Ferrari World theme park claimed to be the world’s largest indoor theme park, set in a huge building looking something like a huge, bright-red octopus. Attractions range from a white-knuckle rollercoaster and other heart-pumping rides to gentler attractions and displays on Ferrari’s illustrious motor-racing history.
Other attractions scattered about the island include the state-of-the-art Yas Waterworld Waterpark and the Warner Bros World which features a wide variety of rides, attractions, and entertainment based on the popular characters and franchises from Warner Bros.
You can go on a wildlife safari on an island
On Sir Bani Yas Island, just 8km off the western coast of Abu Dhabi, the Arabian Wildlife Park is a protected reserve. Conservation programs are at work to save endangered and extinct species.
Over 17,000 animals, including Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, spotted deer and giraffes roam freely on the island. Conservation efforts on the island extend to the indigenous flora and mangroves.
Hotels on the island can organize nature and wildlife drives by 4x4. You’ll tour the island’s landscape of wadis, savannah and grasslands, accompanied by well-informed safari guides.
Go horse riding on the beach, try mountain biking or go on guided walks. Watersports such as kayaking, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling are also available for thrill-seeking love birds.
