Just 30 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi’s city centre is a multipurpose entertainment and shopping development that has been turning heads worldwide. With a luxury hotel, a top-class golf course and an assortment of theme parks, Yas Island is a testimony to the recent ambition that the United Arab Emirates has shown in reshaping its coastal resort areas. Already a major draw for the city, the project will be fully completed in 2018.
Built half on land and half on water, the five-star hotel Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is a remarkable attraction perfectly suited to this man-made island. The island’s spectacular oceanside setting is well exploited at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, a golf course on Yas Island’s western shore where every one of the 18 holes has an ocean view. The famous course architect Kyle Phillips based the design on courses found in coastal Scotland.
Head to to the award-winning Yas Waterworld, which hosts over 40 exhilarating attractions with a range of difficulty levels. Try out your courage on one of the waterpark’s unique high-excitement rides, or take the kids to the family-friendly Marah Fortress then rent a poolside cabana and enjoy the personalised food service. Meanwhile, on the island’s southern shore, you will find Yas Beach to be a lovely place to relax with a picnic.
Keep your heart rate up with a trip to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, a fascinating theme park that explores the culture and style behind one of the world’s favourite automobiles while also offering a number of unforgettable rides. Try out the Formula Rossa roller coaster to experience the G-forces felt by real Formula 1 drivers while flying around the track at speeds up to 240 kilometres (149 miles) per hour. Yas Island is home to a world-class racetrack of its own, and every November the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place there at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Yas Island is a short drive from central Abu Dhabi. You can also reach the island by boat or on a seaplane. A complimentary shuttle runs between all the island’s main attractions.
