Mesmerising views, archaeological discoveries and wildlife are what Sir Bani Yas Island is made of. Developed into a tourist hotspot, the island’s offerings range from enthralling activities to stunning views and leisure pleasures.
Location
The island is located 150 miles southwest of the capital of the UAE and shelters some of the top Abu Dhabi beach resorts. Sir Bani Yas Island was a piece of abandoned land since the Bani Yas tribe left a century ago. The island was then transformed into what is now a nature reserve, sheltering endangered creatures from Africa, and attracting tourists from all across the globe.
Reaching Sir Bani Yas Island
This island which stands alone is a wonder of its own kind. As the island already has an airport, guests can simply fly in directly to Sri Bani Yas Island. However, guests of Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort will be rewarded with a water taxi transfer of approximately 15-20 minutes which requires an advance booking, 24 hours before arrival.
Archaeological Importance
The various discoveries that were unearthed by archaeologists include a Christian church and monastery that dates back to the 7th and 8th BC, which evidently proves that Christianity was practised on the island long ago, as well as a trading settlement from the Bronze Age. The island was mentioned in European literature for the first time in 1590 by Gasparo Balbi.
Wildlife
The story of the wildlife in Sir Bani Yas Island begins with the visionary thinking of one man. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who is also the founder of the United Arab Emirates was the one to declare the island as a nature reserve. As a result, it is now a sanctuary for thousands of animals in a space called the Arabian Wildlife Park which covers 1,400 hectares.
