Sir Bani Yas, UAE

Posted on by Lea Ann Reynolds
Everyone has a sign! Even Sir Bani Yas!

We finally are able to visit the island of Sir Bani Yas. The weather was perfect! Its only 71 degrees but with the low wind its feels amazing! It took quite some time to get to the island from the ship because we were tendering. We had to get a ticket and wait for our number to be called. We waiting another 1/2 hour in the lounge before we moved to the boat.

Our Ship in the distance

They are the lifeboats used on the ship and can hold quite a few people at a time. We finally made it ashore and its a pretty little island with white sandy beaches with millions of little shells on the beach. The area is in the middle of nowhere basically. There are mountains on the other side of the small river that were really pretty.

Smoking Shisa from a hookah. We didn’t experience this.

We couldn’t get much of a story on the island but we asked if it was inhabited and were told no, so I took to Wikipedia and found the truth. Right? 


Sir Bani Yas is 10.9 miles from north to south and 5.6 miles from east to west, making it the largest natural island in the United Arab Emirates.

The mountains across the lagoon

It was originally home to Arabia’s largest wildlife reserve. Spanning over 34 sq mi, the reserve was established in 1977 by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.  Thanks to decades of conservation work and ecological investment, it is now home to thousands of large free-roaming animals and several million trees and plants.

Sports for everyone!


A bird sanctuary as well as a wildlife reserve, Sir Bani Yas showcases nature through activities such as adventure safaris, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, hiking and snorkeling. The area we were in was just for cruise tourists. The cruise companies bring people in to swim and of course eat and party until we leave.

Sunbathing on a white sandy beach!

Across the lagoon, however, on the northwest side of the island, is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa and home to three restaurants, a spa, health club, kids club and business facilities. So to answer our earlier question, it is inhabited, just on the other side.

Kids had water sports

I am sure the nature reserve would have been exciting to see but we didn’t purchase that excursion on this trip. The island where we were located is unique and resembles a resort. It was another nice relaxing day.

Our ride back to the ship!

Tonight we have our last formal night for this cruise. The only reason I’m excited is because we also have lobster and prawns at dinner! My favorite next to crab legs. Tomorrow we are back in Abu Dhabi. We didn’t do an excursion on the last trip but will on this one.

Peace!

Hopefully we’ll learn more about the city. Our 30 day cruise is coming to an end. We have enjoyed it except for last weeks unruly kids and adults. We’ll spend 3 days in Dubai to ring in the new year and then its off to Bali, Indonesia. I’m beyond excited for this next adventure. I just hope its warm enough to use the private pool. 

May God bless you always!

Chuck & Lea Ann

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