Article:
ISSUE No.5 July - August 2007

Desert Islands
Caribbean dreams on the Gulf

Desert Islands, a group of islands west of Abu Dhabi, will be accessible to tourists by 2010. Among them are the larger islands Sir Bani Yas and Dalma, the other six are known as Discovery Islands. They are located eight kilometers away from the UAE coast and about 250 kilometers west of the capital city of Abu Dhabi.

With an investment of three billion US-dollars, builders plan to make this Caribbean dream reality. Visitors to these Desert Islands will find everything they could possibly imagine. There will be 5-star luxury hotels and smaller family resorts. With a total of 4,000 rooms, there will be sufficient space for sun-hungry vacationers. The first luxury hotel is already being built on the largest of the eight islands, the Sir Bani Yas. On the 87 square kilometers, there will also be a national park, a safari park, a bird sanctuary, a cultural center and a marina. The island already harbors the famous Oryx-antelopes, giraffes and a large number of wild birds. Dolphins and large water turtles also inhabit the waters around these islands. This natural preserve has none other than His Highness, the late Sheikh Zayed as its patron. He planted the first tree himself. This once meager island has flourished and is now a green oasis with 18,000 date palms and 3.5 million trees and shrubs. The landscape of this island offers much variety from long beaches to small mountains.

The 33 square kilometer neighbor is Dalma and is 32 kilometers from the Emirati coast and offers archeological finds. The investors and architects are putting the historical value of this island to good use and are erecting an archeological museum, an arts center and a Dhow marina. A nine-hole golf course is being built to lure the sports enthusiasts.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is developing these islands to bring the Caribbean feel to the Gulf and offer another vacation paradise. Guests can take an Abra or ferry from the pier of “Marsa Jabel Dhanna” to get to their accommodations. Cafés, restaurants and shopping opportunities are meant to help shorten the waiting time for the boat ride. Boat owners can use the 20-boat slip facilities at the new Marina Harbor to anchor their boats.

The six Discovery Islands will be used differently. Some of the islands will be nature reserves and refuges for water turtles and wild birds. Other islands will be transformed into luxury islands. Guests will be shuttled by seaplane or private watercraft.

The six Discovery Islands will be used differently. Some of the islands will be nature reserves and refuges for water turtles and wild birds. Other islands will be transformed into luxury islands. Guests will be shuttled by seaplane or private watercraft.