YOUR ESSENTIAL HUDAYRIYAT ISLAND GUIDE

Bucket list things to do on this action-packed isle

Just a short drive away from the heart of the capital city lies its adventure hub and brainchild of developers Modon, Hudayriyat Island. Whether you’re looking to experience unrivalled adventure, leisure, or dining, this is the place you want to be in Abu Dhabi. Spread across close to 30 sq.km, you’ll need days to discover and enjoy everything Hudayriyat offers, but a great way to get started on that might be with a weekend visit, daycation, or staycation that is built around the activities you seek to experience.

01

Enjoy a stay at Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat Villas

While often known for its glamping, we’re highlighting a different area of the property. Its brand-new extension of incredible villas pushing the property’s luxury quotient to unprecedented heights, high-luxury island indulgence awaits at Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat Villas. Ideal for a weekend getaway or as the ideal couple’s retreat, you can cut off and recharge at this pristine oasis, with a private pool, unparalleled sunset views, and even a backyard hammock at your disposal.

Their recently unveiled collection of stunning overwater villas will have you admiring the skyline of the city, regardless of whether you call it home on the regular or are dropping by as a guest.

When you’re ready to dine, there’s plenty to pick from, including La Cocinna where you can dine in sun-drenched brilliance, or 28 Degrees, which serves global cuisine. With excellent, personalised service and zippy buggies always around to get you from A to B, you feel like you’re well and truly on vacation.

02

Watch, or participate in state-of-the-art sporting action

The 321 Sports complex on Hudayriyat seemingly has it all, and if you’re in town to feed your sports fix, this is where you need to be. With everything from a fitness zone, football pitch, running track, basketball and tennis courts, this is your one-stop sports hub on the island.

The facility has just undergone a major expansion, which completely transforms the island’s state-of-the-art catalogue of sporting offerings.

To dig deeper, the expansion adds one indoor FIFA-approved full-sized football and rugby pitch, two elite FIFA- and World Rugby-standard natural grass fields, two full-size football fields with the latest astroturf technology, four seven-a-side, and six five-a-side football pitches, one cricket pitch and two batting cages. For racquet sports lovers, pick from six shaded tennis courts and five indoor padel courts. Lastly, a 25-metre, semiolympic swimming pool is also part of plans. Book via 321sports.ae.

03

Embrace nature and heritage at Hudayriyat Heritage Trail

Find yourself walking down a path of history, nature, heritage, and relics that tell a story on their own. An odyssey of this trail will give you the opportunity to learn and absorb more about the cultural background, heritage and nature of the region. Go on the Pearl Oyster Shell Node, which sheds light on large collections of shells and bones located on the beaches of Hudayriyat, with various species on display. On the Dugong expedition, you’ll learn more about these marine herbivores, of which 3,000 are said to inhabit Abu Dhabi’s waters, with the Arabian Gulf reportedly housing the second largest population of these creatures on the planet.

Learn more about sharks and rays that inhabit these waters, with around eight species that have been exploited and used for food or ornaments. Lastly, you can find out more about shells found on Hudayriyat island, including oysters, clams and other shells.

04

Throw caution to the wind at Circuit X

Give in to the thrill-seeker in you at Circuit X’s portfolio of attractions.

The Splash Park, designed for children, features an exciting array of temperature-controlled, waterbased activities including water slides, fountains, and wet and dry play areas, with coaches for training and supervision. Children from one to three years of age need to be accompanied by an adult.

At the Skate Park, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned whiz on wheels, you can venture into several zones that include ledges, pipes, handrails and bridges. Activities are restricted to skaters over five years old.

Keep your adrenaline pumping at the third of Circuit X’s exciting attractions, the Ropes Park. A rope course that includes a zipline that has you shooting through the air over 100 metres, no less, make your way through 31 obstacles, a free-fall jump circuit and a climbing wall.

Finally, there’s the BMX Park. These adored bicycles are long-renowned for their unique design, a rep that includes freewheeling, 360-degree handlebar movement, ramps, stunts and all that fun stuff. At Circuit X’s BMX Park, you’ll experience all of that, with uneven terrain providing the challenge you came for. Coaches are on site to make sure you have what you need.