Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is one of the most popular islands in the Emirate. Not only does Yas Island harbour most of the Emirate’s theme parks, it also has some of the most amazing hotels and beaches. But what to do on Yas Island? I have listed the 10 best things to do on Yas Island so you can start planning that perfect trip!
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
The place where fiction becomes reality, for the best of reasons. At Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, you’ll be able to stroll through some of your most favourite animated worlds, meet your favourite characters and find some enthralling rides. This state of the art theme park also offers unique live shows to entertain the whole family. Explore the six different worlds of Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, have delicious meals and get your heart pumping in exciting rides.
Remember the Flintstones? Find prehistoric sights and sounds of Bedrock as you cruise the river adventure. Remember the road runner? Remember how fast it went? Join the fast, furry-ous race around coyote country and watch as Coyote tries to catch his friend through dunes and hills. From Tom and Jerry, to Scooby-Doo, to Daffy Duck to Batman, these are just some of the names you’ll encounter at the Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. You will also find physical and mental challenges in the world of The Joker, be able to test your wits at Rogues Gallery Games and be able to engage in a face off against the greatest enemies of The Justice League.
When it comes to food at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, you will be spoilt for choice. Your options vary from Asian to baked goods, Middle Eastern to Italian, and of course the snack bars. Bronto Burgers & Ribs to Mammoth Munchies, Huckleberry Hound Pies to Yogi Bear and Boo Boo Icecream.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi is the place where no one in the family will complain about food and have plenty to occupy themselves with.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is made for those seeking the thrill of velocity. It is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, not surprising from a name like Ferrari. At every corner, you will find an adrenaline rush inducing ride, just waiting to get your heart racing. The Ferrari World is a massive complex, so be ready to spend at least a day exploring all the rides.
You can feel the thrill of being an F1 racer as you drive the scaled down Ferrari F1, for the little ones, you can find simulators, interactive games or an adventure play area so they too can engage in the thrills of the Ferrari World.
The Ferrari World wouldn’t be complete without an Italian Zone, where you can immerse yourself in the charm of the town of Maranello, the home of Ferrari. From the award winning Mamma Rosella trattoria to the Ferrari factory, the Ferrari World ensures a full immersion into the life of Ferrari.
Yas Marina Circuit
The Yas Marina Circuit offers guests all the possible entertainment on a track and beyond. If you’re looking for an out of the box experience, you can find it here. The activities which are always available include: Driving, Dragging, Drifting, Karting, Riding and the Tour. This tour is not just any tour. It’s a venue tour which offers a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes of the Formula 1 Grand Prix races, only the world seen by the teams on the day, one of the biggest sporting events in the Middle East’s calendar. The tour will take you from the pits to the drag strip, a tour not to be missed by any die hard fans.
The other set of activities possible at the Yas Marina Circuit is health and fitness. If what you’re looking for is to get fit, you’ll find that you can run, cycle, walk and much more. There’re also more events, continuously changing to keep you entertained. Carting challenges and the Triyas Challenge are famous ones. This triathlon is entertaining for participants and onlookers alike, considering the venue.
Yas Marina Circuit also offers team building services, group driving experiences and the ability to hire a track and much more. It is safe to say it covers all the aspects a track sport enthusiast would look for.
Clymb Abu Dhabi
Clymb Abu Dhabi is the host to two record breaking experiences, it is the ultimate indoor adventure portal that will shoot you to other dimensions, but what exactly can you find at Clymb Abu Dhabi? You will find indoor skydiving and indoor climbing, and of course, with the touch of Abu Dhabi, both these experiences will be unlike any other to say the least.
The indoor skydiving at Clymb Abu Dhabi is the world’s biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber with a width of 32 feet and height of 104 feet. The chamber is made for experienced flyers as well as beginners, who would be monitored by trained personnel the whole time. Kids as young as 3 can experience the thrill of flying.
The indoor climbing at Clymb Abu Dhabi offers 5 different climbing experiences, amongst this is the Summyt, a 141 feet height wall which is also the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall. The other walls range from 9.8 feet to 72 feet, ensuring beginners and experienced climbers can all enjoy themselves.
Visitors can also observe and enjoy the action from afar. All experiences will be supervised by trained professionals, and anyone who would like to can also partake in lessons with coaches.
Yas Waterworld
The rides and slides here range from relaxed, family friendly, calm splashing around to the Dawwama, the adrenaline inducing world’s largest six person tornado water coaster. You will also find the world’s only suspended waterpark rollercoaster enabling you to glide over Yas Waterworld at high speed and experience all the thrills from above. You can also find the region’s largest wave pool, suited for any age, or the Al Raha River, where you can glide lazily as you enjoy rain showers and waterfalls. For adrenaline junkies, the Liwa Loop, the first freefall drop water slide for an intense water experience. The Cannon Point, Marah Fortress or Tot’s Playground for the younger water explorers, where they can safely enjoy the thrills of the water park.
For the older adventurers, the Bubbles Barrel, where you can surf the world’s largest sheet wave, or the Jebel Drop, to plummet from a 10 stories slide where you will slide from the region’s tallest speed slide. Or you can choose an equally terrifying experience of plummeting from the highest point in Yas Waterworld, Hamlool’s Humps. There’re many others, of varying intensities but equally entertaining, you’re sure to find something to rush into with your entire family. Don’t miss out on Cine Splash, a 5D experience like no other.
Yas KartZone
“Arrive and Drive” is what the Yas KartZone lives by. Created and designed exclusively for driving aficionados, Karting is available 7 days a week from 9 am to 12 midnight, you can literally drive around all day.
Apart from the traditional Karting zones, Yas KartZone offers a Karting Academy, where kids can learn the basics of driving, theory and the mechanical aspect of karts. The programme involves 8, 2 hour lessons, taking place weekly. It’s a great extracurricular activity which also enhances your child’s knowledge in a non academic subject.
You can come as a group and challenge each other on the track, organize special birthday outings and even have a corporate getaway with the corporate karting packages. For those who just want to watch, the Yas KartZone offers a Box Park, specially made to chill from a vantage spot.
Fun Works
Fun Works is all catered to your littlest family members, ready to make them giggle and have then wide eyed at every corner. It has two floors packed with exciting, educational and entertaining activities, from adventure rides, a giant soft play area, learning workshops to toddler playgrounds, you will find something for every age and taste.
Fun Works is where kids can play to their heart’s content, let their imaginations run wild, and encourage their curious minds, it is also where parents can rest and relax knowing everything else is taken care of. Fun Works also organizes customized field trips, themed parties and is the host of many kid friendly dining options, so your kids can run and play then nourish themselves to their heart’s content. Learning while playing is encouraged here, happy kids happy parents.
Yas Mall Dancing Fountain
The Yas Mall Dancing Fountain is so much more than just a water show. You will find world class dining options, from quick bites to fine dining to suit every palate, indoor or outdoor terrace seating to get the most of the amazing choreography. The Yas Mall Dancing Fountain offers the ideal break between adventures, cooling and satisfying. At night the fountains light up, making the place even more magical.
Yas Mall
The Yas Mall offers everything from Shopping to entertainment, all under one roof. Discover the pleasures of having renowned brands all under one roof. Brands ranging from clothing to health and fitness to stationary and home furnishing and accessories. You will find entire department stores within the Yas Mall, making you feel like you visited multiple places without leaving. You will also find unique dining experiences to nourish you during your shopping spree. From Arabian cuisine to European, snacks to hearty meals, no one in your family will be left unsatisfied. You can find famous names such as Burger King and Dunkin Donuts, Godiva, Illy and KFC. There are also other eateries, all worth the try, so visiting the Yas Mall is not just for the purpose of shopping. For entertainment, find Adventure HQ, Fun Works and POP-In & Play by LEGO, as well as the famous VOX Cinemas, giving you an exquisite cinematic experience.
Yas Gateway Park
Yas Gateway Park offers a green break amidst the dense city. A calm space with a play area, barbeque facilities and rest and relaxation for the whole family. You will find tennis courts, jogging tracks and ample space to laze around. Its ideal if you want to take a break from all the fast paced activities, to slow down and take the day as you wish.
What is Yas Island
Covering a total area of 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi), Yas Island is a man made island and is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi. Since 2009 it has been hosting the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. This is just the 2nd Formula One track in the UAE.
Yas Island comprises everything for everyone in need for an entertaining, adventure filled holiday. From leisure activities such as the Etihad Arena, the Yas Beach, Yas Marina, CLYMB Abu Dhabi to more relaxing activities revolving around shopping and sightseeing, such as the Fountain, the Yas Mall and many events all year around.
Yas Island is also home to world renowned theme parks such as the Ferrari World, Yas WaterWorld and Warner Bros. Studios.
How to get to Yas Island from the centre of Abu Dhabi
Okay so now we know what Yas Island is – we need to answer the question how you can get from the centre of Abu Dhabi to Yas Island!
Taxi
Yas Island is a short 25 minute taxi ride from the centre of Abu Dhabi. Simply find a taxi and tell your driver to take you to Yas Island. The fairs are reasonable and booking a taxi is very simple, either call the local taxi hotline or download the Abu Dhabi taxi app.
Public Transport
You are just a single bus ride away from Yas Island. Take the 190 bus route Yas Island via the Abu Dhabi Bus Station next to Al Wahda Mall.
Car
If you’re using your own vehicle to reach Yas Island, you have two routes you can explore, the journey on either route will be no more than 30 mins and equally easy. All you have to do is simply follow the signs.
- Via E10 Highway (Al Raha Beach Highway): head towards Dubai via Maqta Bridge and pass Al Raha Beach Hotel and Raha Mall, afterwhich, simply follow the blue signs that say ‘Yas Leisure Drive’.
- Via E12 Highway (Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway)
Take the Corniche Road towards Mina Zayed Port and follow signs for Yas Island and take the E12 Sheikh Khalifa Highway, then follow the blue signs that say ‘Yas Leisure Drive’.
