Day Trip to Zaya Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi

Day Trip to Zaya Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi

My friend and I did a day trip to Zaya Nurai Island just off the coast of Abu Dhabi in October 2017 and it was amazing, it felt like being in the Maldives, a heavenly, luxury private island only an hour away from Dubai.

At the welcome centre you already feel like you're on “holiday”. Here you check in at the at the bar area or reception desk and pay for your day pass, which is 420 AED (including taxes & fees – more info on this below). It is all redeemable against food and beverages etc on the island.

You can help yourself to a Nespresso coffee or have a juice or water whilst you wait for your boat transfer.

 

When we arrived there was a family checking in as well, who would be taking the boat with us.

We set off, speeding across the water towards the beautiful island, it takes about 10 minutes to get there and is a great journey across the Persian Gulf.

The first thing you see is this LOVE sign - the whole island is very instagrammable from the moment you arrive!

 

We were greeted by a friendly member of staff who gave us all the information we needed about the restaurant opening times and what we could do on the island. They have bikes, but these are only for people actually staying on the island, so you have to call a golf cart to get from one side of the island to the other.

We arrived near the pool area and the family who were on the boat with us settled in here, but we took a golf cart to the beach area on the other side of the island, as we were keen to see the beautiful wooden swing and hammock set out in the sea & it didn't disappoint.

 

We chilled here, swam out to the swings and chilled there for a bit, then came back to chill on the lovely beach side day beds, read a book and relax.

We then took a golf cart back to the other side of the island, so we could have some lunch.

 

After lunch we decided to hang out by the pool. We swam and sunbathed and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.

I had a delicious iced coffee & read a magazine later in the afternoon.




We went back to the sea swings just before sunset to get some photos and enjoy the beach.

Smoking Pineapple Beach Bar

 

 

And then returned back to the other side of the island where the pool is, as it is the best place to watch the sunset and there is a cute little beach bar where you can have a sundowner.

We swam in the sea and enjoyed watching the beautiful sun go down on the island.

After this we showered and got changed and ready for dinner at Dusk (Mexican restaurant) 

 

We didn't drink any alcohol, so we had credit left at the end of the day, which we collected after our meal, before we took the boat back to Abu Dhabi.

My friend and I had an amazing day at Zaya Nurai Island and we hope to stay overnight next time.

We are also keen to do the Friday brunch, which is a popular choice with people living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

But we were glad we went on a Sunday, as it was really quiet and we could relax and enjoy the island. Whereas if you go on the weekend it is very busy.

Zaya Nurai Island day pass information:

You have to call or email and make a reservation for the day trip, so they know you are coming, I emailed with Jannet Kioko to make my arrangements (dining@nurai.com).

Minimum Spend Policy (Saturday to Thursday from 10:00 AM till 7:00PM)

The minimum spend is AED 350*** per person. Inclusive of Pool & Beach Access and transfer via boat from Saadiyat and vice versa. This minimum spend can be used at the facilities of Nurai for Food, Alcohol or Tobacco, watersport & any spa treatment.

Children 4 to 12 years old is 50% discount and below 3 years old is free of charge. 

***Prices do not include 10% service charge & 6% tourism fee + 4% municipality fees.

The reservations desk will email you a copy of the boat schedule and location map for your reference. The boat leaves every hour from 9.30am.

Restaurant and Bar Opening Hours:

Frangipani (International cuisine, all day dining)- 10am-10:00pm

Smokin Pineapple (Pizza restaurant) – 10am-10pm

Dusk (Mexican restaurant)- 5pm-12pm . 11pm

Hooked (Seafood restaurant)- 12pm-4pm for lunch and 7pm-11pm for dinner