National park · United Arab Emirates
Sir Bani Yas Island
Enter Sir Bani Yas Island for a day: pay the entry fee (check), take the short coastal trail (30 min) before 11:00, or join a guided wildlife safari (3 h) in winter; avoid the midday heat and bring water.Enter Sir Bani Yas Island for a day: pay the entry fee (check), take the short coastal trail (30 min) before 11:00 AM, or join a guided wildlife safari (3 h) in winter; avoid the midday heat and bring water.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
approximate
Established
1977
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Alcohol is served only in licensed venues such as hotels,…
- United Arab Emirates ↗Alcohol is served only in licensed venues such as hotels, bars and some restaurants; drinking or being drunk in public is an offence.
- United Arab Emirates ↗Cover shoulders and knees in malls, government buildings, souks and mosques; swimwear stays on beaches and at pools.
- United Arab Emirates ↗Keep public behaviour reserved: no kissing or close contact in public, no rude gestures, swearing or arguments online or in person, and ask before photographing people.
- United Arab Emirates ↗Some common medicines (certain painkillers, sleeping pills and ADHD drugs) are controlled here: check the health ministry's rules and carry the prescription before you fly.
- United Arab Emirates ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official government portals; many nationalities enter without a prior visa, others need one in advance.
- Abu Dhabi ↗Non-Muslim visitors may bring up to 4 litres of alcohol into the emirate; hotel bars serve alcohol, and taking bottles home needs a licence.
- Abu Dhabi ↗Cover shoulders and knees inside the Grand Mosque; women need a headscarf there (loaners are provided at the entrance).
- Abu Dhabi ↗During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public view is restricted by day; hotel restaurants and malls keep separate areas.
At a glance
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Area
- 87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
- The reserve covers about 87 km² of land; some sources include surrounding marine area, giving a slightly larger figure (check).
- Established
- 1977
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Abu Dhabi
Sir Bani Yas Island is the UAE’s largest natural island, home to a 87 km² wildlife reserve where free‑range animals, birds and marine life thrive; visitors can explore short coastal trails, desert dunes or join guided safaris, best enjoyed in the cooler months.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1977.
Size and age
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²) · national park since 1977
The reserve covers about 87 km² of land; some sources include surrounding marine area, giving a slightly larger figure (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Abu Dhabi.
Why go
- Wildlife reserve with free‑range animals, birds and marine life.
- Coastal trails and desert scenery on the UAE’s largest natural island.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; ideal for wildlife spotting
- FebMild, low humidity
- MarWarm but still comfortable
- AprRising heat, occasional sandstorms
- MayHot, humidity increasing
- JunVery hot, occasional thunderstorms
- JulPeak heat, limited shade
- AugExtreme heat, low night cooling
- SepHeat eases, still dry
- OctComfortable, low rain
- NovCool, ideal for outdoor activities
- DecMild, pleasant evenings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins and turtles (marine)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Free‑range antelopes, giraffes, ostriches (reserve animals)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey and desert birdsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Ticket office, information desk, short coastal trail start. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Wildlife reserve interior | Free‑range animal habitats, desert dunes, mangroves. | Guided tours recommended; self‑drive allowed on marked roads. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; island centre used for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | AED 150 (≈ US$45) | person | Check current price on official site |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided safari no permit
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit permission from park authorities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; only use designated BBQ areas.
Where to stay
In the park
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island resorts
Luxury villas and spa resorts on the island; book early for availability.
Near the park
Abu Dhabi city
Wide range of hotels; 3‑hour drive to the island.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Wild animal encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area is reachable by car; short trails are wheelchair‑friendly up to the coastal path.
Visiting lightly
- Use the official water‑taxi service to reduce private boat traffic.
- Support the reserve by staying at Anantara resorts that fund conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sir Bani Yas Island?
The standard adult entry fee is about 150 AED (check current price on the official site).
What are the best hikes in Sir Bani Yas Island?
The short coastal trail (30 min, easy) and the desert dune walk (1–2 h, moderate) are the main hikes; guided wildlife safaris add a marine component.
When is the best time to visit Sir Bani Yas Island?
The coolest and driest period is November to March; this is the best time for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing.
How do I get to the island from Abu Dhabi?
Drive 3 h on the E11 to Marsa Jebel Dhanna, then take a 20‑minute water‑taxi to the island.
Are drones allowed on Sir Bani Yas Island?
No, drones require explicit permission from park authorities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Sir Bani Yas Island
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