UAE islands you need to visit

The UAE is home to a vast and varied natural landscape, from mountains to beaches and even several islands. Here’s a guide to some of the best islands in the UAE, perfect for your next getaway.

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Al Noor Island

@vanillanoor

Despite being man-made, Al Noor Island in Sharjah is rich in natural beauty. Located in Khalid Lagoon, it features a unique architectural building surrounded by trees. Accessible via a bridge from Buhairah Corniche near Al Noor Mosque. On the island, you can explore gardens, visit the Butterfly House (for an additional fee), relax on the beach, attend sunrise yoga, and unwind at the café among the trees.

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Al Sinniyah Island

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Off the coast of Umm Al Quwain lies Al Sinniyah, a peaceful island home only to birds. Amidst the mangrove forests, you can spot flamingos, herons, and various migratory species. Stretching over 10 km, the island is also rich in desert flora and fauna.

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Shark Island

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Situated off the coast of Khorfakkan on Sharjah’s east coast, Shark Island is a rocky formation in the Indian Ocean, perfect for observing marine life. Several private companies offer boat trips to the island and rent out diving equipment.

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Sir Baniyas Island

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An island rich in history, this ancient site is home to both wildlife and a monastery believed to date back to 600 AD. Today, the island features a wildlife sanctuary where giraffes, rare oryx, and cheetahs roam freely, along with a five-star Anantara villa resort. To book, simply call the provided number, and you’ll depart from the Al Dana Jetty on mainland Abu Dhabi.

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Dalma Island

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With more than 7,000 years of history, Delma Island is one of the oldest inhabited places in the UAE and, perhaps, in the whole Arab Gulf, as well. The island is one of the very few places in the country which still has a very visible cultural heritage, with plenty of date farms and a strong fishing culture. For beach lovers, here you will find the best beaches in the country, which are practically empty and have crystal-clear blue water.

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Nurai Island

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For a luxury island escape, Nurai Island is the perfect destination. Just 15 minutes off the coast of Abu Dhabi, this five-star resort offers five restaurants, a swimming pool, and a variety of watersports.

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Snoopy Island

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Named for its shape, which resembles Snoopy lying on his side, Snoopy Island—also known as Dibba Island—is a prime snorkeling and diving spot in the UAE. Located in the Indian Ocean, this rock formation offers incredible swimming experiences, though you can’t walk on the island itself. The surrounding coral reefs are home to turtles and schools of tropical fish. Access is available from Sandy Beach Resort.

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Al Maya Island

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Popular for camping and barbeques on the beach, it is located approximately 9 kilometres from the Abu Dhabi. This island is privately operated by Abu Dhabi Country Club which means that there are entry fees.

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The World Islands

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A group of 300 small islands, the World is another project in Dubai that stands as one of the best islands in the UAE for vacation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia | vanillanoor

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Hey guys! My name is Claudia, a passionate content creator, video editor, freediver, and mountains & sea lover. I lived in Italy for most of my life and a couple of years ago I relocated to the United Arab Emirates, and I am now based in Dubai. Growing up surrounded by majestic mountains and stunning nature in Italy, I've developed an insatiable thirst for exploration. I started to explore the beauty of the Arabian peninsula since I relocated, and currently I am focused on the United Arab Emirates and Oman. As an expat, I have been exploring and documenting every corner of these countries, and I am still surprised to find new hidden gems and delighted to visit my favourite places again and again. I want to be helpful to make your Middle East experience as smooth as possible - and as well as Italy, my beautiful home country. My maps and guides have a lot of spots saved and organised, including hikes 🥾, lake 🚤, waterfalls 💦, wadi 🏞️, beaches 🏖️, coffee ☕️, lifestyle 🏙️ etc. What else? 🗺️ customs itinerary UAE 🇦🇪, OMAN 🇴🇲, ITALY 🇮🇹: tailor/made trips just for you (disponibile anche in Italiano - также доступно на русском языке) 📌 curated recommendations: discover hidden gems and local favourites. I really hope you like my products and thank you so much for supporting my business, it means the world to me! ————— Subscribe to my Thatch profile to keep up to date with new map releases and special offers. Follow my Instagram 📷 @vanillanoor to check my adventures to get inspired! Let’s start talking about your next trip to the United Arab Emirates, Oman or Italy: email me at vanillanoordxb@gmail.com

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