Beach Heaven

Head to one of Abu Dhabi’s golden beaches to soak up some rays and relax in its turquoise waters

Saadiyat Beach Club

The Corniche

The beating heart of the city, Abu Dhabi’s Corniche is an 8km promenade that is home to lifeguarded beaches, restaurants, cafes, children’s play areas and cycle and pedestrian pathways. Located at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi on the Corniche is the Nation Riviera Beach Club (nationrivierabeachclub.com), which offers amazing views of the bay. The club is opened to hotel residents, members and guests for a day and is accessible via air conditioned tunnels. Enjoy its private sandy beach, swimming pool, bar, outdoor Jacuzzi and the Pirate Ship indoor-outdoor kids play area.

Yas Beach

Facilities at this pristine beach are second-to-none, and include a shaded kids’ splash pool, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, jet skis, volleyball, an authentic Italian pizza restaurant and a stylish beach lounge (adults only on Fridays) complete with DJ booth and infinity pool. Guests staying at any of Yas Island’s seven hotels and hotel apartments can enjoy complimentary access to the crystal clear waters and natural mangrove surrounds, in the tranquil getaway at the beach. Yas Plaza guests will need to collect a voucher from their hotel reception to enter for free.

yasbeach.ae Saadiyat Beach

This 9km ribbon

of pristine white sand has a magnificent public beach, as well as private sections that can be accessed from all

Turtles on Saadiyat Beach

of the island's hotels (see page 18), and from the super stylish Saadiyat Beach Club (saadiyatbeachclub.ae) with its own outdoor pool, workout room, private cabanas and more. Visitors can also take part in beach yoga classes and ecofriendly watersports activities. Go from April to August for the chance to spot endangered hawksbill turtles that come to nest each year among the dunes. Saadiyat.ae

Zaya Nurai Island

The ultimate escape, this private-island resort is reached in 15 minutes by private speedboat from Saadiyat Island. More akin to the Maldives than the Arabian Peninsula, the boutique private island’s 32 villas offer direct beach access, plunge pools and personal butlers. Inspired by the Arabic word ‘nur’ meaning light, the island offers plenty of authentic dining options supporting a fresh food-to-fork philosophy.

Zayanuraiisland.com

BECOME AN ABU DHABI SPECIALIST

Register for your chance to win a 5-star trip to Abu Dhabi, plus one of 100 Love2Shop vouchers worth £50

The Abu Dhabi Specialist online learning program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and resources to sell more unique holidays to Abu Dhabi. Learn how to overcome booking barriers, receive tailored itineraries for different types of clients, get insider tips from locals and more. Gain the knowledge to create that dream holiday for your clients – become an Abu Dhabi Specialist today!