Nurai Island

Nurai Island is a man-made vacation destination located a short distance from Abu Dhabi’s coastline, accessible by ferries and boats. The island features a boutique resort, an ocean-side spa, holiday homes, a beach club, and various fine-dining restaurants and bars, making it one of the top tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to its luxurious accommodations and 11 hectares of pristine white sand beaches, the island offers a range of amenities for visitors. Zaya Nurai Island, a 5-star beach resort, is situated on the island, providing facilities and activities suitable for both children and adults. The resort is surrounded by lush vegetation, soft sands, and clear waters, enhancing the island's appeal as a serene retreat.

• Built along the Arabian Gulf in Abu Dhabi
• One of the best residential islands in Abu Dhabi
• Accessible from Saadiyat Beach and the airport
• Offers luxury holiday homes overlooking the sea
• Home to a seaside spa, 5-star resort and beach club
• Hosts beach parties, corporate events, festivals and more

Nurai Island is a small natural island that has been transformed into a high-end residential and hotel development. The island provides a serene environment with clean air and minimal vehicular traffic. It features a variety of recreational activities, such as land-based entertainment and watersports at the beach. The island includes a mix of landscaped and rustic areas, with sandy paths, mocktail bars, and surfboard counters scattered throughout. With prior arrangements, access to the island is available via boats, ferries, or helicopters.

The island features 32 boutique luxury retreats for hotel guests, a spa, restaurants, a marina, and several recreational facilities such as a non-motorized water sports centre, yoga studio, gymnasium, and tennis court. Nurai Island also includes 28 Beachfront Estates and 12 Water Villas, providing exclusive accommodations. The island is situated in the Arabian Gulf, approximately a ten-minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island, and is easily accessible from Abu Dhabi.

Nadia Zaal developed the 5-star resort Zaya Nurai Island and also partnered to develop Al Barari Dubailand, an exclusive residential address in Dubai.

Nurai Island also offers two Beachfront Estates: the Shoreline and the Seaside. Both residences are designed to maximize natural light through large floor-to-ceiling windows and soaring loft spaces. A distinctive feature of these beachfront estates is the green carpet that covers the area, creating an effect of integration with the lush island surroundings. The properties are known for their spacious layouts and high level of privacy, providing a distinct advantage over other luxury developments at similar price points.

The Island offers a variety of properties, ranging from 1 and 2-bedroom beachside villas to larger, exclusive 6-bedroom mansions. A quick trip down the street reveals a series of luxurious properties for sale on Nurai Island. These properties are often sought after by individuals looking for guest houses or holiday homes that can generate profitable returns. Currently, rental properties on Nurai Island are not available, but short-term stays can be arranged at the 5-star resort. The independent properties on the island are surrounded by grass canopies, offering views of the ocean, with amenities such as gourmet mini-bars, outdoor lounges, dining spaces, outdoor showers, pools, and loft-style living rooms. The 4-bed villa on Nurai Island and the 4-bedroom water villas for sale are popular choices among buyers. The 4-bed villa on Nurai Island and the 4-bedroom water villas for sale are popular choices among buyers. The 4-bed villa on Nurai Island and the 4-bedroom water villas for sale are popular choices among buyers.

The Zaya Nurai Island Resort offers a selection of luxury properties for those seeking a private getaway. These include 1-bedroom Beach Villas, 2-bedroom Beach Houses, 2-bedroom Sea View Houses, 4-bedroom Water Villas, and 5-bedroom Estate Villas. All of these properties feature palm-fringed lawns, terraces, and at least one private infinity swimming pool. The resort provides options for those looking to enjoy the exclusivity of the island.

Nurai is a small island. It does not have sub-communities but clusters of villas varying in sizes and configurations.

Bayut has developed distinct 2D and 3D floor plans for each property type. Nurai Island floor plans for the various clusters and unit types can be easily accessed by browsing the website.

Nurai is home to one of the top resorts in Abu Dhabi, Zaya Nurai Island. It is a 5-star boutique private island resort and a 32-villa hotel. Tourists from around the globe flock here to spend vacations. It is a complete staycation destination with five restaurants and bars, a spa and multiple leisure facilities.

Disclaimer: Temporary Closure for Renovations

Zaya Nurai Island is temporarily closed for renovations. We advise checking the website for further updates.

Guests typically explore Nurai Island on foot, as the island does not encourage the use of cars. However, the resort provides designated parking spaces. Those looking to travel to Nurai Island from Abu Dhabi can opt for boats or water taxis. Initially, guests arrive at the Nurai Welcome Center by car or taxi, located at the edge of Saadiyat Island. From there, boats depart every hour to the main island.

Check-in takes place at Saadiyat Island, a short 15-minute boat ride from Nurai Island. To complete the check-in process, IDs and personal information are required. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before departure to ensure ample time for check-in.

Nurai is a small island secluded from the bustling life of the city. It is accessible from Saadiyat Island in around 15 minutes via a boat ride. The Nurai Welcome Centre located on Saadiyat Island is also accessible via taxis hired from the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

There are many fine-dining restaurants, cafes and bars on Nurai Island. Frangipani has a friendly ambience. It offers organic seasonal produce from local farms for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dusk Lounge offers Mexican food. Smokin’ Pineapple serves oven-hot pizzas, Hooked is an outdoor casual restaurant offering Lebanese food. 

Disclaimer: Temporary Closure of Frangipani, Nurai Island

Please be informed that Frangipani at Nurai Island is temporarily closed until further notice.

The beach on Nurai Island is always packed with events and activities. From classic water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding and fly fishing to more adventurous and thrilling activities like snorkelling, jet skiing, banana rides and windsurfing, Zaya Nurai Island has something to offer for every liking. One can also go fishing and take their catch to Hooked for live grilling. Moreover, families often choose to take a boat trip and explore the island. Some of the villas on Nurai Island come with private beaches of their own.

Out of the many activities and leisure facilities on the island, kids can spend time in Petit Z, a dedicated kids’ club. It offers a fun-filled program throughout the day in different slots for different age groups. Some popular activities include gaming and book corners, arts and crafts and educational and recreational programs.

Furthermore, there is a water park with four slides, a water bucket, a splash pool and relaxing sun loungers. The snack and drinks corner is also part of the waterpark, one can also enjoy homemade ice cream here.

The Zaya Nurai Welcome Center is approximately 30 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, where taxis are available for hire. Nurai Island is also about 13 minutes from Yas Links Golf Course and 10 minutes from Yas Mall, a popular shopping destination known for its wide variety of stores and as a favourite spot for both residents and tourists in Abu Dhabi. There are quite a lot of fun activities in Yas Mall besides shopping from rock climbing adventures, a gaming arcade and a kids’ play zone to a range of dining venues and a VOX Cinemas.

Nurai Island offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Guests can either bring their bike or hire one to explore the area. The beachside is equipped with various recreational activities, including beach volleyball, badminton, and other sports, or visitors can opt for private tennis lessons on the outdoor tennis court.

Additionally, the island features a dedicated yoga pavilion, where wellness retreats can be arranged upon request. For relaxation, a sea-view spa provides outdoor treatments, while a glass-enclosed gym, Jacuzzi, and herbal tea corner further enhance the wellness experience.

Zaya Nurai Resort has a calendar of events. It is also a hotspot for destination weddings, corporate events and birthdays. The resort has a dedicated event planning team to coordinate with clients. Besides, beach parties, fun activities and events like Nurai Fest (a music festival) keep guests entertained.

Those planning to visit Nurai Island Abu Dhabi during winter months must keep some warm clothing as nights might get cold here. Nurai Island also offers remote private residences, one would need a boat to reach the rest of Abu Dhabi. Another thing that one must consider is that cars are not permitted on Nurai Island. Guests can access the island by boat, on foot, or via helicopter.

• Located off the shore of Abu Dhabi
• The resort is built on the Arabian Gulf
• A 15 to 20-minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island
• Next to Ras Al Ghurab Island
• A 25 to 30-minute taxi ride away from Abu Dhabi International Airport

There is one way to reach Zaya Nurai Island. You can take a boat ride from Saadiyat Island, boats run every hour, prior booking is required.

Nurai Island is around 20 km from central Abu Dhabi.

The road distance between Dubai and Zaya Nurai Island Resort, Abu Dhabi is 86 km.

Nadia Zaal is an Emirati entrepreneur who founded Zaya Retreats based in Abu Dhabi. She owns the project on the island that opened back in 2014 as a holiday destination in Abu Dhabi.