Let the fun begin! Best things to do on Yas Island
From spectacular malls and amazing theme parks, to beautiful beaches and world-class restaurants, Yas Island sits comfortably as Abu Dhabi’s premier tourist destination. An Aldar Properties project, the aim of the development was to turn the island into a multi-purpose shopping, leisure and entertainment centre. Planning a visit to the island? Whether you’re looking to spend quality time with your fam-jam or just fancy exploring, our guide to the best things to do on Yas Island has you covered.
SHOPPING IN YAS ISLAND
YAS MALL
Featuring more than 370 stores, Yas Mall is the ultimate stop for all the shopaholics out there. Look for the two 12-metre high sculptures. You can’t miss them. Other than a fun park for the mall’s younger visitors and a host of cinemas, here are some activities that you can look forward to.
SHOPPING
The first thing thing to do at the mall is shopping (duh! kinda obvious). Home at one of the biggest malls in Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall shops feature brands from high-end designer labels to flagship stores.
Suitable for everyone from families to fashionistas, products vary from sporting goods to women’s fashion and even a hypermarket. Notable brands include DKNY, Adidas, Mothercare, Virgin Megastore and more.
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Looking for things to do on Yas Island for kids? Yas Mall features everything from an edutainment centre to an indoor theme park with adventure rides and video games.
You can go to Fun Works, two floors packed with kid-friendly entertainment like a giant soft-play area, toddler playgrounds and rides. Another notable attraction is KidZania, an award-winning edutainment concept combining learning with fun.
Dining
Yas Mall restaurants features an impressive array of choices for foodies. From fast-food joints to cafes and confectionery stores, you’ll find everything here.
Notable ones include Cupagahwa, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit and Al Fanar. To indulge your sweet tooth, head to Baskin Robbins, Ben’s Cookies and Candylicious.
THEME PARKS IN YAS ISLAND
Shopping hubs are not the only attractions at this premier destination. Yas Island has several things to do for those who enjoy outdoor activities and entertainment.
On that note, here are some outdoor Yas Island theme parks worth visiting.
YAS WATERWORLD
A great spot to spend summers in the emirate, Yas Waterworld is why most people visit the island in the first place. Based on the UAE themed “Legend of the Lost Pearl”, this waterpark features more than 40 rides, attractions, slides, and an assortment of dining options.
- Tot’s Playground: A playground with a kiddy pool and a minimum height requirement of 150-210 m for entry, this area is ideal for parents and infants to have some fun.
- Jebel Drop: A more extreme ride, this slide has a minimum height requirement of 1.2m and features a heart-stopping drop and scenic views of the entire waterpark.
- Slithery Slides: Easily identifiable by slides designed to look like the open maws of snakes, this ride has a minimum height requirement of 110 meters
Other notable rides here include the Rush Rider, where you can hone your surfing skills and Falcon Falaj, which also happens to be the longest water coaster anywhere in the Middle East.
- Tickets: AED 270 for single day ticket
- Timings: Opening hours are subjected to change (please visit the official website)
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI
A trip to Yas Island isn’t complete without visiting Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The theme park features around 37 attractions from the famed Italian carmaker. A definite option for things to do on Yas Island list, this theme park is all about motorsports and cars.
There are exciting rides at Ferrari World, suitable for kids and adults alike. Take an adrenaline-pumping ride on Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster. If you are capable of going from 0 to 240 km/h in 4 seconds, be prepared to experience 4.8Gs of pure adrenaline-pumping action.
You can also take on an RC Challenge and navigate remote-controlled cars or boats across the waterways of a smaller version of Italy.
There are also other rides like the Junior Grand Prix for younger visitors, which lets kids get behind the wheel. You can also get up close to some of Ferrari’s most iconic vehicles too!
- Tickets: AED 325 for single day ticket
- Timings: Opening hours are subjected to change (please visit the official website)
- Contact: +971-600-511-115 |+971-2-496-8000
WARNER BROS. ABU DHABI
Next on our list of notable things to do on Yas Island is Warner Bros. World. The theme park is categorised into six themed experiences. These experiences feature rides that relate to a particular world from the television brand.
A celebration of popular cartoons and television shows, a trip here is truly worth the price of tickets. Families visiting with kids will have a grand time sighting popular characters from Tweety Bird to Wile E Coyote and even Batman.
For a truly memorable experience, ask one of the photographers on duty to snap a picture with any characters. Notable rides at Warner Bros World include the Batman Knight Flight, The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter and much more.
The Flinstones Bedrock River Adventure is a favourite with young fans of the show, take a scenic boat ride in Bedrock accompanied by many pre-historic sights and sounds.
Batman, Knight Flight, is where kids can help the caped crusader keep residents safe with a high-octane ride through the skies of Gotham City. Launch from the Batcave and soar through the streets while fighting villains along the way.
- Tickets: AED 325 for single day ticket
- Timings: Opening hours are subjected to change (please visit the official website)
- Contact: +971-600-511-115
LEISURE ATTRACTIONS AT YAS ISLAND
Apart from popular theme parks in Abu Dhabi, there are other leisure activities on Yas Island that you can take part in.
YAS BAY
A trip to the island will be incomplete without dropping by Yas Bay. The development includes a floating beach club, hotels, cinema, and over a dozen dining options to choose from.
- Contact: +971-800-927-229 (800-YASBAY)
YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
Famous for hosting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a visit to the Yas Marina Circuit shouldn’t be missed. It also features the longest F1 racetrack in the world.
Visitors can be a part of racing courses and learn how to drive a Formula 3000 or any other race car you have always wanted to but never got the chance. Either that, or you can let the pros take you for an adrenaline-pumping spin around the track while you sit back and enjoy the ride.
Drive, Drag, Drift, kart, Ride and Tour are various activities to keep motorheads seek thrills on the circuit. From getting trained as a Formula 1 driver to taking a lap around the circuit with a pro driver, there’s plenty to do here.
- Timings: Every day 09:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: 800 YAS (927)
CLYMB ABU DHABI
From rock climbing to indoor sky diving, if you’re looking for thrilling things to do in Yas Island, CLYMB Abu Dhabi is where you should be! This is where newbies can learn to rock climb or train for an incredible indoor sky diving experience. Pros can take on The Summyt and walls with varying heights to test their skills.
- Tickets:
- From AED 235 for indoor skydiving
- From AED 120 for climbing experience
- Timings: Opening hours are subjected to change (please visit the official website)
- Contact: 600-511-115
MAD
For visitors looking for the best live music venues in the world, there is MAD, one of the most happening spots for memorable Abu Dhabi nightlife. Hosting a range of talented artists throughout the week, this nightclub ensures that there is always a good reason to travel to Yas Island.
Notable acts in the past include the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, J Balvin, and other global musical talents. Keep checking which shows are making an appearance here on their website and book your tickets in advance.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 11:00 pm – 04:00 am
YAS BEACH
Crystal clear waters, a mangrove and white sands — Yas Beach is more than a stretch of beach; it’s a virtual paradise for beachgoers, especially for watersport enthusiasts, kids and families.
Other than a range of dining options and bars, popular activities include kayaking along the mangroves, snorkelling, and sailing. For drier pursuits, there is a volleyball court and an outdoor gym. Of course, if you rather stay the night in a private chalet right by the waterside, there are facilities available in this regard too.
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 07:00 pm
- Contact: +971-56-242-0435
YAS LINKS
Head to the Yas Links Golf Club for a more relaxing way to spend your time on Yas Island. Considered one of the top golf courses in the UAE, this place gives professional and amateur golfers the chance to play the sport while enjoying scenic views of the Arabian Gulf coastline. Couple this with a spectacular dining experience, and get ready for a day well spent. Improve your game with help from professional trainers and state of the art technologies, available in different pricing packages.
For more information on booking golf games and membership requirements, refer to the following.
- Contact: +971-2-885-3555
ETIHAD ARENA
Anyone who is a fan of live music concerts and other entertaining events must know Etihad Arena. Capable of accommodating about 35,000 people, Etihad Arena has seen live performances from popular musical talents from Metallica to Madonna and Justin Timberlake.
Aside from hosting live rock and pop concerts, the open-air venue is also popular for corporate functions, gala dinners, charity balls and destination weddings.
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
DINING AT YAS ISLAND
Yas Island isn’t just famous for countless outdoor activities, shopping hotspots, live concert halls and watersports. Visitors also rave about the dining options available. Let’s take a look at the most popular eateries on Yas Island.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE
Texas Roadhouse is a haven for meat buffs. It’s one of the sought-after steak restaurants in Abu Dhabi. This is where you can feast on steaks and classic American comfort food, including chicken wings, cheeseburgers and sliders.
- Average Cost for two: AED 320
- Timing: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 01:00 am
- Location: Ground level, Yas Mall
- Contact: +971-02-492-6650
CIPRIANI
Counted amongst the top Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, this stylish restaurant features a menu that includes dishes from Harry’s Bar in Venice as well as other popular Italian classics.
These include risotto primavera vanilla crème meringue and baked tagliolini to name a few. Perfect for hanging out with friends or a private corporate dinner, the dining experience here is truly memorable.
- Average Cost for two: AED 530
- Timing: Monday to Sunday 06:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Location: Yas Yacht Club – Yas Marina
- Contact: +971-2-657-5400
STARS N BARS
If you enjoy watching sports with your favourite drink in hand, head to Stars’ N’ Bars. With exciting happy hour deals, mixed drinks and game nights, this bar is always abuzz throughout the week.
For eats, expect the best Tex Mex style food this side of Abu Dhabi with an assortment of wings, ribs, burgers, nachos and steaks. Other items on the ala carte menu include delicious mains, kids’ meals and healthy salads.
- Average cost for two: AED 375
- Timings: Monday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 02:00 am
- Location: Emporium Building, Yas Marina Circuit
- Contact: +971-2-565-0101
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR AREAS TO RENT IN YAS ISLAND?
Yas Island has an array of properties for tenants; part of the reason why it’s one of the most high-profile addresses in Abu Dhabi. Some popular areas to rent apartments and villas in Yas Island are Water’s Edge, Mayan, Ansam, West Yas and Yas Acres.
HOW FAR IS YAS ISLAND FROM DUBAI?
Yas Island is approximately an hour away from Dubai by road.
That’s a wrap of our review of things to do on Yas Island. Of course, if you plan on making the place your home, you must consider the pros and cons of living on Yas Island first.
Did you know Yas Island was also home to Fontana circus, the first-ever travelling water circus in the Middle East. Read our guide to know everything from Fontana circus tickets to timings.
Residents of the UAE are lucky that they can find enjoyable and engaging activities across the country. For example, Dubai extreme activities are widely popular and people travel from all over the country to enjoy the challenges.
