Sir Bani Yas

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Explore the beauty of the land and get in touch with Mother nature by walking through a diverse range of fauna, and lock eyes with fierce predators such as the Cheetah or Hyenas on the fun and factual Nature & Wildlife Drive!

Activities on Sir Bani Yas island

Nature & wildlife drive. Embark on a 4X4 adventure and prepare for an amazing experience led by our expert guides. You will lay eyes on some of our beautiful free-roaming wildlife, which includes predators such as the fierce Cheetah, the peacefully elegant Flamingo and grand Reticulated Giraffe; just to name a few! Sir Bani Yas Island is also home to breath-taking geological formations and archaeological remains, which you will be able to see and learn more about during the drive. No tour is the same and can be tailored to your personal desires, so be sure to have your camera at hand! Nature & Wildlife Drives may be booked at the Activities Centre with the Activities Reservation Team. Suitable for: 1 year old +; duration: approximately 2 hours; group size: 7 people may participate in this activity at one time as the vehicles seat 7 guests (buses are used in peak periods or for large groups).

Land sailing. The stunning shores of Sir Bani Yas Island are perfect for a land sailing adventure! Enjoy a fun day out with the entire family and explore the sea surrounding the island. You can choose to sail independently or make the activity interesting by racing against each other. The expert guides will be on hand to assist. Suitable for: 8 year old +; duration: approximately 1,5 hours.

Horse riding. Why not come and explore Sir Bani Yas Stables? For horse lovers, this is the perfect opportunity to learn about horses and the heritage of Arabian horses within the UAE. The stables are home to 30 horses while other fascinating animals including gazelles and peacocks also make use of the grazing ground. Explore a range of different riding packages, tailored to meet your individual abilities and needs. The horses come from varied backgrounds and represent different breeds from around the world including the gallant Arab horse. Suitable for: beginners to experienced riders; duration: dependant on ride (see activities team for more details); group size: dependant on ride.

Paddle boarding. Explore the surrounding sea of Sir Bani Yas Island by Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Excellent for surfers and non-surfers alike this is a great way of keeping fit and no waves are required for this sport and it provides a unique perspective to appreciate the stunning birds and marine life in this area. Suitable for: ages 8 and above (you must have basic kayaking and swimming skills); duration: 1 hour; group size: Up to 4 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Culture & history tour. On the eastern side of Sir Bani Yas Island, there are on-going archaeological excavations. You will have the opportunity to gain an insight into life on the island centuries ago! Archaeologists uncovered the remains of an early Christian monastery site, which was founded in the late 6th century AD. This is the only early Christian site in the UAE, and is of international historical significance! With the fun, informative guided tour you will gain a fascinating understanding into the history of this area, the inhabitants of the region and view the artefacts unearthed so far by the archaeologists. Suitable for: ages 6 and above; duration: 1 hour; group size: Up to 7 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Nature walks. Why not stroll down to the eastern side of the island and embark on a journey with one of the tour guides to learn about the flora and fauna of Sir Bani Yas Island? You may even be greeted by some of our incredible free-roaming wildlife around the island, so you should have your cameras ready! The walk can be booked with the Activities Reservations Coordinator at the Activities Centre. Suitable for: ages 6 and above; duration: 1,5 hours; group size: Up to 7 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Falconry. Prepare to be transported to the historical site where the late Sheikh Zayed used to hunt falcons overlooking Desert Islands hotel and the northern coast! The expert guide will teach you about the history of falconry, interesting facts and stories as well as other important information. The falconer will start the demonstration and show you the training technique in a traditional way (Telwah). You will have the opportunity to take photos during the show and capture the Falconer feeding the falcons after each flight. After finishing the training the guests will have a chance to interact with the majesty of the falcons and take pictures carrying the falcons at the view point. Suitable for: ages 12 and above; duration: 1,5 hours; group size: Up to 7 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Mangrove and sea kayaking. Observe elegant flamingos feeding in the shallows; encounter schools of flying fish and uncover unique experiences as you paddle through a habitat rich in wildlife while discovering Sir Bani Yas Island by Kayak! No matter whether you choose mangrove or open sea kayaking, our tranquil waters are sure to offer you a relaxing way to appreciate the Island’s beautiful birds and fish. Suitable for: ages 8 and above; duration: 2 hours; group size: up to 4 people may participate in sea kayaking at one time or 7 people at one time for mangrove kayaking (Larger group sizes may be requested in advance).

Archery. Take centre stage whilst perfecting your aim and involve yourself in the traditional Arabic sport of archery. At Sir Bani Yas Island, they offer you full training and equipment for beginners and enthusiasts, helping you perfect your technique. The expert guides will be on hand to give you useful tips and instructions. You will be provided with a bow and arrows, and will be able to practice with targets from as close as 5 metres to as far as 20 metres! There will also give you a complete safety briefing. There are a variety of bows for you to choose from; small ones for children, large, easy to handle ones for adults and professional bows for use by experienced archers. Suitable for: ages 6 and above; duration: 1-1.5 hours; group size: up to 6 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Mountain biking. Explore the ever changing scenery of Sir Bani Yas Island on an exhilarating mountain bike adventure. Our mountain-biking tracks cater for both experienced and inexperienced riders, and take a variety of exciting on and off road trails through the Arabian Wildlife Park, wadis, beaches and lagoons. There are two mountain biking routes for you to choose from. The blue route is a non-strenuous route that is suitable for all fitness levels. This beautiful scenic route follows the road around the lagoon and then winds through some small, sandy wadi hills. The purple route perfect for the more advanced riders and requires a higher level of fitness. It winds through some small wadis before climbing through the hilltops with striking views. Suitable for: 1 year old +. Moderate fitness is required for the standard route and you must be able to ride a bike. Carriages are available for children under five years old. Please note that helmets are mandatory for all.; duration: 1-2 hours; group size: up to 10 people may participate in this activity at one time.

Image Credit: Sir Bani Yas.