Saadiyat Island is a scenic island that is also Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural destination. Saadiyat Island is home to museums, residences, luxury hotels, a promenade and resorts and restaurants.
Everything you needed to know about Saadiyat Island!
Saadiyat Island is a scenic island that is also Abu Dhabi’s leading cultural destination. Saadiyat Island is home to museums, residences, luxury hotels, a promenade and resorts and restaurants.
There is no entrance fee to Saadiyat Island as a whole, however the various attractions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Kai Beach, Saadiyat Beach Club and Saadiyat Golf Club do have entrance fees.
Saadiyat Island offers a host of great experiences:
In Arabic, Saadiyat Island or jazirat as-sa’diyyat means Island of Happiness.
No, Saadiyat Island is a completely natural island approximately 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the Arabian Gulf.
Saadiyat Island is known for its indigenous wildlife and ecosystem. The area is known especially for its Hawksbills Turtles, different species of dolphins, dugong, marine mammals and invertebrates. Read more about Saadiyat Island’s wildlife.
The fastest way to travel to Saadiyat Island is by car. Take the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge and head to the Sheikh Khalifa Highway. During normal traffic conditions, it takes about 25 minutes from Corniche Beach and 20 minutes from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Check our transportation page for more information on traveling to Saadiyat Island by car or bus.
Saadiyat Island is easily accessible from important locations in Abu Dhabi:
Abu Dhabi Corniche to Saadiyat Island: 14 km/approx 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions
Abu Dhabi International Airport to Saadiyat Island: 34.9 km, or about half an hour under normal traffic conditions.
Yas Island Abu Dhabi to Saadiyat Island: 21 km, around 20 minutes with normal traffic.
Zaya at Nurai Island is a quick 15 minute boat ride from Saadiyat Island. On Saadiyat Island, Nurai Island has a dedicated Welcome Centre by the shoreline. To reach the Welcome Centre, take Exit 14 (which is also the exit to Saadiyat Beach Club), head to the stoplight, turn left and take the first right, driving along the coastline till you see the centre. Don’t forget to carry your ID and booking confirmation with you. Boats ply from Saadiyat Island to Nurai Island between 7.30 am and 12.30 am.
Saadiyat Island is approximately 27 sq km in area.
There are 5 resorts on Saadiyat Island and one on Nurai island just off Saadiyat Island. These include:
All the resorts on Saadiyat island are 5-star, beachfront properties with luxury facilities and fine dining options.
Saadiyat Island offers something for everyone; great places to shop, dine, play golf, enjoy arts and culture. The locale offers beautifully appointed apartments for rent or sale, within some of the finest gated communities in Abu Dhabi. In addition, it is only 15 minutes from the heart of the city and 20 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Saadiyat Island has great restaurants, cafes and fine dining spots. You can choose from healthy, indulgent and award-winning food concepts across cuisines.
There are several restaurants and cafes offering different cuisines and dining concepts in Mamsha Al Saadiyat. Of these, the most highly rated are Beirut Sur Mer, Ten 11 Beach, Ting Irie, Antonia, Pickl and Raclette to name a few.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club offers 14-month Full Golf Memberships or Weekday Golf Memberships, Young Professionals Memberships, Corporate Memberships and a Member for a Day experience. Enquire now.
There are two scenic and popular beaches on Saadiyat Island, Kai Beach and Soul Beach. Rates vary depending on the season and other factors, so do check prices for Kai Beach and Soul Beach rates before you go.
In addition, you get access to 9 km of beachfront from the Saadiyat Beach Club – you can opt for Single Day Passes, Couple Day Passes, Brunch with Day Pass and more to enjoy the exclusive facilities the Club offers. Visit the Saadiyat Beach Club site to check the latest rates.
For details on Saadiyat Beach Club memberships, please email info.sbc@aldarleisure.com or call us on (+97126563501).
Check our maps and location for Kai Beach and Saadiyat Beach Club.
Visitors enjoy access to about 9 km of gorgeous white sandy beaches on Kai Beach and Soul Beach.
Saadiyat Beach Club is open from 8.00 AM to 9.00 PM. You can access the pool from 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM. Please check the site for updated information before you go.
No, you will not be able to carry food and drink to Soul Beach, Kai Beach or Saadiyat Beach Club.
On Soul Beach, you can conveniently order food at the beach itself by scanning the QR code by the sunbeds. Kai Beach offers a food truck and beverage service, including soft drinks and house beverages.
At Saadiyat Beach Club, you can choose to dine at one of the club’s restaurants such as Safina, La Salle or Cabana 9.
No, dogs and other pets are currently not allowed on the beaches at Saadiyat Island.
Soul Beach offers covered parking, which is free for the first hour and chargeable at AED 10 per hour thereafter. Kai Beach offers free parking to visitors.
Both Kai Beach and Soul Beach do not offer reservations. Spots are available on a first-come-first serve basis.
Kai Beach and Soul Beach are open from 7.00 AM till sunset.
Yes, both Kai Beach and Soul Beach have plenty of restrooms and changing rooms.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and cultural museum in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the UAE, created and run jointly by the Louvre in Paris, France and the UAE. Initiated in 2007 and inaugurated in 2017, the museum has four wings and 11 galleries that display historic treasures from the region and other parts of the world, as well as art through the ages. The museum also holds regular exhibitions and events.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is on Saadiyat Island. The museum’s exact location is marked on our map.
If you’re driving by car, you’ll need to take the Saadiyat Island / Yas Island exit towards Sheikh Khalifa Highway E12. Continue on the Yas Highway and follow the signs to the Louvre Abu Dhabi within the Cultural District on Saadiyat Island. You can also hire a taxi.
If you prefer to take public transport, Bus 94 goes to the museum.
Alternatively, you can take the Cultural Express from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, which will take you both to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr al Watan for free – and drop you back in Dubai. The bus leaves from Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel, Dubai at 9.00 AM and departs from Qasr al Watan for the return journey to Dubai at 6:00 PM.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi houses and exhibits artifacts from pre-historic to modern times. It displays over 650 pieces of art, some of which are part of its permanent collections and some of which are on loan from other museums around the world. In addition, the Louvre Abu Dhabi also holds regular exhibitions and events.
The Abrahamic Family House is a centre for faith and learning in Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi that includes a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. The House hosts tours, celebrations and religious services.
There is no entry free for visitors and worshippers. Guided tours are available for AED 40 per person (Ages 18-60).
Guided tours of the Abrahamic Family House run between 10.00 AM and 6.00 PM on all days except Monday. Each tour lasts an hour, and the last tour of the day starts at 5.00 PM.
Tours are charged at AED 40 per person, for visitors aged 18-60 and are conducted in English or Arabic.
While tickets are complimentary, you will need to pre-register online before visiting, as walk in spots are limited.
If you’re making a booking for a larger group, ensure that you have booked online at the Abrahamic Family House website. The group should arrive half an hour before the scheduled time to complete the formalities and security check, which includes metal detectors and xrays for machines.
Yes, parking is available free of charge to all visitors and worshippers.
Your body should be covered from the neck to the ankles, with sleeves covering the elbow. Avoid tight clothing and clothing or accessories that make distracting noises or reflections.
Women will need to cover their hair in the synagogue and the mosque. You can borrow a head scarf from the Welcome Centre Reception Desk if you require one.
Please do not wear caps, T-shirts or other articles of clothing articles with offensive designs, overtly political expressions or imagery, and flags.
Outside food is not permitted. You can dine at the ETHR cafe at the Welcome Centre.