As a natural island surrounded by clear, blue waters, Yas Island is the perfect spot for various water sports and activities.

Yas Island is only 40 minutes away from downtown Abu Dhabi. It is connected to the city by a bridge and the Abu Dhabi — Dubai Road.

As a complete, family-friendly entertainment and recreational hub, Yas Island has several local and international hotel and resort chains, including Al Baha, Bab Al Qasr, Crowne Plaza, Dusit Thani, Hilton, Fairmont, Radisson, Ramada, and Rotana.

It also has several hotels near Dubai, which include City Seasons Hotel Dubai and Rose Rayhaan by Rotana.        

Yas Island is home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the only Ferrari branded theme park in the world. You will also find the Yas Marina Circuit here, a world-renowned racing track, the official venue of the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Enjoying Splashes Of Fun In Yas Island

As mentioned, Yas Island is the ideal place to engage in a variety of exciting water sports and activities.

But which water-based activities should you try here first? Here are the five best ones that should go on your list. You can also check Elevated Adventurer for extreme water sport like kitesurfing activity:

1.    Spend A Day At The Beach

Yas Beach is known as one of the most picturesque, perfect beaches in the UAE. Its fine white sands and clear blue waters make this beachside area Instagram-worthy and ideal for various fun activities.

If you are looking forward to engaging in exciting water sports and activities, here are some of the ones you can try here:

• Jet-skiing
• Paddleboarding
• Flyboarding
• Doughnut and banana boat ride
• Sailing
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Having fun at Yas Beach also means spending time to get some rest and relaxation. You can do this by lazing on a lounge chair or beach blanket.

While soaking up the rays, you can immerse yourself in the breath-taking and soothing beauty of blue waters and natural surroundings.

You can also rent a chalet if you want to spend a night or two on the beach. The chalets are equipped with a comfy sofa, padded chairs, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a minibar, a personal safe, and bathrooms.

Whether you are outside or inside the chalet, you will enjoy a great view of the lovely seashore.

2.    Go Kayaking

With its calm waters, Yas Beach is great for kayaking, a low-impact water activity that everyone can have fun doing. Paddling allows you to work out your arms, back, and shoulders while keeping your balance on the kayak engages your core.

Due to its small size and low height or proximity to the water, a kayak allows you to take a closer look into the underwater scenery and nearby views.

Aside from kayaking on the beach, join a tour to explore the nearby mangroves. You will be able to immerse yourself in the diverse flora and fauna of this fascinating ecosystem.

The mangroves at Yas Island provide an ideal nesting and breeding habitat for fish, shellfish, local and migratory birds, and other animals. As such, you will be able to see a variety of fascinating creatures as you kayak through the area.

If you want to engage in a relaxing outdoor activity that allows you to glide over calm, clear waters, go kayaking on Yas Island.

3.    Visit Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

If you want to get drenched, go on exciting rides, and have fun the whole day, visit Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi.

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is one of the largest and most popular waterparks in the United Arab Emirates. It has more than 40 rides, slides, attractions, and features.

The water rides are divided according to thrill levels ranging from low (Young Fun) to extreme (Adrenaline Rush).

The most popular rides and attractions here include:

• Amwaj – the MENA region’s largest wave pool with four unique wave patterns that rotate.
• The Banding Bomber – the world’s only suspended roller coaster that takes guests through Yas Waterworld and specially designed caves at high speed.
• Bubbles Barrel – this attraction features a double rip curl wave machine that creates the world’s largest sheet wave for avid surfers.
• Cinesplash – the newest attraction in the park, Cinesplash is a water cinema that gives viewers a one-of-a-kind, wet, and fun movie-watching experience.
• Dawwama – the waterpark’s premiere water experience and the world’s largest six-person tornado water coaster.
• Liwa Loop – the first freefall drop waterslide in the MENA region.

All these rides and attractions make spending an entire day getting drenched at the Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi a must-do activity in the emirate.

4.    Have Fun At The Fountains

If you are visiting Abu Dhabi with your family and looking for a fun place to bring your children, head to The Fountains.

The Fountains is known for its many restaurants and eateries featuring cuisines from different parts of the globe. Its setting makes it a great spot for al fresco dining any time of the day and night.

In the evening, the fountains come to life; they are synchronised to perform water and light shows choreographed to well-known Arabic and English music.

During the day, the fountain area doubles as a water playground for visitors. Your children will have fun playing in the area and getting soaked from the water coming from the different spouts.

When visiting The Fountains, make sure you bring a change of clothes for yourself and your little ones since they will love playing in this area.

5.    Go On A Dhow Cruise

Lastly, you don’t always have to get wet to try all the water activities on Yas Island. If you want to stay dry yet still be in the midst of the sea, go on a nighttime dhow cruise.

A luxury dhow cruise will take you on a two-hour voyage from the Yas Marina. It will take you through the mangrove island channels, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and the Yas Marina Yacht Club, where you will see plenty of private luxury yachts.

Throughout your voyage, you will behold plenty of beautiful sights on Yas Island and downtown Abu Dhabi. You will also enjoy a delectable international open buffet dinner and unlimited tea, coffee, sodas, juices, and water.

A luxury dhow cruise is the perfect must-try water activity that allows you to relax, see spectacular views, and enjoy a great dinner.

With Abu Dhabi’s summer weather nearly all year round, you won’t go wrong with doing these water activities to have fun, feel refreshed, and relax.