Yas Island is known worldwide as the home of the Yas Marina Circuit, the venue of the exciting annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, Yas Island is also surrounded by gorgeous white sands and pristine blue waters and boasts of one of the best water parks in the country so there are many water sports in Yas Island on offer and many Yas Island activities!
Yas Beach in Abu Dhabi and other natural and human-made water attractions on the island make this place perfect for various must-try water sports and activities in Abu Dhabi which feature in the top things to do in Abu Dhabi!
Here are 10 ways you can have fun in the sun, and in the water, on Yas Island and best of all, you can do these all year round!
Yas Island Activities and Water Sports
1. Swimming on Yas Island
Swimming is an amazing activity individually and for the entire family. Everyone, regardless of their age and ability, can enjoy splashing around and doing laps.
With the cool, clear, and calm waters of Yas Island, you won’t be able to resist the beach and go for a dip several times while you’re here.
Yas Beach also has a beachfront resort, which means you can swim in the pool if you want to take a plunge into refreshing freshwater.
There are also several hotels and resorts with swimming pools around Yas Island, meaning you have other options for fun water activities.
Meanwhile, the loungers on the white powdery sand and poolside deck provide you with a comfy respite whenever you need to take a breather.
2. Yas Waterworld
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, one of the biggest and most famous waterparks in the UAE, is found on Yas Island. Visiting this renowned attraction is a must whenever you are in Abu Dhabi and one of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi!
You can find more than 40 rides, slides, and other features in Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. These attractions range from low, which are suitable for everyone, including little kids, to extreme, which has some of the most thrilling rides in the world.
The best rides at Yas Waterworld are:
- Bubbles Barrel
Surf the largest sheet wave in the world in Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. This attraction gives surfers double hump speed slides with massive waves and thousands of litres of churning water.
- Dawwama
Dawwama is a six-person tornado water coaster, which is the largest in the world. It is a high-intensity raft ride that takes you and your group zooming through a 20-metre tornado funnel.
- Hamlool’s Humps
This feature takes you down a 10-story slide with three massive humps. It is one of the most adrenaline-charged slides in the waterpark.
- Liwa Loop
MENA’s first freefall drop water slide lets you slide straight down into a high-intensity looping waterslide full of thrills.
- The Banding Bomber
This suspended roller coaster, the longest in the world, takes you on an exciting, scenic aerial tour of the waterpark.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is also located near Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, another world-famous theme park that features a variety of Ferrari-themed rides and attractions.
3. Snorkelling on Yas Island
Below the waves, Yas Beach is full of wonders. There are brightly coloured coral reefs, schools of fish, and other underwater features that will fascinate you.
Snorkelling, therefore, is another great water activity you can do in Yas Beach. All you need are a pair of flippers, goggles, and a snorkel, and you’re ready to explore another world underwater.
Make sure you also apply sunscreen on your back since floating around under the surface of the water can magnify the sun’s rays and increase their effects on your skin.
4. Wakeboarding on Yas Island
Wakeboarding is a water sport that you have to try at least once in your life. Yas Island’s calm waters make it the perfect place for this fun and thrilling activity.
Wakeboarding is the ultimate sport if you want to try jumping the boat’s wake. A wakeboard gives you plenty of air as you ride up the slope of the wake since the equipment has a great amount of pop to it.
If you prefer skipping the jumps and simply gliding over the water, you’ll still have plenty of fun and thrills.
If you want to experience wakeboarding, head to nearby Yas Marina to try out this sport.
5. Wakesurfing on Yas Island
A variation of wakeboarding, wake surfing is a sport that allows you to surf untethered in a speedboat’s wake, giving you a ride over a never-ending ocean wave.
With wake surfing, you don’t have to paddle and wait for strong waves. Specially designed boats have mechanisms that pump water into tanks that weigh down the vessel and add to the wake to make it surfable and exciting.
The boat’s propeller is also safely tucked under its body, ensuring the safety of the surfers.
Wakesurfing is a fun, low-impact water sport. Once you get the hang of it and want to try skim-style surfing, you can do some floater, top and bottom turn, and other flip tricks.
You can book a wake surfing experience at an authorised operator in Yas Island.
6. Kitesurfing on Yas Island
Gliding over the water, keeping your balance, and trying new tricks can give you hours of fun and a sense of achievement.
Kitesurfing is another water sport that helps you release tension and frees your mind. It can lift your mood and give you a great workout at the same time.
Yas Marina is one of the best places for kitesurfing in Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE.
7. Tubing on Yas Island
Tubing, also known as towed tubing or kite tubing, is another recreational water activity guaranteed to give you pure, unadulterated fun.
Speeding across the water on a tube is just as fun as wakeboarding or water skiing. It can even be more enjoyable since you don’t need to keep your balance throughout the ride.
Without the need to balance yourself, you can focus on having fun as the boat pulls you along. The entire ride will even be more fun and delightful when you share the tube with your family or friends.
8. Yas Island Kayaking
If you want something more relaxing, try kayaking on Yas Island.
Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the clear blue waters of Yas Beach. While on the kayak, you’ll be able to see the fascinating life underwater and enjoy the gorgeous panorama.
There is also a nearby mangrove that you can explore while kayaking here.
Aside from the beautiful views, you will be able to relax and experience tranquillity while kayaking. Devoid of the sound of traffic and other noises that remind you of the daily grind, you can enjoy calmness and peace as you paddle down the waters and get up close and personal with nature.
9. Yas Island Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP)
SUP is another low-impact water recreational activity that you can enjoy on Yas Island.
This activity allows you to immerse yourself in the surrounding panorama and see the natural beauty underwater.
Paddleboarding is a great stress reliever due to the sedative nature of the water surrounding you. Moreover, it allows you to make the action all about you.
Additionally, breathing in the sea breeze and being alone on the water can help you let go of the negative energy and emotions you’re feeling.
The clear blue waters, natural views, and calmness on Yas Beach enable you to relax and forget your worries.
10. Sailing on Yas Island
Yas Island is home to the Yas Marina Sailing and Rowing Centre. Because of this, you can go sailing any time of the year here.
Sailing is a stimulating, rewarding, and fun water sport. You’ll have a wonderful time as you feel the cool breeze aboard your gently rocking boat.
While on the boat, you’ll find some peace and quiet. Sailing allows you to get away from it all and give you a sense of true freedom.
Sailing also enables you to understand the power of Mother Nature. With the sail capturing the wind to propel the boat and the weather affecting the roughness or smoothness of your travel, you will develop more respect for the natural world.
Lastly, if you like doing different activities with your family or friends, with the right boat, you can share the fun and health benefits of sailing.
So be sure to add Yas Island to your Abu Dhabi holiday itinerary and include these all year round Yas Island Activities!
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