Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi
The verdict
- Best for: Couples and special occasions who want a private island feel, clear turquoise water and a pool, reached by a short boat ride for a day pass.
- Best spot: A day bed by the day pass beach as the boat empties, then the pool through the hottest hours and a long, slow late afternoon.
- Know this: Access is by reservation only, the day pass covers the boat transfer and certain beaches, and the figure is to be confirmed as it changes.
Published 18 March 2026. Last reviewed 14 May 2026
Nurai Island is the splurge that earns it. A small private island a short boat ride off Saadiyat, run as the Zaya Nurai resort, it trades the mainland for soft sand, clear turquoise water and the simple luxury of arriving by boat. For a couple marking an occasion, or anyone who wants a beach day that feels like a holiday within a holiday, it is the most special stretch of sand in the emirate.
Practically, this is a resort, so a day here means a day pass or a stay. The pass is by reservation only and covers the boat transfer from Saadiyat along with access to certain beaches and the pool, while the rest of the island is kept for hotel guests. The boats run roughly hourly through the day, and the early arrivals get the best pick of loungers, so it pays to book ahead and take one of the first boats over.
The honest read is that the magic is real but it is paid for, so go for the occasion rather than the value. The water and the sense of seclusion are genuinely lovely, and the pool earns its keep through the hottest hours. If you want the same white sand for a fraction of the cost, Saadiyat Public Beach is the answer, and Nurai is the day you choose when the point is to feel a world away.
Clubs on this beach
Nurai is a private resort island, so the day pass is the club. For mainland cabanas with no boat required, our Abu Dhabi beach clubs directory has the options.
Zaya Nurai Island day pass
The way most visitors experience the island for a day, a reservation that includes the boat transfer from Saadiyat and access to set beaches and the pool, with restaurants on the island. The price is to be confirmed.
Saadiyat Beach Club
If a boat trip is a step too far, the nearest mainland equivalent for a polished, romantic day is Saadiyat Beach Club, listed with the rest in our directory.
Zaya Nurai Island sits a short distance off the northern shore of Saadiyat Island and is reached only by boat, with the transfer departing from a jetty on Saadiyat. By car, Saadiyat is roughly twenty minutes from the centre of Abu Dhabi, and the boat crossing itself takes only a few minutes.
Book your day pass or stay in advance, as access is by reservation and there are no walk ins, and aim for one of the early boats to claim a good lounger. Bring sun protection and plan around the cooler months and the calm, soft light of the late afternoon for the island at its best.
Reserve a day at Nurai Island
Nurai is a private island reached by boat for a day pass. Tell us your date and party and we will point you to the island pass or a polished mainland club for your day by the water. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
How do you get to Nurai Island?
By boat. Zaya Nurai Island lies a short distance off the northern shore of Saadiyat, and the transfer departs from a jetty on Saadiyat, taking only a few minutes. The crossing is included in a day pass or a stay, and access is by reservation only, so there are no walk ins.
How much is a Nurai Island day pass?
The day pass is priced as a premium island experience and includes the boat transfer and access to set beaches and the pool, often with some of the value redeemable on food and drink. Exact prices change with the season and the day, so the figure is to be confirmed when you book.
What does the Nurai Island day pass include?
Typically the boat transfer from Saadiyat, access to certain beaches and the pool, sun loungers and the island restaurants, with part of the price often redeemable on food and drink. Some beaches are kept for hotel guests. The exact inclusions are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Is Nurai Island worth it?
For an occasion, yes. The private island feel, the clear turquoise water and the pool make for a genuinely special day, and it is the most secluded sand near the city. For the same white sand at a fraction of the cost, Saadiyat Public Beach is the honest value alternative, so choose Nurai when the point is to feel a world away.
When is the best time to visit Nurai Island?
The cool months from November to April are the season, with warm sun, calm sea and soft evenings that suit the island. Aim for an early boat to claim a good lounger and a quieter beach, and use the pool through the hottest part of the day for the most comfortable visit.
