Mini Getaway To Sir Baniyas Islands
The island is situated on the Southern Western part of Abu Dhabi that is accessible via water, land and air. To visit the island you could choose to either hop on a Gulf Cruise that has departures from Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the winter months or drive to the island and then connect via ferry or if you like to indulge in a bit of luxury then you have an option to hire a seaplane or get a domestic flight charter from one of the emirates.
This spring break we wanted to do something off the beaten track as a family with our five year old so we booked ourselves for a 2 night stay on the Sir Baniyas Islands. With an alluring choice of three Anantara properties on the island and the organized activities at the hotels we certainly got the fix of adventure that we were looking for.
The drive from Dubai to Sir Baniyas ferry terminal took us roughly around three hours. The mesmerizing drive once you hit the causeway connecting Abu Dhabi to the ferry terminal is breath taking with its blue waters along the coast that transports you to a serene world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After parking our car at the ferry terminal our luggage was checked in at the terminal itself and we were then escorted on to the ferry. Our little one was quite excited to hop onto the ferry to explore the incredible experience that awaited us on the other side of the island. The ferry transfer was then connected by a swift shuttle bus to our hotel that took us through a scenic expanse of acres and acres of savannah on both sides. The children on the bus were excited to witness the wildlife surrounding us as they spotted the oryx, gazelles, antelopes, giraffes and deers.
We were welcomed at the Anantara Desert Islands Resorts and Spa by the warm staff who truly made our stay memorable.
There are three Anantara properties on the island that offers 64 rooms and suites and 60 luxury villas that you can choose from. Anantara Desert Islands Resorts and Spa which is the main hotel boasts an incredible spa haven for people looking for a bit of R&R. This hotel also caters mainly for families with young children with an infinity pool, kids and teens club to keep them occupied. The other property Anantara Al Sahel Villas is also a stunning property with villas in the savannah, a real safari kind of experience where you get a chance to get up close with gazelles, peacocks and other animals. Anantara Al Yamm Villas is another beautiful property for people looking for something a bit more romantic with an easy access to the beach.
The hotels are within ten minutes distance from each other and there are shuttle bus transfers that can be arranged to the other resorts if you wish to use the facilities of the other resorts or if you choose to dine at one of them.
We stayed at the main hotel but had the opportunity to spend one of the days at the Anantara Al Sahel Villas which is located in the middle of the Arabian Nature Park. I think I was more excited than my little one to be hanging out with the gazelles and peacocks by the pool side and the restaurant.
The highlight of our trip was this unique glamping and alfresco dining experience at the Savannah Grill restaurant in Al Saleh Villas that has a beautiful African setting out in the wild. With African songs playing in the background, torches lit at night and distant cries of the animals from the Savannah you really are in for a mini safari kind of an experience. As the name suggests Savannah Grill is a South African restaurant and we were quite pleased with the selection of our meats that were thoughtfully prepared by the Zimbabwean Chef Thomas.
The service and attention to details at this restaurant is impeccable and I highly recommend it to people who visit Sir Baniyas to dine at this restaurant atleast once to experience the hospitality and the ambience of this place.
We had an amazing time exploring the island and learnt a lot about the history of this little paradise which felt like a piece of Africa right here in UAE. It’s a place for family fun and adventure so if you have children aged 4 years and up then they are sure to be kept entertained with many organized activities like kayaking, archery, falconry, wildlife safari, mountain biking to name a few.
The Wildlife Safari comes in highly recommended for families with young children and tends to sell out fast so it is advisable to book in advance.
We had a short stay on the island and we hope to return back again to explore the rest of the island!