It’s fair to say that Hudayriat Island does not have the unmistakable spectacle of Yas Island, or the urban intensity of Al Reem, but it does have a more relaxed feeling. A little more spread out, and increasingly becoming somewhere people visit because they actually want to spend the day there.
Taking the bike out, having a long lunch, hitting the waves, and finishing the evening with sunset by the water, Hudayriyat is evolving into one of the capital’s more intriguing places to spend time, and there is considerably more still to come.
Before the Restaurants and the Surf Clubs
Long before Hudayriyat became synonymous with cycling tracks, restaurants, and outdoor adventures, the island had a very different connection to the sea.
Archaeological surveys between 2017 and 2019 uncovered more than 20 pearl oyster shell middens on the island’s southern coast, alongside pottery dating to the Late Islamic period.
These remains provide evidence of communities who lived on Hudayriyat and relied on the sea, particularly through the traditional pearling economy.
Today, the Hudayriyat Heritage Trail provides a window into that earlier chapter, highlighting the shell middens and marine remains found across the island. It is a quieter experience than many of Hudayriyat’s newer attractions, but a fascinating and educational one.
The island may now be about looking forward, but its story started with people looking towards the water for their livelihoods.
An Island Made for Moving
Fast-forward and Hudayriyat has become one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest playgrounds for anyone who likes to stay active and toe the adventurous line.
Cyclists have long been drawn here, thanks to the extensive network of tracks, while 321 Sports offers facilities for everything from football to tennis.
Trail X adds an off-road element for the keener rider, while the island’s beaches and waterfront provide kayaking and the trending paddleboarding.
Surf Abu Dhabi
A big talking point of the Island is Surf Abu Dhabi, a facility that has given Hudayriyat an attraction that feels genuinely different from anything else in the city.
It is not a beach where you can take a dip; it is a purpose-built destination for people who want to learn, practise, and experience surfing in Abu Dhabi and get a real feel for the waves.
Sporting activity on Hudayriyat is not an afterthought; it is woven into the fabric of the area.
Dining on the Island
You could quite easily visit Hudayriyat for the fitness facilities and never realise just how much of a foodie destination it has become.
Now comprising vibrant restaurants, modern cafés, food trucks, and waterfront coffee spaces, the area is creating a sizeable collection of places to eat.
Marmoura Restaurant & Lounge at Marsana West is one of the more familiar names, offering Lebanese favourites and adjacent to the visual Al Hudayriyat Lighthouse.
You then have Ilios Beach Club, which is becoming more popular by the day. This contemporary venue creates a Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere, with an opportunity to sample amazing Greek food and access to a swimming pool most five-star clubs would be proud of. Perfect for cooling off in the hotter months of the year.
Next door, Nalu offers a more casual setting with Latin American influences and a breakfast menu to try. Located at Surf Abu Dhabi also, it is another example of how Hudayriyat has developed these little pockets of dining that can turn a trip to the island into a much longer affair.
Bring The Kids
Becoming an increasingly strong weekend option for families, Hudayriat is not just providing a playground or a soft play.
The renowned Circuit X brings together four different adventures, featuring a Splash Park, Skate Park, BMX Park, and High Ropes Park, offering little ones a splash, whilst the older ones can tackle the ramps.
The combination is important. Hudayriyat does not feel like somewhere designed exclusively for adults or children; it’s progressing into somewhere families can visit and where everyone can be entertained.
And There Is Much More on the Way
The most interesting thing about Hudayriyat might be that the version we know today is still evolving.
Its wider masterplan covers more than 50 million square metres and is planned as a major residential and leisure extension of Abu Dhabi. Their long-term vision includes new neighbourhoods, beaches, parks, hospitality, and a championship golf course.
One of the biggest upcoming additions is Hudayriyat Golf Estates by Modon, which will introduce a new residential community on the island with off-plan purchases already made.
Velodrome Abu Dhabi, which is scheduled to open in 2026, is set to be a landmark in its own right. The venue will host the region’s first UCI Category 1 indoor cycling track, taking the island’s already impressive cycling credentials to another level.
The island is also increasingly becoming a venue for major athletic events, as earlier in the year it hosted the Modon World Triathlon Championship Series, with the World Triathlon Multisport Championships scheduled in November.
A Different Kind of Abu Dhabi Destination
Perhaps Hudayriyat’s greatest appeal is its own rhythm. It is active without being frantic and lively without feeling overwhelmingly busy.
It might not shout as loudly as some of the emirate’s better-known islands, but spend enough time here and you start to understand why so many people make the trip.
For more information on the Island and what it has to offer, visit Hudayriyat Island.
Follow Secret Abu Dhabi for more news, events, and updates in the capital and beyond.
