A 3,000-acre island in Abu Dhabi is set to have a major waterfront project that will open to the public in the next 30 days.
The announcement came after Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, toured the fast-developing Hudayriat Island on Wednesday.
The island has been popular among beachgoers and athletes and has hosted sporting events for two years.
The Hudayriat Island project, which has been years in the making since it was first announced in 2009, was partly launched and officially inaugurated in May 2018.
The island has a 600-metre beach, running and cycling tracks, water sport facilities, a bouncy castle and a children's playground, making it a perfect getaway for residents and tourists.
Here are the top attractions the place has to offer.
A pristine 600-metre public beach
The 600-metre beautiful free beach is a major tourist attraction and is open to the public between sunrise and sunset.
The beach is equipped with sunbeds, bathrooms, water coolers and vending machines but their use has been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is also a play area for children.
No water activities are available yet, but authorities plan to introduce water sports like kayaking and kitesurfing in the future.
Plans to introduce water sports were first announced when the island opened in 2018.
A 3,500-square metre jetski slipway area on Hudayriat is located underneath the striking suspension bridge.
Owners can keep their boats or jet skis at this site after paying a fee.
Cycle over the bridge and on the island
Hudayriat Island is one of the best places in the capital for cycling enthusiasts.
The bridge has two loops of cycling tracks - one that is 5 long and the other is 10km. There are side tracks that stretch across the street leading to and from the island.
The place is well-lit in the night for those who want to go cycling in the evenings.
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visits Al Hudayriat Island. -
The island is just off the coast of Abu Dhabi. Saeed Khawaja for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed said food truck owners would be exempt from rent for six months. -
The island has cycling and jogging tracks. -
It is also home to beaches. -
The island is accessed by a striking suspension bridge. -
And it is fast becoming a leisure destination. -
Sheikh Mohamed toured the island and inspected the development. -
The island also includes sports areas. -
Boat owners are also set to visit. -
Development has ramped up on the island.
Take a stroll around the island
A path that runs alongside the cycling tracks can be used by runners and pedestrians. People can go for a simple stroll or jog and enjoy the scenic sea views along the way.
Eat and drink
There are more than a dozen food trucks parked alongside the beach promenade for a quick bite.
They serve coffee, burgers, ice cream and other dishes.
Themed tables and chairs have been set outside each of the trucks.
Camping at night, not yet
Camping has been on the list of things to do on the island since it first opened.
At the launch, officials said there would be a camping area along with a zipline, kayaks, kitesurfing and a mountain-bike course.
But camping areas have not opened to the public yet.
Be a part of triathlon events and obstacle courses
Since its launch, Hudayriat Island has hosted a number of triathlons, obstacle course races and sprints.
With Covid-19 precautionary measures in place, such events have been suspended.
But the plan is to make the island the perfect place to hold such events and promote eco-tourism.
