Yas Island is a 25-square-kilometre leisure and entertainment destination located on the eastern coast of Abu Dhabi, approximately 30 minutes from the city centre and adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport. The island has been developed as Abu Dhabi’s primary entertainment and tourism hub, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Attractions
Yas Island hosts a concentration of theme parks, entertainment venues, and sporting facilities unmatched in the Gulf region. Major attractions include Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park featuring the Formula Rossa roller coaster; Yas Waterworld, a water park; Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park; and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the region’s first SeaWorld marine life park, which opened in 2023.
The Yas Marina Circuit hosts the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season-closing round of the Formula 1 World Championship, and serves as a venue for other motorsport events and public driving experiences throughout the year.
Hospitality and Retail
The island includes multiple hotels, the Yas Mall (one of the largest shopping centres in Abu Dhabi), Yas Bay (a waterfront dining and entertainment district), and the Etihad Arena, a 18,000-capacity multipurpose indoor venue hosting concerts, sporting events, and exhibitions.
Developer
Miral, an Abu Dhabi government-owned company, is the master developer of Yas Island’s entertainment and leisure assets. Miral plans, develops, and manages the island’s attractions, hospitality properties, and public spaces.
Visitor Numbers
Yas Island attracts tens of millions of visitors annually, making it one of the most visited leisure destinations in the Middle East. The island draws both international tourists and regional visitors, particularly from Saudi Arabia and other GCC states.
Role in Vision 2030
Yas Island is central to the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’s tourism diversification strategy. The vision calls for developing Abu Dhabi as a year-round tourist destination that reduces economic reliance on hydrocarbon revenues. Yas Island provides the critical mass of attractions, hospitality, and entertainment infrastructure required to position Abu Dhabi as a competitive leisure destination in the global tourism market.