If you’ve heard whispers about a “Maldives-style private island” just off Abu Dhabi and you’re wondering how it really works, this Nurai Island guide will walk you through everything: how to get there, what it’s like to stay, what you can actually do on the island, and even what it means to buy a villa there.

What Is Nurai Island and Where Exactly Is It?

Nurai Island, officially branded as Zaya Nurai Island, is a tiny, ultra-luxury private island resort and residential community in the Arabian Gulf, just off Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

It’s a hybrid between:

• A 5-star boutique private island resort (all-villa hotel, each with its own pool)
• A residential island development with a handful of massive beachfront estates and water villas

The name “Nurai” comes from the Arabic word nur (light), which makes sense when you see the white-sand beaches and turquoise water. It’s built as a low-traffic, secluded retreat: no conventional cars on the island, just buggies, bikes and sandy paths.

Nurai Island at a Glance: Why People Obsess Over It

To understand if Nurai Island is worth it for you, it helps to zoom out and look at the overall vibe.

• Secluded yet close – you get that “private island in the middle of nowhere” feeling, but you’re only a 10–15 minute speedboat ride from Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island.
• All-villa, all-pool resort – Zaya Nurai Island Resort is a 5-star, all-villa hotel. Every stay is in a villa or house with its own private infinity pool and usually direct beach or sea access.
• Ultra-luxury residences – limited waterfront villas and beachfront mansions for sale, targeting high-net-worth buyers.
• Family-friendly but ultra-exclusive – you’ve got a kids’ club, water park, and family activities layered on top of a very private, VIP ambience.
• Celebrity / HNWI appeal – it’s often described as a celebrity hideaway thanks to the privacy and scale of the villas.

The island itself is small and lush, with rustic sandy tracks, palm-fringed lawns, and villas that blend into the landscape with green roofs and “grass carpets”. You’re here for barefoot luxury, not skyscrapers.

How to Get to Nurai Island (From Abu Dhabi and Dubai)

You can’t just drive onto Nurai Island. Access is tightly controlled and runs through the Zaya Nurai Island Welcome Centre on Saadiyat Island.

Step 1: Reach the Nurai Island Welcome Center (Saadiyat Island)

• From central Abu Dhabi: about 20 km by road, roughly 20–25 minutes by taxi or car.
• From Abu Dhabi International Airport: around 30 minutes by taxi.
• From Dubai: roughly 86 km to the Welcome Center, usually 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic.

You’ll drive or take a taxi to the Nurai Island Welcome Center on Saadiyat’s shoreline. This is where check-in and boat transfers happen.

Step 2: Boat Transfer to Nurai Island

• Check in at the Welcome Center with your ID and booking details.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled boat.
• Board the resort boat (speedboat / ferry style) for a 10–15 minute ride across the Arabian Gulf to Nurai Island.

Boats usually run on a fixed schedule (often hourly), and you must have a confirmed booking to board: either an overnight stay, a day pass, or at minimum a confirmed restaurant reservation that includes access.

Helicopter and VIP Transfers

Nurai Island also has a helipad. For VIPs and special occasions, helicopter transfers can sometimes be arranged in advance, usually via private charter operators and coordinated with the resort.

Getting Around on Nurai Island

• No private cars are allowed on the island.
• You move around by:
  • Golf buggies driven by staff or occasionally self-drive
  • Bicycle (yours or rented on the island)
  • On foot along sandy paths and lawns

This car-free layout is what gives Nurai that calm, resort-style “no traffic noise, just waves” feel.

Where to Stay on Nurai Island: Villas, Houses and Estate Homes

Accommodation on Nurai is split between the all-villa resort (Zaya Nurai Island Resort) and a tiny collection of privately owned residences that can be used as holiday homes or income-generating villas.

Zaya Nurai Island Resort: All-Villa 5-Star Hotel

The core resort inventory is relatively small, which is part of the charm. Expect roughly:

• Around 32 boutique resort villas operating as hotel rooms
• Plus water villas and estates that are privately owned but sometimes placed into the resort’s rental pool

Key accommodation types you’ll come across when searching for Nurai Island hotel bookings:

• 1-Bedroom Beach Villas – Perfect for couples and small families. Direct access to the white-sand beachfront, a private infinity pool, outdoor shower and terrace.
• 2-Bedroom Beach Houses – More space, ideal for families. Beachfront lawn, private pool, larger living and dining areas.
• 2-Bedroom Sea View Houses – Set slightly back or elevated with widescreen sea views, large terraces and private pools.
• 4-Bedroom Water Villas – Around 10,000 sq ft, perched right on the waterline with panoramic views, big infinity pools, roof terraces and BBQ areas.
• 5-Bedroom Estate Villas – The headline “estate homes” within the resort inventory; massive lawns, big pools, palm-fringed gardens and extensive indoor–outdoor living.

In practice, almost every resort villa has:

• A private infinity-edge pool
• Floor-to-ceiling windows and loft-like living rooms
• Outdoor lounge and dining spaces
• High-end bathrooms (often with open or outdoor showers)

Before you book, double-check the resort’s operating status: Zaya Nurai Island has occasionally gone through temporary closures for renovations, and some facilities or restaurants may be under refurbishment at any given time.

Nurai Island Villas for Sale: Residential Properties & Investment

If you’re looking beyond a short stay and thinking of Nurai as a second home or investment, you’re dealing with one of the most exclusive residential communities in Abu Dhabi.

Property Types on Nurai Island

• 1–2 Bedroom Beachside Villas – Smaller beachfront homes, often used as private holiday houses or occasionally placed in rental schemes.
• 4-Bedroom Water Villas – Around 10,000 sq ft, ultra-modern, arranged right on the waterfront.
• 4–6 Bedroom Beachfront Mansions / Estate Villas – The top tier: huge plots, private beaches or direct beachfront, oversized pools, expansive indoor–outdoor living.

Architecture and Design Features

• Glass façades for uninterrupted Gulf views and natural light
• Open-plan layouts designed for hosting and entertaining
• Seamless indoor–outdoor flow: terraces, decks, lawns, rooftop lounges
• Green roofs and landscape integration, so villas blend into the island rather than dominate it

Indicative Property Prices on Nurai Island

Recent real-estate listings suggest approximate asking prices like:

• 4-bedroom villas: around AED 25,630,000
• 5-bedroom villas: around AED 48,333,000
• 6-bedroom mansions: around AED 45,000,000

These numbers are indicative only. On an island this small, each villa is quite unique. View, orientation, plot size, interior upgrades and whether it’s part of a hotel rental programme will all skew the price.

Rental and Investment Potential

Nurai isn’t a typical “residential rental neighborhood.” You rarely see standard annual rentals advertised here. Instead:

• Owners use villas as personal holiday homes, and
• Some choose to rent via short-term programmes (often integrated with Zaya Nurai Island Resort) to capture premium nightly rates.

If you’re seriously exploring Nurai Island real estate, expect to go through specialist luxury brokers who can share detailed 2D and 3D floor plans, rental performance projections and any current off-plan or resale opportunities.

Dining & Nightlife on Nurai Island

For such a compact island, Nurai offers a surprisingly wide range of restaurants, cafés and bars. Most options are within easy walking or buggy distance from the villas.

Restaurants and Bars to Know

• Frangipani
  All-day dining restaurant known for organic, seasonal produce and a farm-to-table style menu. It usually handles breakfast plus leisurely lunches and dinners. (Operations may vary during renovations, so check ahead.)
• Dusk / Dusk Lounge
  A casual, stylish spot with a Mexican-inspired menu—think tacos, guacamole, and Latin-flavoured dishes. Ideal for sunset cocktails and relaxed evenings.
• Smokin’ Pineapple
  Beach club vibe with a wood-fired pizza oven, chill music and daybeds. It’s where you go for oven-hot pizza, poolside snacks and a laid-back, barefoot atmosphere.
• Hooked
  Casual seafood and Lebanese restaurant right by the water. One of the fun touches: they’ll often grill your catch if you’ve been out fishing.

Nightlife on Nurai is intentionally intimate rather than wild. Expect sunset drinks, low-key DJ sets or live music during special events—more “island lounge” than big-city nightclub.

Beaches, Watersports and Things to Do on Nurai Island

If you’re asking, “What do you actually do on Nurai Island?”—you’re mostly toggling between white-sand beaches, water activities, and wellness, with the odd event or excursion off-island.

Beach Life: White Sand & Turquoise Water

• Fine, white-sand beaches encircle most of the island.
• Water is usually shallow, calm, and swimmable, ideal for floating around or paddle boarding.
• Many villas feature semi-private or private strips of beach.
• The main resort beaches come with loungers, umbrellas and full beach service for food and drinks.

Watersports and Ocean Activities

Nurai Island is essentially a curated watersports playground. You’ll typically find:

• Non-motorised water sports:
  • Kayaking
  • Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)
  • Snorkelling (in designated areas)
  • Fly fishing
• Motorised and adventure activities:
  • Jet skiing
  • Banana boat rides
  • Windsurfing
• Boat trips:
  • Sightseeing cruises
  • Fishing excursions (with the option to cook your catch at Hooked)

Equipment rental and basic instruction are usually available via the island’s watersports centre.

Family-Friendly Island: Kids’ Club, Water Park and Wellness

Nurai Island might be a luxury private island, but it’s explicitly built with families and children in mind.

Kids’ Club & Water Park

Petit Z – Kids’ Club

• Dedicated indoor space for kids
• Structured programs by age group
• Activities like arts and crafts, games, reading corners and educational play
• Supervised by resort staff, so parents can sneak off to the spa or relax by the pool

Water Park & Splash Area

• Compact water park with:
  • Four slides
  • A tipping water bucket
  • Splash pool
• Sun loungers positioned for parents to watch easily
• Snack and drinks corner plus homemade ice cream

Spa, Yoga and Fitness

Nurai also functions as a wellness retreat if that’s your priority.

• Yoga pavilion – for regular group sessions and private yoga or wellness retreats.
• Sea-view spa – treatments close to the water, couples’ rituals and outdoor options for maximum “island” feel.
• Glass-enclosed gym – with sea views, plus a Jacuzzi and herbal tea corner to wind down.
• Sports facilities – tennis court (with optional private lessons), beach volleyball, badminton and general beach games.

Events, Weddings and Corporate Retreats on Nurai Island

Zaya Nurai Island leans heavily into its reputation as a destination event venue for both private and corporate groups.

• Destination weddings – intimate beachfront ceremonies, island buy-outs, al fresco receptions. The island setting makes it a go-to for high-end weddings.
• Corporate retreats – strategy offsites, incentive trips and leadership gatherings combine meeting spaces with leisure and wellness.
• Private celebrations – birthdays, anniversaries, themed beach parties and family reunions.
• Festivals and special events – occasional lifestyle or music events like Nurai Fest, often centred around the beach clubs.

An in-house events team typically handles décor, F&B, entertainment and logistics if you’re planning something significant.

Nearby Areas: Combining Nurai with Abu Dhabi Attractions

You won’t be popping back to the mainland every day, but it’s easy enough to combine a Nurai Island stay with a bit of wider Abu Dhabi sightseeing.

Saadiyat Island and Yas Island

• Saadiyat Island (10–15 minutes by boat to the Welcome Center):
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi
  • Saadiyat Beach and the cultural district
  • Other luxury beachfront resorts and beach clubs
• Yas Island (~10–15 minutes’ drive from the Welcome Center):
  • Yas Mall – shopping, dining, cinema, kids’ entertainment
  • Yas Links – championship golf course on the water
  • Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

In practice, most people treat Nurai as an escape base: one or two mainland days at most, not a daily commute.

Practical Tips: Booking, Best Time to Visit and Costs

How to Book Nurai Island (Resort and Day Passes)

• Overnight stays – book via the official Zaya Nurai Island website or major platforms like Booking.com, Expedia or TripAdvisor. Luxury travel agents may also bundle Nurai into wider UAE itineraries.
• Day passes – when available, they usually include boat transfer access plus a set amount of F&B credit and beach/pool use. These can sell out during peak season; always pre-book.
• Restaurant bookings – in some cases, a confirmed restaurant reservation can secure day access, but you still need to arrange boat transfer times with the resort.
• Property viewings – if you’re exploring Nurai Island villas for sale, expect to coordinate with a luxury broker who will handle the access passes and boat transfers for property tours.

Best Time to Visit Nurai Island

• November to March – ideal weather: cooler evenings, comfortable daytime temperatures, perfect beach and outdoor conditions.
• April to May / October – shoulder seasons: warmer but still manageable, often with slightly better rates.
• June to September – hot and humid. Still doable, but you’ll be rotating between A/C, the pool and the sea, with midday hours mostly indoors.

Pack plenty of reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light jacket or shawl for winter evenings by the water.

Mobility, Connectivity and Practical Comfort

• Remember: no cars on the island. If you have very young kids or mobility constraints, request a villa location that works for you and clarify buggy availability.
• Wi‑Fi is generally available, but if you need mission-critical connectivity (e.g. for work), confirm coverage and backup options with the resort.
• For sports, you can bring your own tennis racket, padel racket or yoga mat if you’re particular about gear.

Costs and Who Nurai Island Really Suits

Nurai Island is positioned firmly in the ultra-luxury category:

• Villa rates are among the highest in Abu Dhabi.
• Food, drinks and activities are priced more like a Maldives-style private island than a city hotel.

It’s best suited to:

• Couples and honeymooners looking for a romantic, secluded escape.
• Families wanting a safe, fully-contained island with kids’ amenities and beaches right outside the door.
• Groups and corporate clients considering buy-outs or curated retreats.
• High-net-worth investors exploring luxury beachfront real estate in Abu Dhabi.

Is Nurai Island Worth It? Pros and Cons to Consider

Before you commit to a booking or start talking to agents about a Nurai Island villa, it’s useful to weigh up the trade-offs.

• Pros:
  • Genuine private island feel without leaving the UAE.
  • All-villa, all-pool setup – no standard hotel rooms.
  • Strong family-friendly infrastructure (kids’ club, water park, beach activities).
  • High privacy and exclusivity, ideal for events, retreats or low-profile breaks.
  • Access to world-class Abu Dhabi attractions with a short transfer.
• Cons:
  • Premium pricing on accommodation, dining and activities.
  • Reliance on boat schedules for arrivals/departures and any mainland trips.
  • Limited restaurant count compared with a city; you’re committing to an island bubble.
  • Occasional renovation closures or facility changes, so you have to double-check what’s open.

FAQs About Nurai Island Abu Dhabi

Where is Nurai Island located in Abu Dhabi?

Nurai Island sits in the Arabian Gulf, just off the eastern coast of Abu Dhabi, a short boat ride from Saadiyat Island. Access is via the Zaya Nurai Island Welcome Center on Saadiyat.

Is Nurai Island man-made?

Nurai is a natural island that’s been significantly landscaped and developed as a high-end resort and residential community, rather than an entirely man-made structure like some other UAE islands.

How far is Nurai Island from Abu Dhabi city?

From central Abu Dhabi to the Welcome Center on Saadiyat Island is about 20 km by road. From there, the boat transfer is around 10–15 minutes.

How far is Nurai Island from Dubai?

From Dubai to the Saadiyat Welcome Center is roughly 86 km, or about 1–1.5 hours’ drive depending on your starting point and traffic. Then add the 10–15 minute boat transfer to Nurai itself.

Are cars allowed on Nurai Island?

No. Private cars are not allowed on Nurai Island. All internal movement is on foot, by bicycle or via golf buggies operated by the resort.

Can you visit Nurai Island for a day without staying overnight?

Yes, but only with a confirmed day pass or restaurant booking that includes boat access. Day passes typically include boat transfer plus credit or access to certain facilities. You can’t usually just show up at the Welcome Center without a reservation.

What types of accommodations are available on Nurai Island?

You’ll find 1–2 bedroom beach villas and beach houses, 2-bedroom sea view houses, 4-bedroom water villas and 5-bedroom estate villas, all with private pools and luxury fit-outs.

Is Nurai Island family-friendly?

Yes. Despite its ultra-luxury positioning, Nurai is very family-friendly, with a kids’ club (Petit Z), water park, shallow beaches, and a relaxed, car-free environment.

Can foreigners buy property on Nurai Island?

Nurai Island is part of Abu Dhabi’s freehold luxury real estate landscape, and buyers typically include both UAE nationals and international investors. The specifics of eligibility and ownership structure are best clarified with a specialised Abu Dhabi property lawyer or reputable luxury brokerage.

How do I book a hotel or villa on Nurai Island?

For hotel stays, book through the official Zaya Nurai Island website or major OTAs (Booking.com, Expedia, etc.), making sure boat transfers are clearly included. For villa purchases or private villa stays, work with a luxury agency experienced in Nurai Island properties; they’ll handle availability, viewings and detailed property information.

Is Nurai Island worth visiting?

If you value privacy, design-led villas, direct beach access and a contained, curated environment, then yes—Nurai Island is one of the most distinctive getaways in the UAE. If you’re more interested in bustling city energy, a wide restaurant scene and easy on/off access, you might be happier basing yourself on Saadiyat or Yas and visiting Nurai as a one-day escape instead.