Zaya Nurai, private island in Abu Dhabi
Zaya Nurai is a privately owned island in the Persian Gulf featuring 65 beachfront villas, each with a private pool, outdoor shower, and direct access to white sand beaches. The accommodations blend modern design with natural surroundings, offering sea views from most rooms and terraces.
The island was developed in 2008 and briefly held the record for the highest land prices in Abu Dhabi before opening to overnight guests in 2014. This shift from exclusive residential project to guest destination marked a significant change in the emirate's development strategy.
The island's name comes from the Arabic word 'Nur', meaning light, a reference chosen to capture the way sunlight dances across the water and sand throughout the day.
Visitors can reach the island by speedboat in about 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi, though advance booking is necessary since day visits are limited. Meals and beverages are covered in the day-pass cost, making planning easier for groups and families.
The Nurai Spa features treatment pavilions built over the water on platforms, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open onto the sea. These overwater structures are found nowhere else in Abu Dhabi and create an unusual spa experience directly above the waves.
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