Lulu island opened to the public about 6 months ago and has been improving gradually ever since. This island, just off the coast of Abu Dhabi, and visible from the Corniche, is a 5 minute boat ride from the dock next to the heritage village on the breakwater. Boat passengers are provided with life jackets on the trip over and back on the open boats, so safety is a priority.
When you get there, there are air conditioned buses (15dhs per person) or a small train (20dhs) available to take you around the island, either to one of the beach areas or to the man made pool area which is in the centre of the island. There is a small restaurant here and changing facilities, and I've heard camel rides on weekends, but I haven't been there on a weekend yet.
We chose the beach area as it was a weekday and the place was practically empty. The beach is dotted with shaded areas, which are shaped like the top of a tent (as in the picture above) and provide plenty of shade from the sun if one is tired of basking under those rays.
The water is enclosed in a breakwater type inlet so there are no waves, just still calm water, and unlike many of the beach areas in Abu Dhabi these days, it is devoid of construction rock under foot – a pleasant change from the norm. Here it’s soft sand and some seaweed.
When the day is done and you want to return to the boat, you need only phone the bus driver, or stand on the road at one of the bus stops provided and the bus will arrive at intervals of about 30 minutes to take you back.
We had our own cooler box with a picnic, drinks etc and nobody had a problem with that, though I have heard that the buffet lunch at the restaurant is very nice. Plastic chairs, tables and loungers are provided, while you need to bring your own towels/mats/rugs.
Overall, a very enjoyable day, and for 15 or 20 dhs it was a bargain, especially considering the high priced entrance to beaches around the city and suburbs these days. There is security on the island and they ride around on 4 wheel motorbikes regularly in case of any problems. Weekends are said to be quite busy, but it’s open from 8am to 8pm, so get there early to book your shade!
When you get there, there are air conditioned buses (15dhs per person) or a small train (20dhs) available to take you around the island, either to one of the beach areas or to the man made pool area which is in the centre of the island. There is a small restaurant here and changing facilities, and I've heard camel rides on weekends, but I haven't been there on a weekend yet.
We chose the beach area as it was a weekday and the place was practically empty. The beach is dotted with shaded areas, which are shaped like the top of a tent (as in the picture above) and provide plenty of shade from the sun if one is tired of basking under those rays.
The water is enclosed in a breakwater type inlet so there are no waves, just still calm water, and unlike many of the beach areas in Abu Dhabi these days, it is devoid of construction rock under foot – a pleasant change from the norm. Here it’s soft sand and some seaweed.
When the day is done and you want to return to the boat, you need only phone the bus driver, or stand on the road at one of the bus stops provided and the bus will arrive at intervals of about 30 minutes to take you back.
We had our own cooler box with a picnic, drinks etc and nobody had a problem with that, though I have heard that the buffet lunch at the restaurant is very nice. Plastic chairs, tables and loungers are provided, while you need to bring your own towels/mats/rugs.
Overall, a very enjoyable day, and for 15 or 20 dhs it was a bargain, especially considering the high priced entrance to beaches around the city and suburbs these days. There is security on the island and they ride around on 4 wheel motorbikes regularly in case of any problems. Weekends are said to be quite busy, but it’s open from 8am to 8pm, so get there early to book your shade!
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