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Jinanah Island
An island off the radar
In the western reaches of Abu Dhabi, just across the lagoon from Al Mirfa, Jinanah Island sits within the protected waters of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve in the Al Dhafra region. It doesn’t have resorts or visitor facilities, and its name is rarely mentioned, but like others in the reserve – including Marawah Island, Al Fiyay Island and Al Bazm Al Gharbi – Jinanah Island plays a crucial role in protecting some of the UAE’s most fragile marine life.
In the waters surrounding the island, rich ecosystems of seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangroves flourish. Beneath the surface, Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, hawksbill turtles and a large population of dugongs glide through the shallows. Overhead, thousands of migrating birds pass through, temporarily joining the island’s permanent flamingo residents to rest and forage.
But it’s not always quite so calm. The annual Al Dhafra Watersports Festival sees sailing races trace a course around the island, briefly turning it into a backdrop for one of the UAE’s most celebrated maritime events. For the rest of the year, Jinanah Island remains largely unseen – but if you have a permit and a private boat, its surrounding waters are waiting to be explored. Mooring buoys in the marine protected area allow for low-impact stops, where you can snorkel, scuba dive, line fish or simply spy marine mammals from the deck. Even if you don’t set foot on the island itself, experiencing it from the water is worth the trip.
Jinanah Island map
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Where to stay
While Jinanah Island itself is uninhabited and protected, visitors looking to explore the surrounding marine area will find plenty of accommodation options in Abu Dhabi City, particularly in the waterfront districts of Al Bateen or the Corniche. Both areas serve as convenient launch points for private boat charters heading west toward the Al Yasat Marine Protected Area, where Jinanah is located.
The Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi in Al Bateen offers elegant rooms and fully serviced residences with sweeping coastal views, while the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche and Le Royal Méridien provide upscale comfort close to the city’s top cultural sites and marinas. For budget-conscious travellers, the Corniche area also features several mid-range hotels with easy access to charter services.
Getting to Jinanah Island
Jinanah Island is located just offshore from Al Mirfa in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, across the Khor Al Bazim lagoon and within the boundaries of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. There is rarely public access to the island itself, and no facilities for visitors, but its surrounding waters can be explored by private boat or yacht with the proper permits.
The easiest place to begin a journey to Jinanah is from the marinas at Al Bateen or the Corniche, where several licensed yacht charter companies operate and can give you information about visiting the reserve. From here, the trip by boat typically takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
While stepping onto the island isn’t usually permitted, low-impact marine activities like recreational line fishing and marine wildlife watching are allowed in the waters around it, provided you follow conservation guidelines and use the designated mooring buoys in the area. It’s a remote journey, but for those interested in Abu Dhabi’s protected marine ecosystems, Jinanah is a treasure trove.
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FAQs about Jinanah Island
Where is Jinanah Island located?
Jinanah Island is located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, just off the coast of Al Mirfa. It sits within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, one of the most ecologically important protected areas in the UAE.
Can visitors access Jinanah Island?
The island itself is usually off-limits to the public to protect its fragile ecosystems, and there are no visitor facilities or infrastructure. However, with the appropriate permit and a private vessel, visitors can explore the surrounding waters using designated mooring buoys provided within the reserve.
Why is Jinanah Island important?
Though small and undeveloped, Jinanah Island plays a key role in marine conservation. The waters around it are home to endangered species like dugongs, Hawksbill turtles and Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, as well as vital habitats like coral reefs and mangroves. It’s also part of a major migratory bird route and hosts a year-round population of flamingos.