Do you fancy kilometers of golden beaches, horseback rides along the turquoise sea, or perhaps a real safari adventure? You can experience all of this and more on Sir Bani Yas Island. This natural island emerged approximately 600 million years ago, thus holding a long and exciting history. There have been people on the island since 5,500 BC, but when the natural water supply dried up in the 1940s, the island was abandoned, and the locals moved to the mainland. In the 1970s, the then Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan designated the island as a wildlife reserve, which now houses over 10,000 endangered species of Arabian, Indian, and African wildlife. Sir Bani Yas Island is a fantastic destination for animal lovers and water enthusiasts, as well as anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing day in the stunning surroundings.

Worth seeing
Most tourists come to the island to visit the wildlife reserve, and it is definitely worth a visit. You can rent a car and drive into the area, which consists of several enclosures where the animals roam freely. The savannah where the animals wander is created by an extensive irrigation system, making the otherwise arid island habitable. Among the many animals you can encounter in the park are the world's largest herd of the endangered Arabian oryx, which happily thrives on the island. Additionally, you can look forward to seeing large, peaceful giraffes strolling on their long legs, the lightning-fast northern cheetah – the world's fastest animal, capable of running at 122 km/h, adorable golden jackals, and striped hyenas, who delight in the many visitors. Furthermore, there is an abundance of birds, reptiles, bats, and insects on the island.

If you'd rather enjoy the sun and crystal-clear waters, you don't have to miss out on wildlife, as there are plenty of fascinating creatures by and in the sea. Flocks of pink flamingos stand and chat on one leg, and in the waves, two cute species of dolphins frolic alongside sharks and the playful manatees. In the distance, you might hear loud roars, but don't be afraid – the only lions on the island are beach lions. The loud sounds come from the ostriches of Sir Bani Yas Island, capable of emitting the most impressive roars. Like most of the animals, they are quite harmless.

Although the wildlife reserve and the beach are some of the island's biggest attractions, there are certainly activities for those who want something entirely different. Sir Bani Yas Island has many exciting archaeological findings, including a large tomb from 2000 BC. However, the most significant discovery is the ruins of the large monastery, dating back to 600 AD. The monastery was first discovered in 1992, and archaeologists are still finding treasures in the sand, but it's already an incredibly exciting place to visit to delve into the island's history.

Currency
The currency in the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (AED). You can use your credit card in most shops and shopping centers, but there are still some places, like taxis, where you may expect to pay in cash. There are many ATMs around where you can withdraw money, but be aware that you may be charged extra fees.