A local host’s guide to Yas Island.
F1 paddock walks. Theme parks. The Yas Marina sunset. Restaurants worth the drive. The intel we send first-time guests.
Stay with Casa Duna while you explore Yas Island.
Boutique 1BR apartment, owner-operated, 8 min walk to the F1 paddock. From AED 600/night, direct booking — your best rate, every time.
Your Yas Island guide
Steps from theme parks, the F1 circuit, the marina, beaches and the airport. Here’s what’s around you when you stay at Casa Duna.
F1 + Yas Marina Circuit
Yas Marina Circuit is a short walk away — perfect for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Yasalam concert week. Etihad Arena is 5 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk along the marina.
Theme parks
Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld are 5–10 minutes by car. Different park each day, back home for a swim before sunset.
Marina, beach & dining
Yas Marina has waterfront dining and family cafes. Yas Mall is 5 minutes. Yas Beach is open year-round, and the Yas Bay boardwalk buzzes after dark. Zayed International Airport is 10 minutes.
On Yas Island this month
May 2026 — quick rundown
Your insider guide
Everything we tell our friends when they come visit — the best rides, where to eat, taxi prices, and how to skip the queues. Distances are from Casa Duna at Water’s Edge.
Theme parks (5–10 minutes by car)
- Ferrari World — home of Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest rollercoaster (240 km/h). Open daily 11AM–8PM. ferrariworldabudhabi.com
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — the world’s largest indoor aquarium and immersive marine park. Open 10AM–7PM. seaworldabudhabi.com
- Warner Bros. World — fully indoor theme park with DC superheroes and Looney Tunes. Open 11AM–8PM. wbworldabudhabi.com
- Yas Waterworld — over 40 rides and slides, including the record-breaking Dawamah. Open 10AM–6PM. yaswaterworld.com
- CLYMB Yas — the world’s largest indoor skydiving chamber and a 43m climbing wall. Cool, kid-friendly, two genuinely unique experiences in one venue.
Parks are quietest mid-week mornings. Buy tickets in advance through the official sites — the multi-park combos save 30–40%.
F1, concerts and live shows
- Yas Marina Circuit — a 5-minute walk along the marina. Hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Nov 28–Dec 8, 2026), karting, drag racing and corporate days year-round. yasmarinacircuit.com
- Etihad Arena — 5 minutes by car or 15-minute walk. Capacity 18,000. Recent and upcoming shows include Benson Boone, Post Malone, Metallica, Katy Perry, Tarkan and Christina Aguilera. etihadarena.ae
- Yasalam After-Race Concerts — free with a Grand Prix ticket. Past headliners: Eminem, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Drake.
Where to eat
- Yas Marina — the waterfront promenade has Cipriani (upscale Italian), CHAR Pan-Asian-Steakhouse, Aquarium Restaurant (seafood) and Iris (rooftop with views over the F1 circuit). Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Yas Bay Waterfront — the newer promenade by Etihad Arena has Garage (American), Asia Asia (pan-Asian), Al Mrzab (Emirati), Kayan (Lebanese). Casual, family-friendly, sunset views.
- Yas Mall — Mama’esh, Operation: Falafel, plus a full mall food court. Faster, easier with kids.
Want our ranked take? Read our 2026 restaurants guide.
Beaches & outdoor
- Yas Beach — soft sand, calm waters, day passes available with daybeds, watersports, and a beach restaurant. Day passes from ~50 AED weekday, ~100 AED weekend. yasbeachuae.com
- Yas Bay Waterfront — a 1.6 km promenade by the marina with food trucks, music, weekend markets and a kids’ play zone. Free, family-friendly, magical at night.
- Water’s Edge promenade — the canal walk right outside your door is perfect at sunset. Electric scooters in the courtyard let you cover the whole thing.
Getting around
- Zayed International Airport — 10 minutes by car. Most flights into AUH means you can be checked in and showered in under 30 minutes from landing.
- Careem and Uber — the easiest way to move around. Most rides on Yas Island cost 12–30 AED. Both apps work seamlessly here.
- Free parking — every Casa Duna unit comes with a free 24/7 designated covered parking spot in the building’s underground garage. Send us your plate and we’ll register it in PARKONIC before you arrive.
- Walking — the Yas Marina Circuit walkway, Etihad Arena and the Yas Bay promenade are all walkable. Bring a hat in summer.
Beyond Yas Island
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — 25 minutes by car. Open daily, free entry. Modest dress required (abayas provided at the entrance). Sunset visits are unforgettable.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi — 30 minutes by car, on Saadiyat Island. World-class collection in a stunning Jean Nouvel building. Closed Mondays.
- Downtown Abu Dhabi (the Corniche) — 25 minutes. Waterfront promenade, Emirates Palace and Etihad Towers are clustered together. Good for a half-day.
- Dubai Marina — 55 minutes. Doable as a day trip; book the JBR beach side for the easiest mix of beach + dining + shopping.
Practical tips
- Best season — October to April. Daytime 22–30°C, low humidity, every outdoor activity is at its best. May to September is hot (38–45°C) but the indoor parks, the mall and the waterpark stay open.
- What to pack — sunscreen, hat, light layers (AC is cold indoors), and a swimsuit. Modest dress for the mosque.
- Tipping — not required but appreciated. 10% is generous at restaurants.
- Need help? — day-trip planning, last-minute groceries, restaurant bookings — just ask. WhatsApp +971 58 580 2785.