The most beautiful islands in the Middle East
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and with protected nature reserves, dazzling man-made archipelagos and UNESCO-listed biodiversity, the Middle East certainly has plenty of beautiful islands. Traditionally, few have looked to the region when planning an island escape. However, today’s travellers are looking for more than just white sands. With that in mind, here are eight islands in the Middle East offering beauty on the beach and beyond.
D. Hurst / Alamy Stock PhotoWorld Islands, Dubai
Dubai is famous for its many striking islands, and though Palm Jumeirah is undoubtedly the best known, the World Islands are perhaps the most ambitious. The man-made archipelago that sits around four kilometres off the city’s coast is, as the name suggests, designed to resemble the world map. The 300 dredged sand isles that pepper the Arabian Gulf are grouped into seven clusters to represent the continents, and combine to create a further 232 kilometres of Dubai shoreline, although the majority are currently undeveloped. In fact, its visual impact is best felt from the air, when the project’s scale can be fully appreciated. Best known for the Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort; The World captures the essence of a tropical paradise providing an island getaway 15 minutes from the Dubai coast. Lebanon Island with its Royal Island Beach Club was the first development to open, followed by the Heart of Europe, a collection of projects including luxury hotels and a lido, loosely styled with a nod to European destinations such as Portofino.
robertharding / Alamy Stock PhotoMasirah Island, Oman
This isolated idyll lies off the coast of Oman, offering sandy beaches, coral reefs and marine wildlife, with nesting loggerhead turtles burrowing in on its shores. With a rocky interior of palm oases and a picturesque rim of sandy beaches, Masirah gives off strong castaway vibes, despite being a mere 19km from the mainland. Regular ferry crossings from Shannah Port mean it is a popular spot for locals who make the hour-long voyage for diving, snorkelling and camping, while year-round strong winds make for excellent kite surfing. As well as water sports, the island is also a hotspot for birdwatchers, while history buffs can explore the Marsis Old Fort or a historical Islamic cemetery. If camping feels a bit too Robinson Crusoe, there are a handful of hotels on Masirah Island offering rustic yet comfortable rooms.
robertharding / Alamy Stock PhotoSocotra Island, Yemen
Want to be alone? Drama and seclusion go hand in hand on the Yemeni island of Socotra. With its otherworldly landscapes, distinctive “dragon’s blood” trees and unique wildlife, geographers consider the island to be one of the most isolated non-volcanic landforms on the planet. Lying offshore from the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemeni island was given UNESCO status in 2008 and its rugged isolation guards an outstanding biodiversity, with more than 700 of the island’s species found nowhere else on Earth. The “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean” as it is known, remains largely unexplored, though a trickle of tourists are returning to explore the blinding white sands and looming dark mountains. The only way to visit Socotra is to go through a specialist tour operator such as Cookson Adventures, as commercial flights are not currently scheduled.
Keton37 / Alamy Stock PhotoAl Dar Islands and Jarada Island, Bahrain
The kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of more than 30 islands, though most travellers only visit the two biggest, Bahrain and Muharraq. While many of the smaller islands remain off-limits to tourists, Al Dar Islands is a pleasant exception, with regular sea taxis whisking visitors to land. The island is home to a restaurant and bar, chalets and plenty of sunbeds, from which you can spot dolphins on a clear day. Shallow swimming areas surround the pretty coastline, with several water sports activities on offer, including pearl diving. Another option in Bahrain is Jarada Island, a strip of sand in clear seas – but make sure you keep track of the time as its brilliant shores are swallowed by the tide.
Leisa Tyler / Alamy Stock PhotoSir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Christian monks, wild cheetahs and delicate flamingos have all made their home on Sir Bani Yas Island, leaving a fascinating legacy for today’s well-heeled travellers. Wildlife meets luxury at the Abu Dhabi nature reserve, where oryx, giraffes and hyenas roam freely around boutique hotels, luxury villas and crumbling historical sites. The 87-square-kilometre salt dome is the UAE’s biggest natural island, more than half of which is taken up by the region’s largest wildlife reserve, the Arabian Wildlife Park. Here more than 17,000 animals roam to the delight of nature spotters on 4x4 safari drives, by bike and on foot. At the heart of the reserve, Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara forms a luxury fortress with stunning seaside views from its 64 rooms, suites and pool villas. The ancient island is also home to a Christian church and monastery, which were uncovered in 1992, and thought to have been built around 1400 years ago before being abandoned around 800AD.
robertharding / Alamy Stock PhotoFarasan Islands, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is becoming known for its fine beaches and the Farasan Islands boast some of the best. Around 40km (or an hour-long boat ride) from Jazan, a port city in the country’s south-west, more than 80 islands make up the coral-ringed archipelago, which is celebrated for its biodiversity. Once the stomping ground of pearl divers and fishermen, the islands now serve as one of the finest snorkelling sites in the region, inhabited by more than 230 different species of fish, dolphins and endangered hawksbill turtles. Over the years, the main island has been used as a Roman garrison and a German Second World War fort, with the Aksumites and Arabs calling it home at various points. Today, visitors can pick their way through the old sandstone village of Al Qassar, which dates back to the Roman Empire and was completely rebuilt to host tourists.
Maher IskandarRabbit Island, Lebanon
One of the lesser-known islands on the list, Rabbit Island packs a big punch. Not for its five-star hotels (there aren’t any) or its exciting food scene (take a picnic), but for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and liberating sense of seclusion. Rabbit Island – also known as Palm Island – is named for its former fluffy-tailed inhabitants who bred copiously during the French Mandate in the early 20th century. Today, there isn’t a cotton tail in sight, though visitors can spot turtles, seals and many migratory bird species depending on the season. The island is easily accessible via a 30-minute boat service from Tripoli port, around 1 hour 20 minutes north of Beirut. Make sure you pack food and supplies as there are no shops or facilities once you dock.
Red Sea DevelopmentRed Sea Resort, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Resort encompasses 92 untouched isles off the country’s west coast and will open to tourists later this year. Shura Island will be the main hub of the Red Sea development with 11 luxury resorts under construction including Jumeirah The Red Sea, Raffles Red Sea and the Red Sea Edition. The island itself is shaped like a dolphin and is connected to the mainland by a 3.3km crossing, which is Saudi Arabia’s longest internal bridge. There will also be a luxury marine and an 18-hole championship golf course, beach clubs and mangrove habitats to support native flora and fauna. The neighbouring Sheybarah Island is futuristic in design, featuring 38 overwater villas, a spa and two restaurants. Located a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland, the spills onto some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, which will be protected throughout development.