Abu Dhabi gets new 1km-long new beach

The new Al Hudayriat Public beach in Abu Dhabi. - Photo by Ryan Lim

Abu Dhabi - The beach is a 10-minute walk from any point of Hudayriat Island

A new public beach is now open to residents of the capital.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Sunday, inaugurated the Hudayriat beach which is open to all residents and visitors.
Located on Hudayriat Island, southwest of Abu Dhabi, the beach which has been built by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, is part of the recreational facilities and amenities for the new housing water community project to be developed on the island.
The beach is a 10-minute walk from any point of the Island. Open to the public from 8am until 7pm, the smooth, white sand beach has been levelled and raked to perfection.
Stretching over 800 metres-long, the beach also has sports facilities adjacent to it, including a 10km-riding track, football pitches, basketball and tennis courts, beach football, children's playing areas and other facilities.
Abu Dhabi residents have welcomed the new facility, but it seems not many beachgoers will check out the new place in the coming weekdays as it is holy month of Ramadan.
"The opening of the new beach will increase options for recreational facilities in the capital during the hot months," said Mohammed Abbas, 30, an Egyptian resident of Abu Dhabi.
He added: "However, it's Ramadan and I don't think I will visit the beach soon. But I will see it in the evenings on Fridays or else it will be after Ramadan."
Indian expat Rahman Fahad, 33, an Abu Dhabi expat and a regular beachgoer, says he loves spending time on the beach with family.
"My wife and I like swimming with our kids. The bad thing is that it's Ramadan now. But our next hangout spot over the weekends after Ramadan will be this new beach. I heard it's really a fantastic facility and I can't wait to visit the place."
The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council said that by using and enhancing the environmental features in this unique area of Abu Dhabi, this development will raise the standard of living, restore Emirati culture, promote healthy lifestyles and create a variety of coastal activities and attractions.
Abu Dhabi first announced plans to develop Hudayriat in 2009, when work on Yas Island was under way. The southern part of the island will be allocated for Emirati housing. The land, according to the master plan, will be "significantly expanded to the south and cut through by canals, with a transition to mangroves along its outer edges."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

Hudariyat beach facts