At 87 square kilometres, it is the largest, natural island in the United Arab Emirates. But its size is not what elevates Sir Baniyas Island, 250 kms off Abu Dhabi, to a must-see destination. Its claim to fame also does not lie in the fact that it is steeped in history. Yes, it is true that here, you will find more than 35 archaeological sites manifesting evidence that it was inhabited by humans in nearly every known era in the past. Yet, such deep-rooted historic connections are not its chief claim to fame either.

What has truly made this fascinating island into a coveted attraction has been the far-sighted vision of one man. The dream he had of providing wildlife, be it from Arabia, Africa or Asia, a secure and peaceful home. Sir Bani Yas Island is thus the manifestation of the nation’s late ruler and former President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who has been instrumental in transforming this once arid desert island into a verdant haven for a wide range of wildlife.

Originally developed as a private wildlife retreat and sanctuary for rare Asiatic and African species for the late President, today, the island is part of an unusual environmental and biological experiment. Here, around 23 species of free-roaming animals, including giraffes, a variety of antelope and one the world’s largest herd of the critically endangered Arabian Oryx can be found. Birdlife includes flamingos, sea gulls, cormorants, wild fowl, pintails, shovelers, black winged stilts, teals, crab plovers, avocets and grey herons.

The earliest recorded mention of Sir Bani Yas Island appears in Venetian jeweller Gasparo Balbi’s travel documents (circa 1590) listing ‘Sirbeniyas’ as an island around which pearls were found. More than two centuries later, it was described in some detail by British naval officers who were surveying the lower Gulf waters during the 1820s and 1850s.

Named after the people of the Bani Yas tribal confederation for whom the island offered a refuge and staging post with a safe anchorage, good fishing and the prized Gulf pearl beds nearby, Sheikh Zayed initially chose Sir Bani Yas as a place to spend time with his family. This was in keeping with an age-old Bedouin tradition that took advantage of the sea-breezes during the hot summer weather.

Coupled with the introduction of various indigenous and other species of both birds and animals, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan also introduced a programme of tree plantation following which nearly 2.5 million plants and trees have been planted here, including over 18,000 date palms and olive groves.

For 40 years, Sir Baniyas remained a royal retreat with invitation-only guests enjoying the privilege of being given a personal tour of the island. However, with the opening of the 64-room luxury Desert Islands Resort and Spa hotel, located on the island, a new form of nature and adventure tourism has begun to emerge in the state capital.

Guests at this distinctive beachfront resort – that has the look and feel of a sheikh’s home and incorporates earthy colours for its interior – can enjoy a range of adventure activities. Outdoor activities include 4x4 tours of the Arabian Wildlife Park, which has one of the world’s largest herds of Arabian Oryx; kayaking through mangrove forests; snorkelling in the protected waters which are rich in marine life; or hiking and mountain biking across the island’s ancient salt domes.

As the result of a successful breeding programme undertaken by His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, indigenous Arabian wildlife from the Arabian National Park roam next to the turquoise island waters. Here, llamas, giraffes, ostriches and gazelles also wander freely, while other families of mammals are found grazing in their enclosures.

The collection includes more than 500 eland, the biggest antelope in the world; 30 giraffes; blackbuck antelope, native to India, Pakistan and Nepal; the urial, a wild sheep with reddish-brown fur and large horns found in Iran, Kazakhstan and South-west Pakistan; and Barbary sheep from North Africa. The charming flamingos are a staple on the island, whose shoreline boasts mangrove covered sandbanks. Dolphins, dugongs and huge sea turtles are likewise considered regular residents of the waters surrounding Sir Bani Yas.

Of particular interest is the Arabian Oryx, which only a few decades ago, teetered on the verge of extinction. Today, 400 out of a total of 2,500 known to still exist in the wild are protected here within a compound which straddles a large section of the sloping plain beneath Jebel Wahid where they are free to wander over several square kilometres of natural landscape. The herd is steadily increasing in size as a result of natural breeding within the enclosure.

The island also plays host to many migratory and resident bird species as well. Greater flamingos congregate in colourful groups among the coastal lagoons, along with numerous smaller species that enjoy the shelter of the mangroves. A man-made lake attracts a variety of ducks and waders, while enormous flocks of sea birds use the shores of Sir Bani Yas as a welcome resting place during long migratory flights.

Orchard plantations have turned this desert island into an oasis of abundance and natural beauty. Apples, oranges, pears and olives flourish here, showing how sustained effort can turn even the most inhospitable habitat into a green and productive environment.

A research project is currently underway to count and study the animals and plants on the island. When this is done, the authorities will be able to redesign the wildlife distribution, to decide whether or not to introduce new species and to control the number of animals so that a sustainable wildlife is maintained.

In order to protect the fragile eco-system, visitors are not allowed to bring their own vehicles or even bicycles. Exploring the island is only possible through guided tours, which include desert and wildlife safari and other outdoor activities that are possible through the promotions at the Desert Islands Resort and Spa.

For those wishing to escape from the bustle of the city, or those seeking the refuge of nature, Sir Bani Yas Island is the ideal weekend getaway, offering an amalgam of nature, wildlife and heritage that gives you the opportunity to discover, explore and unwind in a heaven-on-earth setting, unlike any other in the region.