I recently had the opportunity, courtesy of The Miral Destinations and Etihad Holidays, to experience a whirlwind familiarisation trip to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Over four and a half packed days I managed to see, sample and experience a surprising amount – and what follows are my honest reflections.

Many people will already have heard of Yas Marina Circuit and the iconic W Hotel that straddles the track. For motorsport fans, Yas is already firmly on the map. What I hadn’t fully appreciated until this visit is just how much broader the appeal now is – particularly for families. Yas Island offers a safe, immaculately organised and genuinely welcoming environment, with excellent hotels, high-quality food and attractions that cater to a wide range of ages and budgets. And yes, I’m going to say it – in some respects, it offers a more manageable and enjoyable alternative to Florida, especially if travelling with children.

If you’re already wondering whether this could work for your family, it’s exactly the sort of destination we’re increasingly being asked about.

Arrival and first impressions

We landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport after a comfortable six-hour overnight flight with Etihad Airways. The service and onboard experience were at least on par with their well-known neighbours in Dubai, and arrival was efficient and straightforward. From there it was straight to Yas Island, a quick bag drop and our first site inspection: the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, where we were staying.

The Hilton sits beside its own man-made beach and is close to a wide range of restaurants. It delivers a family-friendly but distinctly upmarket experience, without feeling formal or corporate. If you’re attending an event at the Etihad Arena, it’s an easy five-minute stroll, and while you can spot the circuit infrastructure from the hotel, the track itself is just far enough away not to dominate the setting.

After the flight, the relaxed atmosphere of Café del Mar beach club was very welcome – but there was no time to linger. Our first theme park visit awaited.

Ferrari World – adrenaline and heritage under one roof

Ferrari World is unapologetically bold. Even if you’re not a motorsport enthusiast, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the scale and engineering that’s gone into this park.

I’ll admit I hadn’t been on a roller coaster in many years, but the sheer speed and force of Formula Rossa certainly removed any lingering jet lag. Alongside the headline rides, there’s also a strong technical and heritage element, with exhibitions that will appeal to those more interested in the Ferrari story than white-knuckle thrills.

It’s genuinely a park that works across generations – from younger children through to adults who might prefer a slower-paced, more curated experience. And remarkably, I didn’t even have time to explore the huge e-sports complex.

If you’re travelling as a mixed-age family, this balance is something Yas Island does extremely well.

Golf, rooftops and drone-filled evenings

After a late lunch, we returned to the hotel briefly before heading out to explore another side of Yas: Yas Links Golf Course. Even viewed after dark, it was clear this is a serious course. The clubhouse is impressive, and we were treated to a rooftop terrace event overlooking a Google conference below – complete with a private drone display. Drones, it turns out, are something of a recurring theme in Abu Dhabi evenings.

As a golfer, having the chance to hit a few balls (badly) on a floodlit driving range was a highlight. The idea of a floodlit par-three course is firmly filed away for a future visit.

Warner Bros. World and a surprisingly sophisticated hotel

Day two began at Warner Bros. World, the largest indoor theme park I’ve ever visited. This is not somewhere to rush. Half a day is the bare minimum, and a full day wouldn’t feel excessive.

The park combines thrill rides, immersive environments and family-friendly attractions, with a strong sense of nostalgia for adults and instant recognition for younger visitors. Characters from multiple generations are everywhere, and it all feels exceptionally well run. For families wanting a comprehensive theme park experience without Disney branding, this would be my top recommendation on Yas.

Directly next door sits the WB Abu Dhabi Hotel, part of the Hilton group. This is very much a genuine five-star hotel in its own right, with the service standards, design quality and calm atmosphere you’d expect at this level. The film theming and character appearances are woven in thoughtfully, adding interest and charm without ever feeling overwhelming or gimmicky. It’s polished, comfortable and well judged, with excellent dining and a rooftop adults-only infinity pool that wouldn’t feel out of place in a high-end beach resort.

Certain room packages include complimentary access to all Yas theme parks, not just Warner Bros., which can make a significant difference to overall holiday value.

Climbing, skydiving and the Yas Marina hotels

The afternoon took us to CLYMB, home to one of the world’s highest indoor climbing walls and one of the largest indoor skydiving wind tunnels. It’s an impressive facility and another example of how Yas caters to both families and adrenaline seekers.

That evening we toured the Yas Marina hotel complex, which includes several well-located four-star properties. Three have recently been refurbished, with the remaining two due to follow shortly. These hotels offer excellent value, particularly when combined with half-board and the dine-around option, allowing guests to eat across the marina’s speciality restaurants. Post-refurbishment, the standard is high, making them a very solid choice for families wanting comfort, location and affordability – with the added bonus of being right beside the circuit.

Another evening, another drone show – this time linked to the upcoming Avatar release – rounded off the day.

Saadiyat Island and a genuine surprise

Day three took us off Yas Island to nearby Saadiyat Island, where we visited teamLab Phenomena — and it was a genuine highlight.

I’m usually cautious when it comes to immersive art experiences, but this completely exceeded expectations. Spanning an astonishing 17,000 square metres in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, teamLab Phenomena isn’t a static gallery — it’s a living, evolving experience where digital art, sound, light and interaction fuse to create environments that feel almost alive.

As you move through the galleries, the artworks respond to your presence. Massive installations — from floating spheres of light that pulse and change when you touch them, to cloud-like formations and mirrored environments that seem to breathe around you — constantly shift and transform. No two visits are quite the same, and part of the joy is watching how your movement and interaction subtly influence what unfolds before you.

If you’re visiting Abu Dhabi and want something truly different — an experience that lingers long after you leave — this should be high on your list

Yas Waterworld and Yas Bay evenings

The afternoon brought us back to Yas Island for Yas Waterworld. With more slides than you could reasonably tackle in a day, well-managed queues and extensive shaded areas, it’s a paradise for younger visitors. The park is themed around Emirati heritage, which gives it a strong sense of place rather than feeling like a generic water park, and there’s a good mix of high-adrenaline rides alongside gentler attractions for younger children.

We only had a short visit, but for families I’d strongly recommend allocating a full day and hiring a cabana for shade and a base. It’s also worth noting how visible and attentive staff are throughout Yas Island. Security is excellent, and everyone in our group commented on how comfortable and safe they felt at all times.

The evening ended at Siddharta Lounge in Yas Bay, a lively but relaxed area with a friendly atmosphere – lively without any of the edge you might associate with a UK city centre on a Saturday night. And yes, another drone show.

SeaWorld and Stranger Things

Day four started at SeaWorld Yas Island. This is a destination that may divide opinion, but I found it thoughtfully done and very family-focused. The park is arranged into clearly defined themed zones that take you through different marine environments, and the scale of the aquarium spaces is extraordinary, with huge tanks offering viewing points from multiple levels. The Antarctic area in particular — complete with a resident colony of penguins — is genuinely unforgettable and a real highlight for younger visitors.

There are dolphin and sea lion presentations, but overall I felt the approach was considered and respectful, with a strong emphasis on education and conservation rather than pure spectacle. Watching the reactions of younger children made it clear just how memorable this experience is for families.

Later we visited the Stranger Things experience, one of the newer attractions on Yas Island. Even as someone who isn’t an avid fan of the series, it was cleverly executed, blending walk-through sets, light interaction and live elements. It’s visually impressive throughout, building steadily towards a final sequence that is far more dramatic than you expect and genuinely catches you off guard.

A final night and a fitting farewell

Our final evening was spent at the WB Hotel rooftop before several of us headed to the iconic W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, the hotel that spans the racetrack itself.

Magnificent is the only word that fits. Even without Formula 1 in town, the atmosphere was electric, helped by the ongoing Gulf 12-hour GT race. Experiencing this hotel during an F1 weekend must be something else entirely – though probably not for the faint-hearted budget-wise.

Final thoughts on Yas Island

On departure day we stopped at the Saadiyat Rotana, a superb beachfront resort set on Saadiyat’s wide stretch of natural white sand. The rooms are spacious and well laid out, even at entry level, and the resort itself feels open and relaxed, with multiple pools, a long beach frontage and a good range of dining options. It strikes a very appealing balance: calm and resort-like, yet still close enough to Yas Island’s attractions and Abu Dhabi city for easy day trips, making it a strong option for families, couples or mixed-age groups looking for a quieter base without feeling disconnected..

So, would I recommend Yas Island?

Absolutely.

I see it working exceptionally well as:

A family holiday in its own right
A winter sun break with added experiences
A short stopover en route to longer-haul destinations

While the Formula 1 weekend will always be a headline draw, it’s as a family destination that Yas really stands out. Indoor, air-conditioned attractions, outstanding organisation, genuinely warm hospitality and an impressive range of hotels make it a compelling alternative to Florida – with far less travelling between attractions.

If Yas Island is on your radar, or if you’d like to explore whether it could work for your family, it’s exactly the sort of trip we’d be happy to help plan properly.

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi – an up-and-coming family holiday destination?