What's a dream vacation for you? If it's sun, sea, sand, and luxury, there's a perfect vacation destination for you.

It's Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, and it's because of Saadiyat Beach, which is probably the best beach in Abu Dhabi. At the very least, it's up there at the top of the list of Abu Dhabi's best beaches.

Saadiyat Beach is on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi. Saadiyat Island is one of the natural islands in Abu Dhabi. You can reach it via Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hwy (E12) from Abu Dhabi City (which is itself an island off the Abu Dhabi Emirate mainland) or from Al Jubail Island, which is connected to the mainland via Fahid Island and Yas Island.

Saadiyat Beach is approximately nine kilometres long, found on the Saadiyat Island coast that borders the 59 square kilometres of marine waters that comprise Saadiyat Marine National Park, one of the marine protected areas of Abu Dhabi.

It's little wonder that Saadiyat Beach is stunningly clean, pristine and well-maintained – a blue-flag certified beach. Endangered hawksbill turtles regularly nest on Saadiyat Beach. In fact, the Island encourages its guests to stay on designated beach pathways to ensure they don't inadvertently step on and damage the turtles' nests.

You can swim or spend the day just lounging around on the beach to watch for Indian Ocean humpback and bottlenose dolphins. Stay until sundown and enjoy Saadiyat Island's spectacular sunset.

There are two popular swimming and lounging spots on the northwest-facing coast of Saadiyat Island. They are Soul Beach and Kai Beach.

Soul Beach is a beautiful, pay-to-enter,one-kilometre white-sand beach on the western end of Saadiyat Island. It is the stretch of coast around which has grown the entire lifestyle and dining destination of Mamsha Al Saadiyat. Just off the Beach is a beachfront promenade, home to many of the district's finest eats, including:

      Wake N Bake

      Café Artea

      Ting Irie

      NIRI Restaurant & Bar

      Society

      LOCAL Café

      Alkalime

      Antonia

      Beirut Sur Mer

      Black Tap

      Coffee Architecture

      Ethr

      Pickl

      Raclette Brasserie & Café

      TEN 11 Beach

      Valgerand Nordic Grill

Kai Beach is also a pay-to-enter beach. Located farther east, beyond Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, it's half the length of Soul Beach, but the powder-fine sand is outstanding. The Beach opens at 7 a.m., and guests get access to sun loungers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kai Beach has a restaurant on site. It serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads, platters, poke bowls, pizza, pasta, and desserts (including ice cream). The range of drinks includes cocktails, mocktails, shooters, wines, spirits, juices, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Like Soul Beach, Kai Beach has shower and toilet facilities for guests' convenience.

For elevated beach and dining experiences, you can get a day pass to one of the Island's beach clubs. Beach clubs offer not only sun, sand and sea but also swimming pools, cabanas and exclusive dining options.

Saadiyat Beach Club is a 39,500 sqm upscale lifestyle destination on Saadiyat Island. This is a members-only club, but you can get access with a day pass to enjoy the Club's beach, stunning infinity pool, shower and changing facilities, spa, barbershop, gym, restaurants, and even dining packages (e.g., brunches).

Saadiyat Beach Club has a pristine beachfront, home to nesting hawksbill turtles. You can swim in the Gulf, lounge on the beach, and just spend some time watching the marine mammals that come to visit.

If you feel like a change, you can swim in the infinity pool or just rest in your private cabana. Order some food from Safina or La Salle, and spend the day chatting and relaxing with family, friends and new acquaintances.

The Club opens at 8 a.m., and guests can stay at the beach and the swimming pool until sunset. Sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas may come with extra charges and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

SAL Pool and Beach Club is a Saadiyat Island newcomer, introduced by Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort.

About Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort

There are five luxury hotels to stay at Saadiyat Island. They are the following:

      St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

      Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas

      Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

      Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas

      Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort

Among these five, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort is the easternmost, east of Saadiyat Beach Club, and located on the more secluded and protected area of the Saadiyat Island Arabian Gulf coast. Its location means it has one of the best vantage points for enjoying Saadiyat Island sunsets. Even better, Jumeirah now has a beach club: SAL Pool and Beach Club.

About SAL Pool and Beach Club

SAL Pool and Beach Club is an adults-only beach club that is best for couples. Spend a romantic time together, walking hand-in-hand on the beautiful beach and maybe enjoying the fiery sunset. To set the mood for your romantic date, the Club provides chill beats from the DJ or soul-stirring saxophone music.

Spend the day in the sea or the swimming pool, lounge on the beach or poolside, and enjoy sumptuous bites with mocktails, cocktails, and other drinks. You can enter the Club by paying for a sunbed, round bed, or cabana, with part of the fee for each option redeemable for food and drinks. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort in-house guests may enter the Club for a minimal, access-only fee (i.e., no cabana, sunbed, or round bed included).

The Best of the Beach

If you want the best of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi, come to Saadiyat Island. Saadiyat Island is a leisure destination designed for luxurious rest and relaxation, centred around an unblemished nine-kilometre stretch of blue-flag-certified coastline off the Arabian Gulf.

While there, you can enjoy the sun, sea and sand on Kai Beach and Soul Beach. You can also get a day pass to Saadiyat Beach Club or SAL Pool and Beach Club. Whichever you choose to do, make sure to stay until sundown for the spectacular Saadiyat Island sunset.