In Pictures: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed tours Al Hudayriat Recreational Project set to open in November

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today toured Al Hudayriat Recreational Project, a waterfront community on the 3,000-hectare Hudayriat Island, south-west of the Abu Dhabi main island, and directed to open the development for public over the coming 30 days. During the visit, Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance; Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and Abdulla Al Sahi.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces inspects Al Hudayriyat Mar Vista project, at Al Hudayriyat Island. "We visited Al Hudayriat Project, an important addition to Abu Dhabi's entertainment and tourism sector. We aim to develop inclusive and unique projects, which encourage a healthier lifestyle for the whole community," His Highness tweeted. During the tour, Sheikh Mohamed was shown around the facilities of the key entertainment project, which is being carried out by Modon Properties, a subsidiary of ADQ that specialises in developing vibrant and sustainable residential, in collaboration with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi.

The Hudayriat Recreational Project is the second such leisure destination after the Jubail Mangrove Park announced late last year by Modon properties as part of a series of entertainment schemes aimed at representing a shift in the leisure offerings within the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohammed during the tour underlined Abu Dhabi's determination to develop inclusive and unique environmental projects and increase green spaces across the emirate in a way that ensures a healthier lifestyle for Abu Dhabi community, boosts social bonds, attracts visitors and tourists and turns the emirate into a haven for ecotourism.

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince was shown around 10 leisure facilities as part of the project, including the 'Stars Gate' which provides a unique destination for camping; '321 Sports Village', which encompasses sports playgrounds and jogging and cycling tracks; 'Challenge Village'; and 'Hudayriat Heritage Walk' which extends along the waterfront and provides the visitors with a cultural background of the island and the history of pearl diving in the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces inspects Al Hudayriyat Mar Vista project, at Al Hudayriyat Island. Seen with Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member.

The tour also covered the project's 'Marsana', which represents the waterfront marine located in the heart of the project and includes a lineup of restaurants, an ice rink, and a kids waterpark.

Sheikh Mohammed directed to provide a six-month rent exemption for owners of mobile food caravans in the island as well as the shop owners in the 'Marsana'. "Al Hudayriat project and other similar developments represent a qualitative addition that reinforces Abu Dhabi's status on the global tourist map," Sheikh Mohammed said, noting the importance of continuing to introduce such projects in convenient locations that are easy to reach for the public, while fulfilling the divergent needs of the society.

For his part, Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport, said, "In line with the directives of our wise leadership, we take pride in contributing to introducing this valuable addition to Abu Dhabi's tourist and leisure offerings. We will continue at the Department to provide a sustainable environment for the future."

Hudayriat Island is located off the south west coast of Abu Dhabi Island and encompasses a lineup of cultural and ecological destinations in addition to residential properties, commercial spaces and leisure facilities.

For his part, Abdulla Al Sahi, the Chairman of Modon Properties, said "The visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Hudayriat Project re-affirms our wise leadership's determination to continue to develop leisure and tourist destinations in line with the future plans of the emirate of Abu Dhabi that are aimed at enhancing lifestyle and supporting the tourism sector in a way that ensures the emirate will be a preferred destination for visitors from various parts of the world."

General view of Al Hudayriyat Mar Vista project, at Al Hudayriyat Island.

An island in Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming known as a must-visit leisure destination.