Five things to do in Amwaj Islands
A manmade set of six themed islands Tala, Najmah, Asdaf, Murjan, Jood and Lulu in the north eastern part of Bahrain, Amwaj Islands is a destination in itself offering varied experiences amidst its azure waters and lagoons making for a pretty sight in the Persian Gulf. And if you are in Amwaj Islands, here are a list of top 5 things that you must do to make the most of the destination.
Enjoy the Marina
The Boating International Sea Services was started in 2013 and is the only recognized RYA training centre in Bahrain that gives powerboat certification. The beach club here and the Amwaj Marina is the place to head to for some fishing, kayaking, windsurfing and more. You can hire a boat and enjoy the beauty of the waters too. This is where you will see some of the fanciest home addresses too.
Watersports
With its crystal clear waters and winds Amwaj Islands is the best place for kite and windsurfers, traditional board surfers and wake boarder. Jump into a canoe or kayak or take a boat to go fishing or enjoy a picnic on the waters. Incidentally many of the homes here have their own private swimming pools and also own their own jetty’s.
Azizia Bird Kingdom
If you love birds, the Azizia Bird Kingdom owned by Bahraini businessman Abdulaziz Jassim Kanoo, has over 70 species of 500 birds housed in a controlled ecosystem. This is where you can also spot some critically endangered species as well. So whether it is African grey parrots, Bolivian macaws; Red-vented cockatoo; Moloccan, Sulphur-crested cockatoos, Java peacocks, Toucans, California quails or the biggest pigeon species this is the place to see birds from across the world. Interestingly there is a lot of reading material on the natural habitat of the birds here. The island has the world’s largest colony of Socotra cormorants as well and you can see pied kingfishers, chaffinches, white-cheeked terns and sooty falcons here.
Enjoy Nature
If you love the outdoors, the abundance of natural vistas at Amwaj Islands is something that will appeal to you. The beautiful landscapes have many walkways and cycle tracks for the health enthusiasts. Since the traffic is less here, it is the best way to spend your day amidst landscaped vistas, parks and beaches while you soak into the sights and sounds of nature.
The Lagoon
At the heart of Amwaj Islands is the Lagoon complex dotted with cafés, restaurants, shops, and more. You can also hire bikes and trikes for a fun family spin. This kilometre long space is best to shop, eat and also enjoy a relaxing spa massage too. The space is always abuzz with activity and is the best way to socialize and have a fun evening with friends and family. The space is home to an eclectic market over one of the weekends each month. Do sample some of the gourmet offerings that include traditional Arabic, Lebanese, Indian, Thai and more.
This story first appeared in Gulflife Magazine here.