Al Noor Island Sharjah: Your Easy Guide to This Beautiful Island

Imagine walking through a place where colorful butterflies fly all around you, beautiful art sits among green gardens, and everything feels peaceful and calm. That’s Al Noor Island in Sharjah – and trust me, it’s way cooler than it sounds!

What Is Al Noor Island?

Al Noor Island is a special island sitting right in the middle of Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah. Think of it as a quiet, beautiful break from the busy city. It opened in 2015, and since then, it’s become one of the most loved places to visit in the UAE.

The island isn’t huge – it’s about 45,470 square meters – but it’s packed with amazing things to see and do. You’ll find gardens full of plants, cool art sculptures, hundreds of butterflies, and lights that make everything look magical at night.

What makes this place really special? It won awards! Big ones! Like the Best Leisure Architecture in Africa and Arabia in 2016, and design awards from Germany. Even the Butterfly House got its own award for being so beautifully designed.

Where Exactly Is Al Noor Island?

Finding Al Noor Island is super easy. It’s located on Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, right opposite the famous Al Noor Mosque. If you know where Al Majaz Waterfront is, the island is super close to that area.

Here are the distances that might help you:

• Only 2 km from Blue Souq
• About 16 km from Dubai International Airport
• Around 17 km from Sharjah International Airport

So whether you’re coming from Dubai or already in Sharjah, it’s not far at all!

How Do You Get There?

Getting to Al Noor Island is simple. You have a few options:

By Car: Drive to Buhairah Corniche Road and park near Al Noor Mosque or King Faisal Mosque. There’s parking available, though you’ll pay a small fee. From the parking, it’s just a short walk.

The Easy Way: Take the pedestrian bridge! There’s a walking bridge right behind Al Noor Mosque that leads directly to the island. You can’t drive onto the island itself – everyone walks across this bridge. It’s actually kind of nice because it makes the island feel more special and peaceful.

By Taxi: Just tell the driver “Al Noor Island” or “Al Noor Mosque” and they’ll know exactly where to go. Uber and Careem work great here too.

From Nearby: If you’re staying in areas like Al Majaz or Al Qasimia, you’re only about 10 minutes away by car. Super convenient!

When Is Al Noor Island Open?

The island is open almost all the time, which is great:

Regular Days (Saturday to Wednesday):

• Island: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Butterfly House: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Weekends (Thursday and Friday):

• Island: 9:00 AM to 12:00 midnight
• Butterfly House: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Notice the Butterfly House closes earlier than the rest of the island. So if seeing butterflies is your main goal, don’t show up at 9 PM!

How Much Does It Cost?

Let me break down the ticket prices because there are a few different options:

Standard Entry:

• Adults: AED 35
• Children (2-13 years): AED 20
• Kids under 2: Free!

This basic ticket lets you explore the whole island and walk through the Butterfly House on your own.

Junior Butterfly Keeper Experience:

• Adults: AED 50
• Children: AED 30

This is SO cool! Your kids get to spend an hour with a butterfly expert who teaches them all about how caterpillars turn into butterflies. They explain the whole life cycle – from furry caterpillar to mysterious chrysalis to beautiful butterfly. Kids absolutely love this!

Explorer Pass:

• Adults and Children: AED 75

You get a special explorer kit with a map and fun activities. It’s like a treasure hunt around the island! Great for families who want their kids to learn while exploring.

By the Bay Dining Experience:

• Standard Package: AED 180 (adults), AED 95 (kids)
• Premium Package: AED 220 (adults), AED 150 (kids)

This includes entry to the island, a guided tour, a sky-watching session where you look at stars through telescopes, AND a meal by the water with beautiful city views. Available from 9 AM to 10:30 PM daily.

Special Activities:

• Sky Watch (stargazing): AED 75
• Yoga at Sunrise (ladies only): AED 50
• Gardening workshops: AED 100-120

The Butterfly House – The Star of the Show!

Okay, this is what most people come to see, and for good reason. The Butterfly House is home to over 500 butterflies from 20 different species!

Imagine walking into this dome-shaped building where hundreds of colorful butterflies are flying all around you. Some might even land on you! The building is designed super smartly – it keeps the humidity just right and lets in natural light so the butterflies feel at home.

You’ll see species with amazing names like:

• Pink Rose butterfly
• Emerald Swallowtail
• Tailed Jay
• Peacock Flower butterfly
• Common Mormon butterfly
• Autumn Leaf butterfly

Each one has different colors and patterns. Some are tiny, some are bigger, and all of them are beautiful to watch. The plants inside provide hiding spots (butterflies love to rest on leaves) and create a mini jungle feel.

The best part? You can learn about the butterfly life cycle here. See the caterpillars, find the chrysalis hanging from branches, and watch adult butterflies emerging. It’s like a science lesson that’s actually fun!

Pro Tip: Go early in the morning when the butterflies are most active. They’re more likely to be flying around (and landing on you!) when it’s not too hot.

The Amazing Art All Over the Island

Al Noor Island isn’t just about nature – it’s also full of incredible art! As you walk around, you’ll find six different art installations created by famous artists:

The Torus: This shiny, mirror-like sculpture by David Harber reflects everything around it. Take photos here – they turn out amazing!

Flutter: Created by Chris Wood, this artwork uses zigzagging, colorful lines to show the paths butterflies take when they migrate. It’s educational and pretty!

The OVO: This is the big egg-shaped sculpture you’ll see pictures of everywhere. At night, it lights up with different colors and displays that combine music, water, and light. It represents rebirth and new beginnings. Honestly, it looks even more magical after dark.

There are also huge crystal rocks (300 million years old!), amethyst stones, and other sculptures scattered around. Each piece blends so naturally with the gardens that you almost feel like you’re in an outdoor art museum.

The Gardens and Plants

Walking through Al Noor Island feels like stepping into a green paradise. There are over 70,000 plants and 7,000 trees! You’ll see:

Really Old Trees: Some olive trees here are 250 years old! They’ve been around longer than most countries.

Unique Shapes: Bottle trees, umbrella-shaped trees that give nice shade, and towering cactus that look like they’re straight out of a desert movie.

Medicinal Plants: Lots of plants that have healing properties. There are little signs explaining what they’re used for.

Ornamental Grass: These aren’t just regular grass – they have beautiful colors and textures that make the gardens look designed (because they are!).

Wild Grass Meadows: Some areas are left more natural with wild grasses where birds like to hang out.

A 3.5 km boardwalk (that’s a wooden walking path) winds through all these gardens. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll. Evening joggers love coming here too because it’s so scenic and peaceful.

The Literature Pavilion – A Quiet Corner

Need a break from walking? The Literature Pavilion is your spot. It’s this peaceful area with comfortable seating where you can sit, read a book, or just relax.

There’s soft music playing in the background, soothing sounds of a fountain, and you’re surrounded by greenery. Some people bring books. Others just sit and think. Parents sometimes rest here while their kids play nearby in the wooded playground.

It’s shaded by trees, so even on hot days, it feels comfortable. If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed by crowds or noise, this corner of the island will feel like a little sanctuary.

The Playground for Kids

Parents, listen up! There’s a great playground for children with rope climbing structures, all set among trees. It’s not your typical plastic playground – it’s more natural-looking and blends with the island’s nature theme.

There are shaded seating areas nearby so parents can watch their kids play while staying comfortable. The whole area is safe, clean, and designed to let kids burn off energy while still being surrounded by nature.

Noor Cafe – When You Get Hungry

All that walking makes you hungry, right? Noor Cafe is located on the island and serves fresh, homemade food and drinks.

The menu has:

• Breakfast options
• Lunch items
• Snacks and light bites
• Hot and cold drinks
• Afternoon tea
• Evening refreshments

Everything is freshly made right there. You can sit indoors with air conditioning or outside enjoying the lagoon views and breeze. The cafe overlooks the water, so you get beautiful views of Sharjah’s cityscape while you eat.

Important: You can’t bring outside food or drinks onto the island. But honestly, the cafe has good options at reasonable prices, so it’s not a problem.

Special Activities You Can Do

Stargazing (Sky Watch)

On clear nights, you can use powerful telescopes to look at stars, planets, and the moon! An astronomy expert guides you, showing you constellations and explaining what you’re seeing. It’s included in some ticket packages or available separately for AED 75.

Kids especially love this. When was the last time you actually looked at stars through a real telescope?

Yoga at Sunrise

Every second Saturday of the month, there are yoga classes for ladies only. It happens from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM in a tree-shaded area near the Butterfly House. Imagine starting your day with yoga while butterflies flutter nearby and birds sing. It costs AED 50 and you need to book ahead.

Gardening Workshops

Want to learn about plants? Al Noor Island offers workshops where you can learn gardening skills, plant care, and even techniques like the Japanese art of Kokedama (growing plants in moss balls).

Options include:

• Young Gardener (for kids): AED 100
• Introduction to Indoor Plants: AED 120
• Germination from Seed to Plant: AED 120
• Grow Your Own Tea Garden Herbs: AED 120

These are hands-on, two-hour workshops where you actually DO things, not just listen to someone talk.

Summer Programs for Kids

From July to September, Al Noor Island runs special weekend programs for children with arts and crafts, nature activities, and creative workshops. All supervised by the education team with materials provided. Each activity has a different fee.

It’s a great way to keep kids entertained during school holidays while they’re actually learning and creating things.

The Magic of Lights at Night

Here’s a secret: Al Noor Island transforms after sunset! As darkness falls, hundreds of lights turn on, illuminating the pathways, gardens, and art installations.

The whole island glows. The OVO sculpture puts on light shows with music. The trees are lit from below. The boardwalk has lights guiding your path. It creates this magical, almost fairytale atmosphere.

Many people say the island is even more beautiful at night than during the day. If you can, visit in the late afternoon and stay until after dark so you see both versions!

Best Time to Visit Al Noor Island

Time of Day:

• Morning (9 AM – 11 AM): Fewer crowds, cooler weather, butterflies are active
• Late Afternoon (4 PM – 7 PM): Beautiful sunset, lights start coming on
• Evening (after 7 PM): Magical lighting, cooler temperatures, romantic atmosphere

Time of Year:

• Best Months: October through April when the weather is cooler
• Summer (May-September): It’s hot! But mornings and evenings are still nice, and weekday crowds are smaller

Day of Week:

• Weekdays: Less crowded, more peaceful
• Weekends: Busier but more activities and events happening

How Long Should You Spend There?

Most people spend 2-3 hours on Al Noor Island. But it really depends on what you want to do:

• Quick visit (just Butterfly House and main sights): 1-2 hours
• Relaxed exploration: 2-3 hours
• With dining and activities: 3-4 hours
• With stargazing at night: Plan for a full evening

There’s no rush. The island is designed for you to slow down and enjoy, not race through checking things off a list.

Important Things to Know Before You Go

What to Wear:

• Comfortable, casual clothing
• No beachwear allowed
• Modest clothing is appreciated (shoulders and knees covered)
• Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be walking on boardwalks and paths)
• Hat and sunglasses for daytime visits

What to Bring:

• Sunscreen (even in winter!)
• Camera or phone for photos
• Water bottle (you can refill at cafe)
• Cash or card for parking and cafe

What NOT to Bring:

• Outside food or drinks (not allowed)
• Glassware
• Alcohol
• Pets (except service animals)

Other Good-to-Know Stuff:

• The island is wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all ages including pregnant women
• Bring your ID (sometimes checked)
• Book tickets online in advance (often cheaper)
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before visit on some booking sites

Perfect for These Groups

Families: Kids love the butterflies and playground. Parents love that it’s educational and safe. The mix of nature and art keeps everyone entertained.

Couples: Super romantic spot, especially at night with the lights. Great for dates or quiet time together.

Photographers: Whether you’re professional or just love Instagram, this place is a goldmine. The butterflies, art, gardens, and lighting give you endless photo opportunities.

Nature Lovers: If you’re tired of shopping malls and concrete, this green oasis is your happy place.

Solo Visitors: Come read at the Literature Pavilion, take photos, or just enjoy peaceful time alone. Plenty of others visit solo – it’s not awkward at all.

School Groups: Educational and fun. Can arrange group rates and guided tours.

Things to Do Nearby

Combine your Al Noor Island visit with other nearby Sharjah attractions:

Al Majaz Waterfront: Right next to the island! Has a fountain show, restaurants, and a long walking path.

Blue Souq: Traditional market about 2 km away. Great for shopping and experiencing old Sharjah.

Al Qasba: Entertainment area with restaurants, cafes, and the Eye of the Emirates (Ferris wheel).

Sharjah Aquarium: About 4 km away. Good if you’re doing a marine life theme day.

Al Noor Mosque: Right beside the bridge to the island. One of the few mosques in UAE open to non-Muslims for tours (check timings).

You could easily make a full day exploring this part of Sharjah!

Private Events at Al Noor Island

Want to host something special here? You can book the entire island for private events! Weddings, engagements, birthdays, corporate gatherings – they’ve hosted all of these.

Pricing starts from AED 12,600 (without catering). With catering and full arrangements, it costs more but includes setup, coordination, and exclusive use of the island.

Imagine having your wedding photos taken among butterflies and glowing art! Contact them directly for details: +971-6-506-7000 or +971-56-992-9983.

Tips from People Who’ve Been There

Here’s what visitors recommend:

“Go Early, Stay Late” – Start in the morning when butterflies are active, leave before it gets too hot, then come back in evening for the lights.

“Book the Junior Butterfly Keeper” – Parents say their kids talked about this experience for weeks. Worth the extra money.

“Bring Your Camera” – You’ll want photos, especially at the OVO sculpture at night.

“Don’t Rush” – It’s not a place to speed through. Sit, relax, enjoy. That’s the whole point.

“Visit on Weekdays if Possible” – Less crowded, more peaceful, easier to enjoy.

“The Cafe Food is Actually Good” – Not just theme park junk food. Fresh, tasty options.

Contact Information

Need more details? Here’s how to reach them:

Phone: +971-6-506-7000 or +971-56-992-9983
Website: alnoorisland.ae
Address: Khalid Lagoon, Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah, UAE

You can also find them on social media for latest updates, events, and beautiful photos that might convince you to visit!

Final Thoughts

Al Noor Island isn’t just another tourist spot. It’s a place where you actually feel different when you leave – calmer, happier, more relaxed. In a region full of skyscrapers and shopping malls, this little island reminds you that sometimes the best experiences are simple: butterflies, gardens, art, and peace.

Whether you spend an hour or an afternoon, whether you come for butterflies or art or just to escape the city noise for a bit, Al Noor Island delivers. It’s beautiful without being overwhelming, educational without being boring, and peaceful without being dull.

So next time someone asks “What should I do in Sharjah?” – tell them about this island. It’s one of those places that surprises people. They expect it to be nice, and it ends up being something they actually remember and talk about later.

Go visit. Walk slowly. Watch the butterflies. Take some photos. Sit in the Literature Pavilion for a bit. Stay for the lights.

Trust me, you’ll leave feeling glad you went.

Quick Summary:

Location: Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah (behind Al Noor Mosque)
Tickets: Adults AED 35, Kids AED 20 (basic entry)
Hours: 9 AM – 11 PM (weekdays), 9 AM – midnight (weekends)
Best For: Families, couples, nature lovers, photographers
Don’t Miss: Butterfly House, OVO sculpture at night, boardwalk gardens
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Best Season: October to April
Book Online: alnoorisland.ae or through Dubai City Tourism

Have fun exploring!