SharjahThinking about visiting Al Noor Island? Beautifully landscaped island on the Khalid Lagoon with butterfly house, art installations, walking paths and rare nighttime illuminations. This guide covers what it costs, opening hours, the best months to go and practical tips.
At a glance
- Entry
- AED 10 Adult / AED 5 Child
- Opening hours
- Sun–Thu 9AM–10PM. Fri–Sat 9AM–11PM
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Best time
- November to March
- Location
- Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah
What to expect at Al Noor Island
Al Noor Island is one of Sharjah's most enchanting destinations, a beautifully landscaped small island in the Khalid Lagoon accessible via a footbridge, combining a tropical butterfly house, large-scale art installations, sculptural gardens and an rare nighttime illumination programme in a setting of real natural beauty. At AED 10 for adults, it offers outstanding value for a beautiful and distinctive leisure experience.
The Butterfly House
The island's Butterfly House is a large tropical greenhouse housing thousands of live butterflies from dozens of species, a warm, humid, plant-filled environment where butterflies land on visitors' hands and shoulders, feed at flower stations throughout the enclosure and display their rare variety of wing patterns at close range. Moreover, the butterfly population includes species from across the tropical world, some with wing spans exceeding 15 centimetres. In fact, the house is carefully maintained at tropical temperature and humidity levels. Also, the plant collection supporting the butterfly population is itself beautifully curated. Children find it completely magical.
Art Installations and Sculpture Garden
Al Noor Island's outdoor spaces are populated with large-scale art installations and sculptures, some interactive, some purely visual, positioned throughout the gardens and along the waterfront promenade. The island takes its art programme seriously, commissioning works that relate meaningfully to the island's natural setting rather than simply using outdoor sculpture as decoration. Walking through the island and encountering each work in its landscape context creates a enjoyable art-in-nature experience.
The Night Illuminations
It after dark is one of Sharjah's most beautiful free experiences. The entire island is illuminated with a system of changing LED lighting that transforms the garden trees, the pathways and the waterfront into a magical landscape of colour and light. Also, the illuminations begin at dusk and continue throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere that the daytime visit cannot replicate. In addition, the reflection of the island's illuminations in the Khalid Lagoon, visible from both sides of the water, makes it a beautiful nocturnal landmark.
The Waterfront Setting
In addition, the island's position in the Khalid Lagoon provides excellent views across the water toward the Sharjah cityscape, the Corniche waterfront buildings and, in clear conditions, the distant blue of the Arabian Gulf. Generally, the promenade walk around the island's perimeter, about 20 minutes at a comfortable pace, provides constantly changing water views and a pleasant outdoor walking circuit that can be enjoyed at any time of day or evening.
Al Noor Island tickets and prices
Here is what a visit to it costs. Prices are per person unless noted. Because they change with the season, treat them as a guide.
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (3–12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Entry | AED 10 | AED 5 | Includes butterfly house + island |
| Family (2+2) | AED 30 | – | Two adults and two children |
| Annual Pass | AED 100 | AED 60 | Unlimited visits |
Al Noor Island opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday – Saturday | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Butterfly House | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily |
Hours shift on public holidays and during Ramadan. Check the official website on the day you go.
Best time to visit Al Noor Island
The best time to visit it is November to March. April and October also work well if your dates are fixed. If you can, avoid June to August because of the summer heat.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestGoodFairAvoid
Tips for visiting Al Noor Island
These tips make a visit to it easier, especially if it is your first time.
Butterfly House in the Morning
Butterflies are most active in the warm morning hours before noon, the best time to see them flying freely and landing on visitors.
Evening for Illuminations
Visit in the late afternoon and stay for the illuminations. The transition from natural sunset light to the island's artificial illumination is beautiful.
Lagoon Reflection at Night
The island's illuminations reflected in the still Khalid Lagoon at night produce rare photographs, position yourself on the Corniche opposite for the best shots.
Children's Butterfly Encounter
Children under 10 find the butterfly house completely magical, wear bright colours as butterflies are more attracted to vivid clothing.
Perimeter Walk
The 20-minute walk around the island's perimeter provides the best views across the Khalid Lagoon, allow time for this as well as the butterfly house and art installations.
Evening Package
Combine it with Al Qasba for a perfect Sharjah evening, butterfly house and island walk first, then canal dinner at Al Qasba 15 minutes away.
Where to stay near Al Noor Island
If you want to stay close to it, start with these hotels. Rates are rough nightly guides, so check before you book.
Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa
AED 780 / night from
Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah
AED 650 / night from
Holiday Inn Sharjah
AED 380 / night from
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah
AED 420 / night from
Centro Sharjah by Rotana
AED 300 / night from
ibis Sharjah
AED 220 / night from
Al Noor Island: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Al Noor Island?
Prices for it start from AED 10 Adult / AED 5 Child. Adult Entry: AED 10; Family (2+2): AED 30; Annual Pass: AED 100. Also, booking online is usually cheaper than paying at the gate.
What are the opening hours of Al Noor Island?
It is open sun–Thu 9AM–10PM. Fri–Sat 9AM–11PM. Hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays, so check before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Al Noor Island?
The best time to visit it is November to March. April and October also work well if your dates are fixed. If you can, avoid June to August because of the summer heat.
How long do you need at Al Noor Island?
Plan on 1.5–2.5 hours for it. Also, add a little extra if you want photos at quieter times.
How do you get to Al Noor Island?
30 min by car. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest option if you are short on time.
Updated October 2026. Prices and opening hours change, so check the official website or the official UAE tourism site before you travel. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.
Photos: SHARON VISHAKHAM / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; SHARON VISHAKHAM / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; SHARON VISHAKHAM / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; SHARON VISHAKHAM / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
