Dalma (island)

Dalma (IATA: ZDY) is an Emirati island located in the Persian Gulf approximately 42 kilometres (26 mi) off the coast of Abu Dhabi and 116 kilometres (72 mi) from Doha. The Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey ADIAS carried out an initial archaeological survey of Dalma island in 1992. A total of more than 20 archaeological sites were identified on the island, ranging in time from the Neolithic (Late Stone Age). The population consists of about 10,000 inhabitants, most of whom are Arabs and Qatari who have been granted United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationality. The island has many private farms for the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. The late ruler Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed al-Nahyan had a palace here. There are many oil field workers working on the island, some of them who fly in from the offices in the major cities.

The island is served by the Dalma Airport and since recent times, by the mainland ferry.