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Al Noor Island, Sharjah

Aerial view of Al Noor Island in Khalid Lagoon with its footbridge, gardens and golden lattice pavilion
Photo: Florian Kriechbaumer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House
Hours
Daily: Saturday–Wednesday 9:00–23:00, Thursday–Friday 9:00–24:00; Butterfly House 9:00–18:00
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h 30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Island entry
AED 35, children 3–12 AED 20
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Island + Butterfly House
AED 50, children 3–12 AED 30
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Explorer Pass
AED 75 — island, Butterfly House, map and explorer kit
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Under 3
Free — child fares start at 3
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Island hours
9:00–23:00, weekends until 24:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Late days
Thursday and Friday
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Butterfly House
Daily 9:00–18:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Where to buy
Online at Discover Shurooq (card) or at the desk by the entrance
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Not allowed
Outside food and drink, glass, beachwear
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Getting there
Taxi to Al Noor Mosque on Buhairah Corniche, ≈ 10 min from the old centre, then walk the footbridge
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Address
Buhairah Corniche Road, Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Coordinates
25.33438, 55.38486YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

45,470 m²island in Khalid Lagoon — about 4.5 hectares
2 sourcesSharjah UpdateEnglish Wikipedia
December 2015opened by Sharjah’s ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi
3 sourcesGulf NewsSharjah UpdateEnglish Wikipedia
Butterfly Houseclimate-controlled pavilion under a perforated shade roof; 500–600 butterflies at opening
3 sourcesGulf News (500)Sharjah Update (up to 600)English Wikipedia
André Hellerthe Austrian artist and designer behind the island’s concept
2 sourcesSharjah UpdateAndré Heller portfolio
Shurooqthe Sharjah Investment and Development Authority built and runs the island
3 sourcesGulf NewsEnglish Wikipediaofficial Al Noor Island website
70,000+plants and trees on the island
3 sourcesSharjah UpdateSharjah24English Wikipedia
TorusDavid Harber’s mirror-polished stainless-steel ring
2 sourcesofficial Al Noor Island websiteSharjah Update
OVOegg-shaped pavilion of wood, LED light and water — the main night-time show
2 sourcesofficial Al Noor Island websiteSharjah Update
AED 80 millionreported cost of the project
2 sourcesGulf NewsEnglish Wikipedia
Literature Pavilionflower-shaped reading space with Arabic calligraphy light projections
3 sourcesSharjah UpdateGulf NewsSharjah24
Footbridgethe only way in, from Buhairah Corniche behind Al Noor Mosque — no cars on the island
3 sourcesGulf NewsSharjah24English Wikipedia

Al Noor Island tickets and prices

Island-only entry is AED 35 for adults and AED 20 for children aged 3 to 12. The Standard Pass, which adds the Butterfly House, is AED 50 (children AED 30). Child fares start at 3, so toddlers go free. These are the fares on the official island website, and Sharjah24 lists the same.

The Explorer Pass costs AED 75 for adults and children alike and adds a self-guided map and an explorer kit to the island and Butterfly House. It is aimed at kids who enjoy a treasure hunt; adults are fine with the Standard Pass.

Book online through Discover Shurooq (the “Book Now” link on the island’s website) and pay by card, or buy at the desk by the entrance. Cards work almost everywhere in the UAE, but keep a few dirhams in cash for Sharjah taxis. Reseller tickets are sometimes a little cheaper but are non-refundable.

Opening hours — and the best time to visit

The island opens every day at 9:00 and closes at 23:00 from Saturday to Wednesday, at midnight on Thursday and Friday. The Butterfly House is open 9:00–18:00 only, so the ideal plan is to arrive around 16:30: butterflies in daylight, then the light installations after sunset.

It stays open through the summer, but from June to September the midday heat is brutal even with the shade. November to April, late afternoon into evening, is the sweet spot. Ninety minutes covers everything; two hours with a coffee at Noor Café.

What is Al Noor Island?

A small garden island of about 4.5 hectares in Khalid Lagoon, right in the middle of Sharjah, reached by a footbridge behind Al Noor Mosque. Shaded woodland paths, a meadow, giant cacti, a playground, a café, art installations and the Butterfly House make up a gentle, walkable loop.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) opened it in December 2015, with a concept by the Austrian artist André Heller — which explains the slightly theatrical feel: a sculpted bridge, flower-like pavilions and artworks tucked into the greenery.

It isn’t a theme park or a museum. People come for a quiet walk surrounded by water: the mosque’s minarets on one side, the towers of Al Majaz Waterfront on the other.

How to get to Al Noor Island

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On foot

More tips

  1. From the old centre at Al Hisn Fort (Heart of Sharjah) it is about 3 km as the crow flies. Hail a taxi on Al Hisn Avenue or book one in an app — roughly 10 minutes without traffic.
  2. Ask for “Al Noor Mosque, Buhairah Corniche” — every driver knows it, and the island entrance is right behind it. Taxis run on the meter; not every car takes cards, so carry some dirhams.
  3. From Dubai by public transport: RTA buses E303 (from Union), E306 (from Al Ghubaiba) or E307 (from Deira City Centre) run to Al Jubail bus station in Sharjah. Pay with a nol card — no cash on board.
  4. From Al Jubail it is about 2 km as the crow flies to Al Noor Mosque — a short taxi ride. Walking it in the heat isn’t worth it.
  5. Cross the footbridge from the mosque to the island; there are no cars, and the ticket desk is at the entrance.
  6. Afterwards, walk south along Buhairah Corniche to Al Majaz Waterfront, the next neighbourhood along.

What to see on Al Noor Island

  • The Butterfly House — a cool, climate-controlled pavilion under a golden lattice roof, with hundreds of tropical butterflies flying free and a display of chrysalises.
  • OVO — an egg-shaped wooden pavilion over water. After dark it comes alive with a light show; this is the reason to stay past sunset.
  • Torus by David Harber — a mirror-polished steel ring that reflects the trees and you.
  • Columns by Susanne Schmögner — a row of brightly painted columns, the most colourful shot by day.
  • Flutter by Chris Wood — dichroic glass panels whose pattern traces the migration route of the painted lady butterfly.
  • The Swing by Azza Al Qubaisi by the water — steel cut with ghaf and palm leaves, honouring the wives of pearl divers.
  • The Literature Pavilion — a flower-shaped reading nook with cushions and Arabic calligraphy in light.
  • Fossilised tree trunks, rock crystal and amethyst clusters in the shady woodland — easy to walk past.

Inside the Butterfly House

This is the main draw for families: a closed, cool pavilion where butterflies fly freely, land on flowers and occasionally on visitors. At the 2015 opening it held 500–600 butterflies; the island doesn’t publish a current count. Its website profiles 13 species, including the red lacewing, great eggfly and common and great Mormons.

Don’t touch the butterflies and watch your step — they land on the path too. Entry is only with the Standard or Explorer Pass and only until 18:00; the official site lists no separate Butterfly House ticket.

Is Al Noor Island worth visiting?

Yes, if you’re travelling with kids or want a calm green evening in the city: butterflies, sculptures and the light show are worth AED 50 and an hour and a half. It works best as part of a lagoon-side afternoon with the Blue Souk and Al Majaz Waterfront.

Not as a trip on its own from Dubai: the journey often takes an hour or more each way, and the island is small. If gardens and butterflies don’t appeal, spend the time at the Museum of Islamic Civilization or Al Hisn Fort instead.

Which ticket to choose

Island onlyyou are hereAED 35AED 20NoNo9:00–23:00, weekends to 24:00
Standard PassAED 50AED 30YesNoButterflies until 18:00
Explorer PassAED 75AED 75YesYesButterflies until 18:00

Arriving before 18:00? Take the Standard Pass — the butterflies are the highlight. For an evening light-show visit, the island ticket is enough.

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Sharjah’s waterside sights compared

Every waterside place in Sharjah rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Al Majaz Waterfront401 hFree13 min walk
Al Qasba381 h 30 minFree30 min walk
Al Noor Islandyou are here341 h 30 minAED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House—
Sharjah Aquarium321 h 30 minAED 25, kids 2–12 AED 152.7 km

Khalid Lagoon in half a day

A museum, the Blue Souk, butterflies before 18:00 and the evening on Al Majaz Waterfront. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization1 h 30 min · AED 10, children 2–12 AED 5
  2. 36 min walk from the previous stopBlue Souk (Central Souq)1 h · Free entry
  3. 24 min walk from the previous stopAl Noor Islandyou are here1 h 30 min · AED 35; AED 50 with Butterfly House
  4. 13 min walk from the previous stopAl Majaz Waterfront1 h · Free

4 places · about 6 h 13 min with walks · 73 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Al Majaz Waterfront

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h · Free · 13 min walk

Blue Souk (Central Souq)

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h · Free entry · 24 min walk

Al Qasba

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

1 h 30 min · Free; boats from AED 20 · 30 min walk

How to do it right

  • Arrive around 16:30 to catch the Butterfly House before 18:00 and stay for the lights after sunset.
  • For an evening visit only, the AED 35 island ticket is enough — the butterflies have closed by then.
  • For reflections, shoot from inside the mirrored Torus; for colour, the painted columns in daylight.
  • Al Noor Mosque across the water looks its best when it is lit up in the evening.
  • Walk on to Al Majaz Waterfront afterwards for cafés and a lagoon-side stroll.
  • Coming from Dubai, avoid rush hour: the drive between the emirates can take well over an hour in the evening.

Questions

How much is Al Noor Island entry?

AED 35 for adults and AED 20 for children aged 3–12. With the Butterfly House it is AED 50 and AED 30; the Explorer Pass is AED 75.

Is the Butterfly House included in the ticket?

Only in the Standard Pass (AED 50) and the Explorer Pass (AED 75). The AED 35 island ticket doesn’t include it.

What are Al Noor Island opening hours?

Daily from 9:00 — until 23:00 Saturday to Wednesday and until midnight on Thursday and Friday. The Butterfly House is open 9:00–18:00.

How do I get to Al Noor Island from Dubai?

RTA bus E303, E306 or E307 to Al Jubail in Sharjah, then a short taxi ride to Al Noor Mosque. A taxi from Dubai goes door to door but is slow in rush hour.

Where is the entrance to Al Noor Island?

On Buhairah Corniche behind Al Noor Mosque — a footbridge leads across to the island, and the ticket desk is at the entrance.

How long do you need at Al Noor Island?

About 90 minutes, or two hours with a café stop. The island covers only around 4.5 hectares.

Is Al Noor Island good for kids?

Yes — the Butterfly House, a playground and the Explorer Pass treasure hunt. Under-3s go free.

Is Al Noor Island worth it?

Yes as part of a lagoon-side afternoon in Sharjah, especially with children. Not worth a trip from Dubai on its own — it is small.

When is the best time to visit Al Noor Island?

November to April, from late afternoon: the Butterfly House until 18:00, then the light installations after dark.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Official Al Noor Island website (Shurooq): Do, Contact us, Art & Sculpture, The Butterfly House and About pages — fares, hours, artworks, 03.11.2026
  • Sharjah24, 14.08.2024 — hours by day of the week, fares and age bands
  • Gulf News — opening of the island, Butterfly House, project cost
  • Sharjah Update, December 2015 — area, plants, designer, artworks
  • André Heller portfolio — Al Noor Island project
  • English Wikipedia: Al Noor Island; Wikidata Q30082849
  • Platinumlist, Pelago — visitor rules and private-event closures (unofficial)
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 03.11.2026 ·
How we checkedFares and hours come from the official island website and match Sharjah24. The official site says the island stays open until midnight “at weekends”, while Sharjah24 and ticket resellers name Thursday and Friday — even though Sharjah’s weekend is now Friday to Sunday — so the late days are marked “verifying”. Butterfly numbers at opening differ (Gulf News 500, Sharjah Update up to 600), so we show both. Food and dress rules and the taxi times are marked “verifying”: they come from ticket resellers or our own map estimate, not from the island. We found no report of the island closing in 2026, but advise checking its status on the day.

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