Delma Island

Delma lies off the western coast of Abu Dhabi emirate and is one of the few Gulf islands with its own fresh water, which is why it has been settled for a very long time: excavation has found a Neolithic site of the sixth millennium BC with some of the earliest evidence of date palm use in the region. Later it was a pearling centre, and three merchants' houses and the Al Muhannadi mosque survive from that period. Around ten thousand people live there now.

What you actually see

• The Neolithic site - a sixth-millennium settlement with early evidence of date cultivation.
• The pearl merchants' houses - restored houses from the diving economy.
• The Al Muhannadi mosque - one of the oldest surviving mosques in the emirate.
• The freshwater wells - the springs that made permanent settlement possible.

When to go

November to March; summer heat and humidity are severe. Ferries run daily but are weather dependent and can be cancelled. Bookings for the crossing are needed in advance.

Honest expectations

The ferry crossing takes a couple of hours each way and cancellations happen. Accommodation on the island is very limited. Archaeological sites have restricted access and little interpretation.

Nearby

Ruwais is on the mainland, and Sir Bani Yas is east.