When NYUAD's permanent campus opens in 2014, students, faculty, and staff will be just minutes from Saadiyat Island's first public beach, which has opened just in time for beachgoers to take advantage of Abu Dhabi's comfortable spring temperatures.

The beach, a 400-meter stretch of white sand and turquoise water, has amenities including lounge chairs, umbrellas, towels, and changing rooms.

Bordered by protected natural dunes, the beach will soon feature a snack lounge and a store selling beachwear and sports equipment and, according to the Tourism Development and Investment Company, water sports such as windsurfing and sailing will be introduced later this year.

New hangout for Abu Dhabi beachgoers as Saadiyat opens first public beach (The National)