Dubai has impressive skyscrapers that offer endless leisure activities. These tall buildings may have everything you want and need, but there’s nothing like spending your rest day at the beach. Get away from the busy city for a while, and unwind under the sun. Plan your next beach vacation in some of the best beaches in Dubai with this guide.
Things to Know Before Planning A Beach Vacation in Dubai
If you plan to have your first beach vacation in Dubai but are overwhelmed with the options and information you see online, we compiled everything you need to know before you go swimming.
What Kind of Beaches Dubai Offers?
Dubai offers different kinds of beaches to residents and tourists. On your hunt for the best beaches in Dubai, you’ll mostly find luxury resorts, white sand beaches, and public beaches in the city. Public beaches are not ordinary beaches in Dubai. They are well-maintained, and some of them offer the finest white sand and VIP services.
Who Can Visit Beaches in Dubai
With children, pregnant women, people of determination, and elderly people in mind, there are typically no entry restrictions on beaches in Dubai. However, it still depends on the policy of the management regarding safety.
Public beaches are more lenient when it comes to entry restrictions. Still, parents or guardians are responsible for the safety of their children or other members of their groups. It’s best to visit family-friendly beaches in Dubai if you have children with you.
Are Beaches in Dubai Safe and Regulated
Beaches in Dubai, even approved public beaches, are safe and regulated. Safety and security in huge places such as this, however, is still a two-way process. Both the management and visitors must follow safety regulations.
Only swim at recognized or approved beaches across the city, especially if you have children. If you opt to go to a public beach in Dubai, check carefully if it is recognized by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) or by the local authorities.
COVID-19 Restrictions
Beaches, pools, resorts, and waterparks in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Business operators are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among guests, sanitize public locations, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments. They may also provide new working hours based on local curfews and protocols.
Visitors, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Visitors should wear face masks in public areas outside the beach, avoid physical contact among other visitors and staff, stay at least six feet away from other swimmers, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
All these COVID-19 protocols are still subject to change daily, weekly, or monthly. The local and the national government could release amended safety protocols in the future as the pandemic progresses and new solutions arise.
When is the Best Time to Go to a Dubai Beach
Given the weather and temperature in Dubai, you can swim all year round in beaches and pools. However, be mindful of the sea temperature on the day of your visit. Winter in Dubai starts in October and ends in April. In January, the sea temperature may cool down a little, an average of 20°C. In the summer, the temperature often goes beyond 30°C.
How Long Should You Stay in a Dubai Beach
Two to three days or a weekend trip is enough to unwind in your chosen Dubai beach. You’ll have to book accommodation for this option. Alternatively, you can also plan a half-day stay and rent cottages or umbrellas if you just want to take a quick swim.
Where are the Best Beaches in Dubai Located?
The best beaches in Dubai are strategically located in the most popular neighborhoods and districts in the city. Some of them even overlook popular city landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab. To plan your trip based on your preferred location and mode of transportation, here are the best neighborhoods where you can find some of the best beaches in Dubai:
Jumeirah
Jumeirah is a coastal residential neighborhood in the city. It is home to many private and free-access beaches in Dubai and a few private resorts with pools and waterparks.
Al Mamzar
Al Mamzar is a small locality located in Deira, the main commercial center of Dubai after the city’s establishment. The Persian Gulf borders Al Mamzar to the north, so it offers wonderful beaches.
Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali is a port town and free-trade zone in Dubai. It’s the world’s 9th busiest port. Aside from being a commercial district for the trade industry, Jebel Ali also houses a handful of private and public beaches and other leisure venues.
Preparations and Booking Procedures
Now that you know the latest travel restrictions and implicit and explicit beach rules in Dubai, let’s head to the actual preparations and booking procedures for the activity while getting to know some of the best beaches in Dubai.
How to Get to the Best Beaches in Dubai
Getting around the city and its coastal areas is fairly easy. The beaches are also popular landmarks themselves, so you can easily reach them through public or private transportation. Here’s a guide to get to the most prominent neighborhoods housing beaches in Dubai:
How to Get to Jumeirah
Jumeirah is located on the Persian Gulf coast of Dubai. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach Jumeirah approximately 15 minutes through Al Ain – Dubai Road/E66 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Jumeirah and its surrounding areas. Take buses 8, C10, X28, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at the World Trade Centre Metro Station. From there, you can walk or hire a cab to reach Jumeirah Center.
How to Get to Al Mamzar
Al Mamzar is just in the heart of the city, inside Deira. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach Al Mamzar approximately 15 minutes through Abu Baker Al Siddique Rd and Al Khaleej Rd/D92 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Al Mamzar and its surrounding areas. Take buses C9 or E303A, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Green Line and alight at the Al Qiyadah Metro Station. From there, you can take a 7-minute walk to reach Al Mamzar.
How to Get to Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali is located southwest of the city. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the port approximately 40 minutes through Al Khail Rd/E44 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can directly take you to Al Mamzar and its surrounding areas. Take buses 91, 91A, or F54, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at the Danube Metro Station. From there, you can take a cab to reach the port.
What are the Things Beachgoers and Tourists Need to Prepare?
Assuming this isn’t your first time going to the beach, you probably have an idea of all the beach essentials you need to bring. But as a first-time beachgoer in Dubai, let us remind you with the rules and essentials you need to keep in mind.
<h4>Clothing
Bikinis and swimming trunks are allowed on public and private beaches in Dubai, so you can temporarily be free from the UAE’s general rule for public dressing. Still, bring modest clothing if you plan to roam around the nearby neighborhoods and establishments.
Food and Drinks
Most private beaches in Dubai don’t allow entry of outside food and beverages. They have in-house and third-party restaurants and cafes in the beach area. However, you don’t have to worry about bringing your own food and drinks to a public beach in Dubai.
Documents
If you’re visiting a private beach, don’t forget your booking confirmation and accommodation. Staff at the site needs to cross-check your booking and identification. If you’re going to a public beach in Dubai, don’t forget to bring your proof of identification or passport.
Essentials
Don’t forget all your beach essentials, such as beach bags, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cover-ups. Check the availability of towels on your booking to know if you still need to bring one.
Is Pre-Booking Necessary?
Public beaches don’t need a reservation unless you plan to stay in a hotel or any type of accommodation. If you plan to stay for two or more days on a private beach, however, it’s best to book your stay days before.
What are the Best Beaches in Dubai
Due to Dubai’s weather, the city houses many natural beaches—most of them white sand. But the tourism industry goes beyond appreciating what mother nature can offer. Dubai also took the liberty to design and introduce man-made beaches and islands.
With the overwhelming options at your table, here are the best beaches in Dubai based on locals and tourists’ recommendations:
Sunset Beach
Umm Suqeim, more popularly known as Sunset Beach, is a public beach in Dubai, near the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It is one of the best locations to bathe in the sun, view the Burj Al Arab in all its glory, and wait for the sunset across the Arabian Gulf.
Sunset Beach offers exciting water sports activities, such as surfing, fishing, and kite surfing, even as a public beach. If you go hungry from swimming or trying out these activities, you can dine at the nearest restaurants on the beach. Visitors recommend eating at Umm Suqeim Park’s restaurants.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 24 hours
Location: 22, Al Sagi Street, Sunset Beach, Umm Suqeim – Dubai
Nikki Beach Dubai
Nikki Beach Dubai is the first and original luxury beach club concept in the UAE. The beach and the in-house resort of the company offer 5-star accommodation and facilities. It has private pools and decks, restaurants and lounges, and relaxation and fitness facilities.
Visitors at Nikki Beach Dubai recommend trying water sports activities like jet ski, parasailing, and canoeing. For other leisure activities, you can unwind or try some physical activities at Nikki Spa and Tone Gym. The beach club also has its own restaurants and cafes to cater to your hungry stomachs, such as Café Nikki and Key West.
Entry Fee: 200 AED (54.45 USD) to 300 AED (81.67 USD) (pool and beach access only)
Timing: 24 hours
Location: Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
JBR Beach
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JRB) has a white beach in Dubai that offers accessible leisure facilities and services. The Beach opposite JBR is a family-friendly beach standing in a bustling cosmopolitan area, so there are shoreline hotels, malls, restaurants, and various entertainment venues near the area.
The Beach is a public beach in Dubai, but it caters to many luxury watersports activities, from parasailing and wakeboarding to family-friendly banana boat rides. For your dining options, frequent visitors of The Beach recommend Asil Restaurant, The Noodle House – JBR, Oompa Loompa, and Fogueira.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 24 hours
Location: Opposite JBR, Dubai Marina – Dubai
La Mer
La Mer has a public beach in Dubai. The local government of La Mer offers free access to the beach and waterfront. La Mer beach can already give you the best weekend for swimming and water sports activities, but its beachfront offerings are what makes La Mer one of the best tourist destinations in Dubai.
La Mer’s beachfront features a self-contained, eclectic beachfront with shopping, dining, and entertainment establishments. Many considered the beachfront as the most instagrammable place in Dubai.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 10:00 AM to midnight
Location: 45 2 A St. – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Cove Beach
Cove Beach is a lifestyle destination and a luxury white beach in Dubai. The beach offers the best views of the Arabian Gulf, and the main establishment houses three private pools, restaurants, and leisure facilities.
Cove Beach is known for its motorized water sports activities, such as jet ski, fly fish, donut ride, banana ride, kneeboards, and yacht tours. For your dining options, frequent visitors recommend the Rosé Lounge and Restaurant TWO.0.
Entry Fee: 200 AED (54.45 USD) to 300 AED (81.67 USD) (access to the pools, beach, and other public facilities only)
Timing: 10:00 AM to 01:00 AM
Location: Caesars Palace Bluewaters Island, Bluewaters Island off JBR – Dubai
Kite Beach
Kite Beach is another public beach in Dubai that perfectly caters to families. However, some facilities and activities on the beach are exclusive. This includes the Sole Mio Service, a beachside public service with umbrellas, loungers, towels, beach toys, and KiteSurf School Dubai, a school that offers personalized kitesurfing courses.
Kite Beach offers water sports activities to visitors who want to visit the beach and do more than swimming. You can try kitesurfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. For dining options, Kite Beach offers restaurants featuring some Arabic favorites and international cuisines. Visitors recommend dining at Carnival Treats, Kaakunada, JJ Kitchen, and Taqado Mexican Kitchen.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 24 hours
Location: Umm SuqeimJumeirah 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Marina Beach
Marina Beach is perhaps the finest white sand beach in Dubai. Despite being a free-access beach, it is well-maintained and pristine and offers family-friendly beachfront views with luxurious accommodations. It can rival one of the luxury white sand beaches in the UAE.
Marina Beach has an open lounge and an open gym. For dining options, there are nearby shopping centers and establishments on the beachfront and the neighborhood. The Walk alone, a beautiful outdoor mall, can give visitors everything they need.
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: 24 hours
Location: Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, Dubai (along The Walk)
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park is one of the most visited places in Dubai. The park houses five public beaches for tourists and locals to enjoy, covering 106 hectares. Aside from beaches, the park also houses an array of leisure and recreational areas.
The beach park is a public beach in Dubai, but there’s an entry fee of 5 AED. Children below two and People of Determination can enter for free. Other facilities and activities in the park, such as swimming pools, jet skis, and train rides, also come with a fee.
Entry Fee: 5 AED (1.36 USD)
Timing: 8:00AM to 10:00PM
Location: Al Mamzar Beach St – Al Mamzar – Dubai – United Arab Emirates (Near Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian & Charity Establishment)
Final Tips for First-Time Beachgoers in Dubai
If you plan on visiting a beach in Dubai and you’re a tourist or not a local resident in the neighborhood, we recommend planning and scheduling your trip with accommodation and itinerary. We also advise not to go to “secret beaches” not recognized by the local government.
What to Do After Visiting the Best Beaches in Dubai
After taking a swim and bathing under the sun at one of the best beaches in Dubai, don’t forget to visit other tourist attractions in the neighborhood. Dubai Marina and Jumeirah, for example, house various shopping centers and leisure establishments. To relax, go to massage centers or cinemas in Dubai. If you want more water adventures, book another fun day in a waterpark.
