The best beaches in Dubai
With miles of sandy shores, Dubai’s beaches come in many shapes and styles. There are pristine public beaches with free facilities and sun loungers for hire. The busiest stretches are serviced by watersports centres and family-friendly food trucks and eateries, while more exclusive barefoot luxury can be found at one of Dubai’s ever-growing selection of designer beach clubs where the entertainment is orchestrated by DJs and costume-clad dancers. As an added bonus, Dubai’s beaches aren’t only places to play by day; some are open at night, too.
The Beach, JBR
Hugging the buzzing tourist and residential neighbourhood of Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR), The Beach, JBR is a hive of activity. This stretch of the Arabian Sea is a playground for wakeboarders and jet skiers, and there’s an inflatable water park. Try to navigate its slippery obstacles without falling into the sea.
Insider tip: Facilities include cabanas, sun loungers and umbrellas for hire, as well as complimentary toilets, showers and changing rooms. Backed by a running track dotted with al fresco exercise machines, workouts are free, too.
How to get here: Operating within Dubai Marina, Dubai Tram stations JBR 1 and JBR 2 are close by; but most walk or take a cab.
Palm West Beach
Work on your swagger before strolling the length of Palm West Beach. Peacocking along its promenade – or people-watching those who do – is the predominate pastime on this trendy shoreline. Backed by five-star hotels, the sand is divided into plots occupied by beach clubs, bars and restaurants, each one pumping out competing baselines.
Insider tip: Gravitate towards the tunes you like and hire a daybed from one of the hotels or clubs and spend a day admiring the view, which includes the Dubai Marina skyline and Bluewaters Island’s Ferris Wheel. Stay until after sunset to see the promenade lit up at night.
How to get here: Take a cab.
White Beach
Dubai is awash with beach clubs and White Dubai is one of its best. Located at mega-resort Atlantis, The Palm, it’s a boho retreat with crochet parasols, natural wood cabanas, two Instagram-worthy pools and an al fresco restaurant.
Insider tip: Spoil yourself by booking a private pool cabana. The water is wonderful and the service is attentive. Entry costs AED200 ($43) from Monday to Thursday, and AED250 (£54) on Friday to Sunday and public holidays; women might prefer to visit on Tuesday (Ladies Day), when the entry fee also includes unlimited selected drinks and discounts on food.
How to get here: Operating along Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Monorail stops at Atlantis, The Palm; otherwise take a cab.
Umm Suqeim “Sunset” Beach
Dubbed Sunset Beach, this sweep of shore is at its best in the late afternoon, and not just because of its revered dusk views. It’s one of Dubai’s few designated night-swimming locations, so stick around after sundown to see floodlights bathe the sand and take a dip in dark waters.
Insider tip: Dine at Bu Qtair, originally a simple beach shack that has been serving the catch of the day since the Eighties. Today, it’s one of Dubai’s most famous heritage restaurants still specialising in local spiced fish dishes.
How to get here: Mall of the Emirates Metro station is closest, around a 10-minute cab ride away.
Kite Beach
One of a long line of lovely beaches that front the Jumeirah 1, 2 and 3 neighbourhoods, Kite Beach is a community gathering place. Deep and wide with an equally generous boardwalk and skies filled with kitesurfers, it’s also a popular spot to fly handheld kites.
Insider tip: Join the families enjoying early morning walks with stops at the playgrounds along the way, or, as the sun sets, gather at the funky food trucks to tuck into stacked burgers.
How to get here: Take a cab.
Jumeirah Beach (Nessnass Beach)
Confusingly, Google Maps flags multiple Jumeirah Beaches. The two main sunbathing stretches are just north of Kite Beach, on either side of Dubai Canal. This one, on the south side, is also known locally as Nessnass Beach after nearby Nessnass Street – and it’s another of Dubai’s night swimming spots.
Insider tip: At the end of the beach, Dubai Canal is ripe for a wander with its collection of interesting bridges. Just behind this section of coastline is the air-conditioned Sunset Mall, an ideal escape when the mercury rises.
How to get here: Take a cab.
Jumeirah Public Beach
Continuing north, past Dubai Canal, you’ll reach what Google labels as Jumeirah Public Beach, which overlooks Jumeirah Bay Island, home to one of Dubai’s most luxurious resorts, Bulgari Dubai and its Yacht Club, a millionaire’s lunch spot.
Insider tip: At the northern end of the beach lies the quaint Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, home to homegrown, award-winning Asian eatery 3Fils and its sister restaurant BRIX Desserts. For a delicious lunch, order a Wagyu sando in the former and finish with a fancy cake in the latter.
How to get here: Take a cab.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Family-friendly Al Mamzar Beach Park in Deira practically kisses the borders of Dubai’s neighbouring emirate Sharjah. Not many tourists come this far north, but those based near here should explore the coastal park’s sandy beaches, cool pools, landscaped gardens and play areas. Entry costs just AED5 (£1) per person.
Insider tip: With designated barbecue and picnic areas, you can pack your own feast to enjoy within the grounds.
How to get here: Take a cab.
