Dubai attracts attention with its high-rise skyscrapers, chic hotels and luxurious shopping centres. It is also popular among tourists due to its stunning coastline with crystal clear water and snow-white sand.
The most optimal months for a seaside holiday in Dubai are October, November, December, March and April. During these periods the air temperature stays at +30°C, which is a comfortable level for most people. And the water during this time warms up to +25°C-30°C. In winter, however, the water can become somewhat cool, cooling down to +20°C.
Most importantly, when holidaying on the coast of Dubai, you need to follow certain rules. Firstly, alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beaches of this city. Secondly, sunbathing topless or without clothes is not welcome, as the local culture and religion imply certain moral restrictions. Also, you should not go outside the beaches in a swimming costume – it may violate the generally accepted rules of etiquette and cause negative reactions.
Best free beaches
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is the largest and most picturesque beach in Dubai and is considered one of the best beaches in the city. Located next to the residential complex and Dubai Marina, it was wild a few years ago, with no changing cabins. Now, however, it is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and safe holiday. Entry to JBR beach is free, but you will have to pay for some facilities such as sunbed and lounger hire. There are many activities along the beach, including water and pleasure craft hire, as well as sporting activities such as volleyball and football. Close to the beach are The Beach promenade, the yacht club and the Dubai Marina shopping centre.
Umm Suqeim Beach
With stunning views of the Burj Al Arab dream hotel, Umm Suqeim Beach is deservedly ranked among the best beaches in Dubai. It has clear water, fine sand and a gentle descent into the sea. The beach has all the amenities for recreation – free showers and changing rooms, as well as toilets. Safety is constantly monitored by lifeguards. The beach has a beach library, unique in Dubai, where you can enjoy a book. It is also one of the few places in the city where you can swim at night, thanks to the Smart Power solar-powered lighting equipment. It automatically switches on at sunset and off at midnight. Opposite the beach is a park with children’s and sports fields, cafes and snack bars. Paid parking is available for visitors travelling by car.
Marina Beach
Marina Beach is located in the luxurious residential neighbourhood of Dubai Marina and offers beautiful views stretching free of charge. Here you will find a long coastline, soft white sand, warm water and a smooth approach to the sea. The beach is popular with tourists and locals, so it is almost always lively. Marina Beach provides all the necessary facilities and offers a variety of entertainment. It has an open-air gym, beach football courts, watercraft hire, an aqua park and a children’s play area with water slides in the sea. Camel rides along the coastline are also available. There is a promenade next to the beach where you can find many restaurants and cafes.
Barasti beach club
Barasti beach club is one of the most popular beach clubs in Dubai. There is always music playing and various open-air events and parties with famous DJs. There is also a sports bar within the club that broadcasts current sporting events. The club offers a well-equipped beach with a clean and well-maintained shore, a gradual entrance to the water and the sea water has an exquisite turquoise hue, the sunbeds on the beach are in the form of wide beds. Another advantage of Barasti Beach Club is the free entry, but bringing food and drink is not allowed as everything you need can be purchased at the local café. On Friday, the evening of the parties, entrance for men is charged while women have free access.
Jumeirah Open Beach
Jumeirah Open Beach offers a basic range of facilities for a comfortable stay, including changing cabins, toilets, showers, children’s play areas and sports courts. Sun loungers and parasols are also available for hire. There are special rubber bike lanes on the shore and watercraft hire is also available. Visitors have a wonderful view of the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Suqeim Public Park, several shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes are located near the beach. Jumeirah Open Beach is ideal for holidays with children: gentle descent into the water, shallow seabed near the shore and clean and well-maintained coastline. The only disadvantage of this place is its popularity. On weekends, many tourists and locals gather here.
Kite Beach
Kite Beach is known for its strong winds and attracts kitesurfing enthusiasts. Here you can rent a kite and get lessons from experienced instructors. For those who prefer active holidays, the beach is equipped with volleyball and basketball courts, a skate park, rope rides and a trampoline park. Entrance to the beach is free, but you will have to pay for the rent of sun beds and umbrellas. The beach has the necessary infrastructure such as toilets, showers and lifeguard towers, as well as several smart palm trees that provide free Wi-Fi and charge gadgets. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants with spacious terraces on the beach, and nearby is Jumeirah Beach Park with plenty of attractions for kids.
Mercato Beach
Mercato Beach is a quiet and secluded place to relax. Here you can enjoy the beautiful clear sea and the smooth entrance to the water. There are no nearby hotels, which makes the beach uncrowded. The beach infrastructure is limited to a lifeguard tower, buoys that mark the swimming area and a rubber treadmill. Picnic foods can be purchased at Mercato Shopping Mall, located across the street from the beach.
La Mer Beach
La Mer Beach, located in the Jumeirah neighbourhood, is a new resort with many recreational facilities. Thanks to its excellent infrastructure, it is deservedly considered one of the best in Dubai. The 2.5 kilometre beachfront area is divided into three sectors: La Mer South, La Mer North and The Wharf. Free access to facilities including toilets, changing rooms, showers, restrooms, ATMs, Wi-Fi and mobile device charging areas are provided. Car parking for 1,100 spaces is available on the beach. Entrance to the beach is free, but some services (e.g. renting sunbeds, water transport, visiting Laguna Water Park, etc.) are chargeable.
Best Paid Beaches
Atlantis the Palm Beaches
The five-star Atlantis The Palm hotel, located on the island of Palma Jumeirah, offers tourists three beautiful beaches. Nasimi Beach is part of an exclusive club where only adult guests over the age of 21 are admitted. Parties are held here and famous music bands often perform. Aquaventure Water Park Beach is without doubt the best choice for holidays with children. Royal Beach is open to all visitors and the ticket price includes use of the pool and free access to the hotel grounds. Atlantis The Palm beaches are one of the most popular New Year’s Eve destinations in Dubai. Holidays in this place are not cheap, but the facilities are excellent.
Madinat Jumeirah Resort
The elite Madinat Jumeirah Resort offers excellent conditions for beach holidays. It has three hotels, over 50 restaurants, bars and cafes, Souk Madinat Market, a theatre, concert hall and several conference halls. The resort also has a magnificent kilometre long beach. Entrance to the beach is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are staying in hotels. However, you will have to pay for this holiday. The ticket price includes the use of sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach facilities such as toilets, showers, and changing rooms. In addition, waiters will bring drinks directly to the sunbeds. Beachgoers can also enjoy strolling through the parks and gardens within Madinat Jumeirah Resort.
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach is one of the accessible paid beaches in Dubai. It belongs to the Sheraton Hotel, which is located in the Jumeirah neighbourhood. The beach area is kept perfectly clean by the hotel staff. The expansive beach has sun loungers with umbrellas and is surrounded by tall palm trees to escape the heat. In addition to relaxing in the sea, visitors can enjoy the freshwater swimming pools. There are many beach activities on offer such as banana boating, water skiing, kayaking, windsurfing, diving and underwater fishing.
Jumeirah Beach Park
The city’s Jumeirah Beach Park is a pay beach overlooking the Arabian Gulf in the Jumeirah neighbourhood. The sand on the beach was specially brought in from the desert. Every day, machines clean it of debris. In addition to a comfortable beach area, the park has children’s and sports fields, barbecue areas, cafes and kiosks offering refreshments and snacks. On Monday, Saturday and Sunday, only women with children under 5 years old are allowed on the beach.
Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa Beach
The beach at Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa is a small but cosy beach located in a bay with white sand and clear water. It attracts those looking for a quiet and measured family holiday. The territory resembles an oasis, where small guest houses and cafes are located, surrounded by greenery of exotic trees and flowers. There are several swimming pools available on the beach, including a children’s pool, a playground for the little ones and an equipped volleyball area. You can go diving, rent a saboard or try wakesurfing. Entrance to the beach is chargeable.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park is a beach and park complex on the outskirts of Dubai, bordering Sharjah. This complex is deservedly considered one of the best beach parks in Dubai, thanks to its vast green areas and impressive sandy beach with bright blue water. On Mondays and Wednesdays, there is a ‘ladies’ day’ when men are not allowed to enter. The park features several beaches with wooden decks, changing rooms, showers, restaurants and shops. Guests can rent sunbeds or chalet huts. For entertainment, there are banana and gyro-scooter rentals, volleyball and basketball courts. The park also offers barbecue areas, playgrounds, a small skatepark and several swimming pools.
Jebel Ali Beach
Jebel Ali Beach – located just a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The coastline is divided into private and public areas. The city public beach attracts those who are looking for privacy in nature or want to spend time with a large group. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent for a fee. It is so spacious that there is enough room for everyone. There are lifeguards on the beach, several food trucks and a volleyball court. You can create beautiful photos at the photo zones with white swings, hammocks and a bench in the shape of a big heart.
