It takes boldness to construct some of the world’s tallest buildings in the heart of the desert. It also requires a certain flair for extravagance to create artificial islands and underwater hotels. Dubai represents the pinnacle of Arab ambition, where oil wealth flows freely and dreams know no bounds.
High-tech, glamorous, and lively, Dubai is never quiet or subtle. If you’re intrigued by the experience, you might be pleased to know that beyond the city’s hustle and bustle, there’s time for relaxation on the beach and lazy afternoons. Under the gentle winter sun, you can soak up some vitamin D, while in summer, you’ll want to wait until evening to enjoy the soft sand. To help you decide where to go, here are the 10 best beaches in Dubai.
Table of Contents
1. Jumeira Beach, iconic
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : perfect for a selfie with the iconic Burj Al Arab and starting surfing in accessible waves ℹ️ Good to know : excellent infrastructure, Wi-Fi connection via Smart Palms, and short swimming area lit at night |
This public beach (also known as Jumeirah Public Beach) is probably the most popular in Dubai. It stands out from the city for several kilometers, offering a strip of fine sand untouched by modern facilities. But what makes Sunset Beach famous is the legendary Burj Al Arab hotel that rises from the ground in the background. The cliché is classic but irresistible.
Another advantage of Sunset Beach is its currents and orientation, which are ideal for beginner surfers. And if you fancy a midnight swim in a sea reflecting the Burj Al Arab, wait until nightfall. Sunset Beach is one of the few beaches in Dubai that allows night swimming (a demarcated area about a kilometer from the famous hotel).
2. JBR Beach, abundant
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : large choice of activities in a contemporary and relaxed Arab atmosphere ℹ️ Good to know : Want to keep your feet dry? Why not book a camel ride along JBR Beach? |
JBR Beach may be busy and close to buildings, but this Dubai beach retains something deliciously authentic. The crowd is cosmopolitan. Everyone comes here to breathe fresh air, a hundred miles from shopping centers and bustling streets. People relax there, work on their tan, and stroll there. JBR Beach offers a very beautiful promenade lined with restaurants with unique Arabian flavors.
3. Kite Beach, sporty
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : the best place to swim in Dubai ℹ️ Good to know : barbecues and cars are no longer allowed |
As the name suggests, this beach in Dubai is stormed by kite surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. The sound of boards and sails is incessant. But if you are not a fan of these activities, no worries. This beautiful stretch of sparkling sand is also a perfect playground for beach volleyball players, joggers, or simply fans of napping under the UV rays.
4. La Mer Beach, family-friendly
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : the most family-friendly of beaches thanks to its activities for all ages ℹ️ Good to know : don’t miss a snack or more at the Sugar Factory, the temple of high-end confectionery and sweets |
Symbol of one of the most important districts of Dubai, La Mer Beach is an ode to relaxation and idleness. Dotted with palm trees of huge dimensions and surrounded by murals, La Mer Beach is also a cultural and artistic hub in its own right. You will not be alone there. Nevertheless, you will meet a different, heterogeneous population and a resolutely seaside lifestyle. Bars and restaurants from around the world are dotted all along its coast, to the delight of foodies traveling to Dubai.
5. Mercato Beach, relaxing
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : the quietest beach for swimming in Dubai ℹ️ Good to know : no facilities, stock up at the Mercato Ball shopping center opposite before settling down on the sand |
Take a breather. Here’s a beach to swim in Dubai that hasn’t been invaded by a whirlwind. Charming and peaceful, Mercato Beach escapes the crowds and extreme temperatures thanks to its constant breeze. In addition to the sea and sand, there are beautiful views. Take a trip to the nearby Jumeirah Fishing Port. Ideal for a coffee on the terrace or dinner in an oriental restaurant.
6. Al Mamzar Beach Park, attractive
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : jogging, jet skiing, barbecue or swimming, everything is possible here ℹ️ Good to know : Mondays and Wednesdays reserved for women |
This beach in Dubai is intended to be family-friendly and fun. It extends into the heart of the immense Al Mamzar Park, a real focal point for waterside entertainment. Here, palm trees provide shade, tourists and locals light barbecues, a small train cuts through the landscape and a few musical stages set the mood. Much more than a beach, it is an attraction center that offers a complete range of facilities and services for tourists.
7. Black Palace Beach, secret
📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : This Dubai beach is rather isolated and “natural” ℹ️ Good to know : shallow waters, ideal for children |
This beach where you can swim in Dubai remains – still – preserved. This little gem of rare beauty, also known as Al Sufouh Beach, can only be reached on foot. There are no facilities on-site, so you come with your picnic and parasol. But this lack of equipment offers an untouched heavenly setting. This is probably the best beach in Dubai for photography enthusiasts and impressive viewpoints. On the left, the sun sets over the Palm Jumeirah. On the right, the colossal silhouette of the Burj Al Arab.
8. Riva Beach Club, private and relaxed
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : an independent and popular private beach ℹ️ Good to know : paid entry |
Among the best beaches in Dubai, Riva Beach Club is private and belongs to an independent club. This is quite rare because most of the paying beaches in the city are attached to hotels. You can therefore access it regardless of your place of residence. Throughout the Riva Beach Club, you will meet expatriates from all over the world. The entrance fee includes the rental of a deckchair, a towel, access to the gym, the hammock, and three hundred meters of immaculate sand. The place also attracts young people eager for evenings with their feet in the water thanks to its DJ sets and divine cocktails.
9. Nikki Beach Dubai, private and glitzy
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : the most fashionable beach club in Dubai ℹ️ Good to know : paid entry |
It’s hard to close a ranking of the best beaches in Dubai without mentioning the very trendy and exclusive Nikki Beach. Located in the heart of the very fashionable residential peninsula, it has all the codes of the most fashionable places on the planet. White decor, vast swimming pool, wooden loungers, high-end food, privileged views of the sea and the city center. It’s THE place to be in Dubai.
10. 4×4 Beach, fun
| 📍 Location : Click here 👍 Advantage : an unusual and fun atmosphere, perfect for outings with friends ℹ️ Good to know : no facilities nearby, bring your own food and water |
This Dubai beach is the most fun and offbeat in the city while remaining fashionable and Instagrammable enough to draw the crowds. Young people drive there (in flashy 4x4s), turn off the engine, take out the picnic. Then, they spend the day there with their feet in the water. Stretched out like an arc across the bay, 4×4 Beach opens onto a picturesque view with the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in the background.
