Dubai is known for its luxurious lifestyle, and what better way to indulge than spending a day lounging on one of its beautiful beaches? With its crystal-clear waters and golden sands, Dubai offers an array of beaches that cater to all tastes, whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a serene escape. From trendy beach clubs to family-friendly resorts, this article highlights some of the best beaches in Dubai that you won’t want to miss. So grab your sunscreen and get ready to soak up some sun and sea!

Al Mamzar Park

The pearlescent sand and clear blue waters mean that it’s well worth making the journey out to the Dubai-Sharjah border to soak up the joys of this particular beach. Once you arrive, you’ll find one beach, four large grassy areas, bicycle paths, a swimming pool, multiple barbecue areas and a skate park. There’s also a scattering of cafes and kiosks for stocking up on beach day necessities (read: ice cream), and the snorkelling from the shallows is pretty good too.

Dhs5. Sun-Wed 8 am-10 pm, Thu-Sat (and official holidays) 8 am-11 pm. Al Khaleej Street, Al Mamzar.

Al Sufouh Beach

This beautiful beach of many names (some call it Secret Beach, others Black Palace Beach) holds well-deserved legendary status amongst long-time Dubai residents. Why, you may wonder? Well, this is the perfect spot when you want to escape the crowds and feel like you’ve gone off the beaten track but wish to do so without sacrificing those Burj Al Arab views. As befits the secret beach moniker, there are no facilities or restaurants here, so make sure you arrive with supplies in hand.

Turn right into the slip road after the bus stop on Al Sufouh Road (just before Hessa Street and about 500m before Dubai Media City).

Palm West Beach

At Palm West Beach, those who love soaking up the sun and sea have a plethora of activities to choose from. The 1.6km promenade and beachfront offer unbeatable views of the Dubai skyline, while all-day beachfront entertainment, watersports, and restaurants ensure endless fun with loved ones and even furry friends. It’s also a great place to get your daily workout.

JBR

There are options aplenty at Dubai’s busiest beach. From sunrise until sunset (and beyond), this stretch of coast – and the busy promenade behind it – throngs with activity, people and possibilities thanks to the children’s play areas, inflatable Aqua Park, sunloungers for hire and restaurants, cafés and beach clubs galore. Arrive early and snag a prime spot on the sand, then spend the day admiring the superb Ain Dubai views.

The Beach, opposite JBR.

Jumeirah Open Beach

Spanning quite the distance from Dubai Marine Beach Resort up to the swanky Four Seasons Resort, this lovely chilled beach is ideal for enjoying a few hours on the sand with a good book. If you’re keen on some land-based activity, hit the smooth track that runs parallel to the beach (we’ll leave it up to you whether you run, walk, skate, blade or meander along it).

Near Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Beach Road.

Jebel Ali Public Beach

Picturesque, peaceful and far less built up than many of Dubai’s beaches. When all you want to do is chuck your towel on the sand, feel the sun’s warmth on your skin and power through your latest book or podcast, Jebel Ali Beach should be your go-to.

Amenities are limited, but there is a small kiosk selling snacks, ice creams and cold drinks (read: the essentials), and pop-up coffee or food trucks appear from time to time.

Mina Jelel Ali.

Kite Beach

Trendy cafés and gourmet food shacks; a skate park, hanging rope obstacle course, human slingshot experience, long swathes of sand, 14km beachside (for the most part) running track, options to go paddle boarding, water skiing, kayaking and of course kite surfing – consider that list just a taste of things to do at this fab beach hub as it undergoes a major rebrand.

Brilliant for adults, kids, and everyone in between, Kite Beach may have grown its offerings rapidly over the last few years, but a real sense of character remains.

Street 5a, behind Jumeirah Beach Road, Umm Suqeim.

La Mer

If glittering blue sea, soft, white sand, palm-tree fringed paths, quaint-yet-cool beach huts, funky street art and twinkling fairy lights appeal to you, we have an inkling that you’ll love La Mer. This trendy coastal dining and shopping destination is home to fast food spots, gourmet ice cream trucks, high-end restaurants, a retro cinema, an inflatable playground, and a water park.

Jumeirah 1, lamerdubai.ae.

Mercato Beach

All the neighbourhood feels. Sure, this isn’t the most spectacular beach in town, but when old-school beach holiday activities are on the agenda – rock pooling, sand castle building, shell collecting and shoreside paddling – Mercato’s your beach.

Seek respite from the sun and reward the family for embracing wholesome screen-time free fun with ice cream from Mercato Mall, or up the ante and treat the team to lunch at 3Fils in nearby Jumeirah Fishing Harbour (you won’t be disappointed).

13a Street, Jumeirah 2.

Nessnass Beach

While this beach is most popular with kite surfers, there’s plenty of scope for paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and sailing. Once you’ve reached an appetite, head for the turquoise and pink-hued Circle Café (formerly Park House) for coffee and a wholesome feed.

Nessnass Street, behind Sunset Mall.

Sunset Beach

This wide stretch of milky-white sand is often deserted in the early morning (it’s great for a pre-work stroll) and tends to remain, if not exactly quiet, then certainly calm throughout the day. Keen surfers often cite Sunset Beach as a top spot; fishing is popular, families are well catered for thanks to a children’s playground and clutch of BBQ areas, and there’s even a pop-up library and free Wi-Fi (our kind of place). As the name suggests, you should, of course, stick around for sunset.

2C Street, Umm Suqeim.

Dubai’s best beaches: beach clubs

Azure Beach

The pool here is huge, the giant sunloungers are comfy, beach access is included, a lush green lawn for lazing, and the views of the Arabian Gulf are stellar. Spend the day, enjoy the sunset, and then decide if you’ll stay to party the night away.

Mon-Thu: Dhs300 (Dhs100 redeemable in F&B); Fri-Sun: Dhs400 (Dhs200 redeemable in F&B). Open daily, 10 am-8 pm. Rixos Premium Dubai, JBR (052 777 9472).

Beach by FIVE

Ready those ‘phones: this party beach club has serious Insta potential (we’re talking a glass-sided pool and a chandelier to start). The 150-metre stretch of beach is pretty alluring, with loungers, deluxe sun beds, cabanas and even jacuzzies. There’s also a range of signature drinks to sip while you soak up the sun and a menu of Mediterranean-style bites.

Dhs150 (ladies for sun loungers, redeemable on F&B), Dhs300 (Gents for sun loungers, redeemable on F&B), Dhs1,000 (minimum spend for two guests on VIP deluxe sunbeds- daily). 

FIVE Palm Jumeirah, palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com (04 455 9988).

Bla Bla

When beach day equals party day, Bla Bla on JBR’s beachfront is a no-brainer. This place promises exuberant Ibiza-inspired vibes, live entertainment, a fancy pool with in-water sun loungers and ace views of Ain Dubai.

You won’t find better opportunities for beachside pampering and revelry than those offered at this venue. They hold a monthly pool party that lasts from day until night, as well as a Sunday brunch by the pool and a Miami Beats ladies’ day on Tuesdays. Weekdays start at Dhs200, which includes Dhs100 credit for food and drinks, while weekends start at Dhs300 with Dhs150 credit for food and drinks. They’re open every day from 10 am until sunset and are located at The Beach opposite JBR. Contact them at blabladubai. ae (058 606 3535).

Cove Beach

Escape to the Med in chic style at this breezy, buzzing beach club at Caesars Bluewaters. Here you can book a single mattress, sunbed or double sunbed, settle on the sand or by the vast pool and spend the day with gorgeous sea views. There are plenty of promos to check out, including an all-day deal on a pink grape on Wednesdays (women only).

Prices vary. Open daily 10am-sunset. Caesars Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters Dubai (050 454 6920).

DRIFT

DRIFT at the One&Only Royal Mirage is one of the classiest clubs. The beach is beautiful, the sun-dappled, Provencal-inspired restaurant is lovely, and the bar is fabulous for sundowners.  

For a real treat, the luxury island beds set by the infinity pool are the way to go (a bottle of premium sparkling grape is included in the price).

Prices start at Dhs200. Mon-Thu, Dhs250 Fri-Sun. 10am-7pm. One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh.driftbeachdubai.com (04 315 2200).

Nammos Dubai

Haul yourself to Mykonos and indulge in a luxurious day at Nammos, a beach club that radiates sophistication and glamour. Lounge on the comfortable sun loungers nestled on the private, velvety sand beach and savour a delectable Mediterranean-inspired lunch at the indoor-outdoor restaurant. Nammos is open daily from 12:30 pm to 2 am and can be found at the Four-seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

Nikki Beach

The Dubai incarnation of this world-famous, super-trendy beach club has glorious views out to sea on one side, with exquisite vistas towards the Downtown Dubai area and Burj Khalifa on the other. Hit the beach, donning your water-appropriate glad rags, and lounge on a daybed. The kitchen serves international dishes, and you’ll find a regular crowd coming through for sundowners.

Open Tue-Sun, 11 am-8 pm. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira (04 376 6162).

RIVA Beach Club

One of Dubai’s best all-around beach clubs and a great pick for families thanks to the chilled atmosphere, spacious strip of beach (plenty of room for sandcastles, sun loungers and splashing in the shallows) and a duo of swimming pools.

The onsite restaurant also has a menu packed with family-friendly favourites – pizzas, pasta, burgers, classic salads – and a cocktail list likely to appeal to adults (all the better for sipping while assuming the horizontal position on a lounger).

Dhs75 (adult), Dhs130 (couples), Dhs35 (kids aged five-12) Mon-Fri (20% off F&B included), Dhs115 (adult), Dhs210(couples), Dhs45 (kids aged five-12) Sat-Sun and public holidays. Shoreline Apartments Building 8, Palm Jumeirah (04 430 9466).

Soul beach Dubai

This new spot in the Jebel Ali JA, The Resort, looks set to become a favourite on Dubai’s beach club scene. As well as a gleaming infinity pool surrounded by a 26-metre-long sunbed, this day-to-night destination boasts a long stretch of golden sand with sun beds and umbrellas aplenty.

At sunset, the party atmosphere picks pace as resident DJ Shehzad K hits the decks, and the fire dancing and live entertainment begin.

Dhs150 with Dhs100 redeemable on food & beverages on Mon-Fri, Dhs200 with Dhs150 redeemable on food & beverages Sat&Sun. Monday to Friday, 10 am-10 pm, Weekends10am-midnight. JA The Resort, Jebel Ali Freezone. soulbeachdxb.com (04 814 5126).

Twiggy by La Cantine

A lesson in beachside luxe awaits at this chic French Riviera-style destination at the Park Hyatt Dubai. While the beach might be artificial (the white sand underfoot still feels pretty great to us) and certainly isn’t the largest on the list, this place is a must-visit. Luxuriate on loungers, linger over lunch and lap up the sunset scenes.

Prices start at Dhs200 per sunbed Mon-Fri, Dhs250 per sunbed Sat-Sun. Open 9 am- sunset. Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, twiggy. ae (04 602 1105).

WHITE Beach

The same team behind WHITE Dubai manages this super-trendy beach club and bar, and as you’d expect, it’s a place for a proper party by the sea. There’s a huge infinity pool, a chic restaurant and a terrace, and the Dubai skyline views are sensational: drink them in (drink in hand) from your poolside lounger or gaze in awe from the beach. Live DJs ensure the party atmosphere builds momentum throughout the day at this massive outdoor party space. On Tuesdays, the Daysies Ladies Day is well worth checking out, as are the weekend brunches.

Dhs200 (with Dhs100 redeemable on F&B) Mon-Fri, Dhs300 (with Dhs150 redeemable on F&B). Open daily 10 am-10 pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 2000).

Zero Gravity

Spend your day here lying on the beach (choose between plush sun loungers and private cabanas) or by the glass-fronted pool (you know, the one you’ve seen on Insta). Either way, you’ll be soaking up views of rolling waves, bright blue skies and the looming Ain Dubai in style (with the odd descending skydiver from nearby SkyDive Dubai to look out for, too).

Open Thu-Tue 10 am-2 am, closed Wed. Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Dubai Marina, www.0-gravity.ae (04 399 0009).

Dubai’s best beaches: hotel beaches

Fairmont The Palm

The Fairmont is an excellent choice for a beach day outing, with six pools to choose from (including one just for adults and another specifically for families) and an 800m stretch of golden sand to explore.

The hotel runs many beach-and-pool day deals throughout the year, which are well worth checking out, and children under the age of six go free as standard.

Dhs125 (adults), Dhs63 (children aged six – 12), Mon-Fri, Dhs250 with Dhs75 F&B credit (adults), Dhs125 with Dhs37.5 F&B credit (children aged six-12), Sat-Sun and public holidays. Daily 7 am-7 pm. Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 457 3388).

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Enjoy a real taste of holiday living in your city at the iconic Dubai landmark. A sea and sand-inspired 2019 refurb gave the famous wave-shaped hotel a new lease of easy-breezy, contemporary-chic life, and the vibe remains family-friendly yet suitably sophisticated.

The beach here boasts a prime location and just so happens to have some of the finest panoramas in town; take your time admiring the silhouette of the Burj Al Arab and think just how lucky you are to call yourself a Dubai resident.

Dhs350 (adults), Dhs195 (children under 16) Mon-Thu, Dhs450 (adults), Dhs295 (children under 16), Fri-Sun. Open 9 am-6 pm. Jumeirah Street, Umm Sequim. www.jumeirah.com (04 348 0000).

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Palatial surroundings, a superb private beach, a 59-metre infinity pool and excellent offers to boot: when it comes to luxe beach days that we return to time and time again, the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray delivers.

The weekday breakfast-brunch deal at Imperium restaurant is particularly appealing – feast on an array of pastries, eggs of any style, fresh juices and more –then make for the sand and sleep it all off in the sun.

Imperium weekday brunch deal: Dhs175 (including breakfast, pool and beach access), 50% off for kids under 12, free (kids 0-4), Mon-Fri 7 am-11 am (breakfast), 9 am-6 pm (pool and beach access). Palm Jumeirah, www.jumeirah.com (04 453 0444). Pool Day Passes: Dhs200 (Mon-Thu – full amount redeemable on F&B), Dhs250 (Fri-Sun – Dhs250 redeemable on F&B). Daily 9 am-7 pm. Palm Jumeirah (04 453 0000).

Le Royal Méridien Resort & Spa

When the kids deserve a treat, and the adults seriously need one (always?), throw everyone’s cossies in a bag and head to Le Royal Méridien Resort & Spa for a family beach and pool day.

Our advice is to hit the waterslides early for plenty of adrenalin-fueled fun, then once energy levels are starting to dip, make your way over to the lovely private beach for ice creams and a genteel sand-based afternoon.

Dhs250 (adults) Mon-Fri, Dhs75 children (Mon-Fri), Dhs3000 (adults) Sat-Sun, Dhs75 children (Sat-Sun), fully redeemable on F&B. Open daily 10 am-6 pm. Al Sufouh, www.marriott.com (04 399 3333).

Neptune Pool & Beach at Caesars Palace Dubai

With 500 metres of private beach, five pools and 30 cabanas (sunloungers, server service, chilled refreshments, iced water, and plush towels come as standard), and an array of aquatic adventures on offer, a brilliant beach day is a shoo-in here. Tear yourself away from the beach at 5 pm and head for the poolside Rum Truck for happy hour deals and party feels.

Dhs280 Mon-Thu (Dhs140 redeemable on F&B), Dhs380 (Dhs190 redeemable on F&B). Open daily, 9 am-sunset. Bluewaters Island, www.caesars.com, (04 556 6566).

Raffles The Palm Dubai

Wander through the verdant green gardens at this ‘ulta-luxury’ property, and you’ll feel an immediate sense of zen. That vibe will only strengthen as you settle into a lovely lounger by the stunning temperature-controlled pool or recline in style on one of the city’s finest beaches. Lockers and changing rooms are available here, and booking is encouraged.

Dhs350 Mon-Fri, Dhs400 Sat-Sun. Open 9 am-7 pm. Raffles The Palm Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, raffles.com (04 248 8888)

Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa

A winner of a beach day destination for all ages. In addition to six temperature-controlled swimming pools and numerous kid-friendly water slides, flumes and waterfalls, the beach at this Polynesian-style resort on The Palm is tip-top.

Adults can lay back and relax on the sand while adventurous older kids try their hand at the various water sports on offer or launch themselves around the inflatable obstacle course Aqua Bounce.

Dhs150 (adults), Dhs50 (kids aged six-12) Mon-Fri, Dhs200 (adults), Dhs70 (kids aged six-12), Sat-Sun and public holidays. Palm Jumeirah, sofitel-dubai-thepalm  .com/ (04 455 6677).