The entire shoreline of Dubai boasts a vast stretch of beautiful beaches, offering endless opportunities for sunbathing during your vacation. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top paid and free beach options in Dubai.
Free beaches in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach Residence or JBR
If you’re looking for free beaches in Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, commonly known as JBR, is a fantastic choice. Stretching along a 2-kilometer-long pedestrian promenade called The Walk, this beach is ideal for those staying in the Dubai Marina area. The beach underwent changes in 2015, transforming it from a “wild” spot into a more organized destination with complimentary amenities like changing rooms, restrooms, and showers.
What sets JBR apart is its abundance of recreational facilities. You’ll find numerous playgrounds, lush green lawns, outdoor exercise equipment, and even a running track. Additionally, there are excellent restaurants and cafes with terraces that serve breakfast and continue into the late morning.
JBR Beach is a popular spot, attracting both tourists and locals. You might even encounter costumed Bedouins strolling by with a camel available for rides. On weekends, which fall on Friday and Saturday in Dubai, the beach tends to get crowded with locals. To secure a good spot by the sea, it’s advisable to arrive around 7 am. While underground parking typically costs around $5 per hour, if you spend more than $20 at local restaurants, you’ll enjoy complimentary parking, so be sure to keep your receipts.
- Infrastructure: cafes, restaurants, locker rooms, showers, sun loungers, umbrellas, parking, playgrounds.
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day.
- Price: free.
You can limit yourself to one beach, but we recommend exploring other locations. This way you will definitely have time to enjoy your vacation and find your ideal beach.
In order to move around the city more comfortably, be on time everywhere and not depend on circumstances, we recommend that you think about suv car rental in Dubai. This is an ideal option for stylish and comfortable travel.
Sunset or Sufouh
For those seeking a tranquil beach experience in Dubai, Sunset Beach stands in stark contrast to Jumeirah Beach Residence. On weekdays, you can expect to have several tens of meters of personal space and enjoy the soothing serenity of the sea, the sun, and a gentle breeze – it’s just you and nature.
However, it’s important to note that the tranquility comes at a cost – there’s a complete absence of amenities and infrastructure here. You won’t find sun loungers, umbrellas for rent, or even changing cabins.
To reach Sunset Beach, the most convenient option is to drive or take a taxi. Rental cars are equipped with GPS, and taxi drivers are familiar with the phrase “Hessa Beach, next to sheikhs’ villas.” Parking is available at the beach entrance, but be cautious when parking to avoid getting stuck in the sand.
- Infrastructure: free parking.
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day.
- Price: free.
Kite Beach
Kite Beach in Dubai is a lively and dynamic destination that caters to a wide range of interests. This beach is bursting with activities for everyone. Whether you’re into trampolining, volleyball, football, or prefer a leisurely stroll or jog, Kite Beach has you covered. Notably, it’s the only place in Dubai where you can rent a kite or kayak for some exciting water adventures.
In recent times, Kite Beach has seen some upgrades, including the addition of showers and toilets, as well as the opening of small cafes. It’s worth noting that while these cafes are located on the beach, there’s an expectation of decorum, and service may be denied to individuals in swimwear or swimming trunks.
Kite Beach is a preferred location for various beach events organized by the city authorities, offering visitors a taste of the unique culture of the East. On regular days, it tends to be less crowded, and if you venture a bit further along the shoreline, near the fishing nets, you might discover your own nearly private beach oasis, with perhaps a couple of fishermen nearby untangling their gear. It’s a splendid escape from the hustle and bustle.
- Infrastructure: paid parking at the beach $4 per hour or along the road $1 per hour, cafes, toilets, showers, volleyball and football courts, trampoline, umbrellas, sun loungers.
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day.
- Price: free.
Paid beaches in Dubai
Al Mamzar Beach
If you reside in the Deira, Bur Dubai, or Downtown Dubai areas, Al Mamzar Beach is the nearest well-facilitated option for a day by the sea. It’s also conveniently located for tourists from Sharjah and Dubai, appealing to both beach enthusiasts and park lovers alike. Essentially, it’s a seaside park that seamlessly transitions into a lush green area, setting it apart from the free beaches.
Admission to Al Mamzar Beach is just $1.3, while entry by car to the park is $8. If you’re driving, feel free to bring your barbecue ingredients (excluding pork) with you, as there are 28 designated barbecue spots scattered throughout the park. You can also enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grass, as Dubai’s lawns are specifically designed for this purpose. For a more peaceful picnic experience, it’s advisable to arrive around 8 a.m. before the park gets crowded with Filipino expats.
- Infrastructure: park, playgrounds, barbecue areas, swimming pool.
- Opening hours: Sunday – Wednesday 8:00 – 22:00, Thursday – Saturday 8:00 – 23:00. Monday and Wednesday are women’s days, at this time only women, girls of any age and boys no older than 8 years are allowed on the beach.
- Price: $1.3 per person and $8 per car.
Beaches of the Atlantis Hotel
The beaches of the Atlantis Hotel are nestled within the renowned man-made Palm Jumeirah archipelago, making it one of Dubai’s most opulent hotels with its private shoreline and not one, but three exquisite beaches—a rarity in this city. The sand here is fine and ivory, and the sheltered harbor with its calm waters is perfect for families with kids of all ages. You’re welcome to spend an entire day here, as there’s entertainment to suit every preference, ranging from an expansive water park and the chance to swim with dolphins to a water zoo and a shoreline restaurant.
Royal Beach opens its doors at 8:30 am and welcomes those who enjoy an active day at the beach. You can find a list of daily activities near the kiosk where you can also obtain towels. On the other hand, Nasimi Beach allows you to reserve a sun lounger or a beach gazebo for the entire day. Nasimi Beach operates from 9 am until 1 am, and on Fridays, it extends the fun until two in the morning. As evening descends, the beach transforms into a chic party destination with DJs, laser displays, and dazzling fireworks, which is why only adults aged 21 and over are permitted here.
The third beach is an ideal choice for families with children and is part of the Aquaventure water park, situated right by the seaside.
You can reach the Atlantis Hotel by taxi, but for a more engaging and cost-effective journey, consider taking the monorail for a round trip at $7. This modern train gracefully traverses the entire “trunk” of Palm Jumeirah, treating you to breathtaking views of the archipelago along the way.
- Infrastructure: free parking at the hotel or $1 per hour along the road, restaurants, towels, sun loungers, water park.
- Opening hours: different for all beaches.
- Price: from 70 $.
