Dubai is the home of sun, sea and sand. There are many beaches in Dubai, but many of them are owned by hotels or beach clubs who charge an entrance fee for their facilities. With so many beaches to choose from, how do you find the right one for you? Well, we have done the work for you. Here is our pick of the top 5 beaches in Dubai, and why they have made it on to the Living 360 list.
The Beach for Families
This beach is a great hit among families with young children. It has something for everyone. This is a beach-side resort, but also has a temperature controlled pool on the beachfront. In the pool, the adults, you can swim-up to the pool bar and sip on delicious cocktails. The children can be playing in the twisting and turning water-slides on the other side of the pool. Then you can all come together and meet up for lunch, dining at the fresh Italian restaurant Luciano’s. Then, with a belly full of food you can relax on the sun loungers next to the pool, dozing off under the shade of the umbrella while the children are on the water-slides.
Image: Dubeach
If you prefer to take your family to the beach then you can walk down and lay on the sand on the miles long beach, listening to the sound of the ocean waves. The children can play in the sea, or even partake in some water-sports!
Best for: Families UAE residents Dhs400 (with 150 food voucher) and Visitors (Non-AUE residents) Dhs550 (With 150 food voucher). Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina (04 408 4444).
A Beach for Gym-lovers
If you are a person who loves to take care of their body and hit the gym, then relaxing at the beach may seem a bit too lazy for you to partake in. Fear not. Visit the Atlantis ShuiQi Spa and Fitness and you get free access to the Royal Beach and Pool at the resort. So you can work out in the gym, get a 60 minute beauty treatment and really feel like you have earned a day at the beach before you hit the sand. When you do make it down to the beach, you will find a very chilled-out atmosphere. Lay on a sun lounger or a day bed and have a water bring you everything you need for the perfect post-workout relaxation session.
Best for: Fitness lovers and those who like to be waited on. Royal Beach, Atlantis, Free entrance with a visit to eht Spa. The Palm, 8.30am to sunset, 04 426 2000
Beach for Those Who Love to Eat
Spending a day at the beach, whilst a joyous occasion, can feel like you are a bit cut off from the rest of the world. Sometimes you can be faced with endless miles of beach with nothing else around, having to search far and wide for any facilities. However, this is not true of the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa. Although this is a huge beach, it somehow still manages to have a small and intimate feel. It is a beach that has become popular with all kinds of visitors, from couples, to families, to the elderly. The beach seems like your own personal slice of paradise, but still has all the amenities you may need. In the same vicinity as the beach are three pools, a gym, spa, children’s play are, table tennis and tennis courts. There are also more than enough sun loungers for anyone who wants to lay back and soak up the sun.
Once you have worked up an appetite from a long session of beach relaxation you can indulge in one of the many eateries in the club resort. There is no need to pack sandwiches for your beach trip, as yo are sure to find something for everyone here. Drink coffee at Al Khayma, eat Italian at Capanna Nuova, tempt your taste buds at the Thai Bistro, drink rum at Malecon or eat Lebanese at Al Qasr. There are even more bars and restaurants available in this amazing resort.
Best for: Foodies Sun-Wed Dhs75 (Dhs50 for children), Fri-Sat Dhs125 (Dhs75 for children), Jumeirah (04 346 1111).
For a Little Privacy
Sometimes, visiting a beach can be a little intimidating. You have to lay out in the sun all day, exposed in your bathing suit watching with nowhere to hide on the open plane. Yet, if you visit a beach club, you will find that you can relax with a more private atmosphere. RIVA Beach Club is Dubai’s first standalone beach club- it was the first beach club to not be part of a hotel. The clubhouse plays chilled out music throughout the venue, and there are day beds, palm trees and sun loungers scattered around the pool. The beach at this club is completely private, and creates the perfect romantic location when the RIVA turns on the candles in the evening. At this beach club you can lay on the private beach, lounge by the large pool and be safe in the knowledge that your children also have somewhere to play in their own splash pool. There is an outdoor restaurant and pool bars.
Best for: Romance and privacy.
Sun-Wed Dhs100, Fri-Sat Dhs150. Palm Jumeirah (04 430 9466).
For the Adrenaline Junkies
So far, all of the beaches on this list have been beach clubs. They have provided luxury locations next to the beach, including bars, restaurants and sun-loungers. But what if you are looking for something a little more adventurous? Well, if you are more into water sports than beach relaxation, Kitesurfing Beach is the beach for you. This is Dubai’s sportiest beach, and it is a favourite with volleyball players, soccer players, kayakers and kitesurfers. If you are new to watersports but want to give them a go then head down to Kitesurfing Beach and you will find plenty of instructors ready to teach you.
Corner of 2d and 35a street; behind Saga World, Umm Suqeim 1.
Public beach, no charge.