The Gulf is warm enough to swim in all year. In winter the water sits around 22 °C; by August it can reach 35 °C, which is less refreshing than it sounds — swimming in high summer feels like a warm bath.
Dubai's public beaches
- JBR / The Beach — free, lively, with showers, lifeguards and a promenade of cafés behind it. The easiest option if you have no hotel beach.
- Kite Beach — the sporty one: kitesurfing, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and the classic view of the Burj Al Arab down the shore.
- Jumeirah Public Beach — quieter, popular with families, some sections open late with floodlights.
- Al Mamzar Beach Park — a proper park with lawns, barbecue areas and five separate beaches; a small entry fee and worth it.
Palm Jumeirah
The palm-shaped island was built from dredged sand and rock, without steel or concrete in its structure. At its crown sits Atlantis with Aquaventure, among the largest waterparks in the world. The monorail runs the length of the trunk and gives the only cheap aerial view of the shape — from ground level the palm is invisible.
Burj Al Arab stands on its own artificial island nearby, 321 metres of sail-shaped hotel opened in 1999. The famous "seven stars" label was invented by a journalist; the hotel has never claimed it. You cannot enter without a restaurant or spa booking.
Abu Dhabi and beyond
- Saadiyat Island — the finest natural beach in the country, with hawksbill turtles nesting between March and June and dolphins offshore. Sections are protected; stay off marked dunes.
- Fujairah — the only emirate on the Gulf of Oman, and therefore the diving coast. Visibility is better than the Gulf side, and Snoopy Island off Al Aqah is a straightforward snorkel from the beach.
- Musandam — Oman's peninsula of steep cliffs and inlets, often called the Norway of Arabia. Day dhow cruises leave from Dibba, about two hours from Dubai. Take your passport: it is a border crossing.
Rules worth knowing
- Swimwear belongs on the beach and at the pool only. Cover up walking to and from — shops and taxis expect it, and some malls will refuse entry.
- Topless sunbathing is illegal everywhere in the UAE, including hotel beaches.
- Watch the flags. Rip currents are common and lifeguards patrol only city beaches; a red flag means out of the water.
- The midday sun is brutal from May to September. Locals use the beach after 4pm, and so should you.
- During Ramadan, beaches stay open but eating and drinking on them during daylight does not happen.