The Best Public Beaches in Dubai

Dubai is a city of many good things all rolled into one. It has massive skyscrapers, five-star luxury resorts, record-breaking tourist attractions and beautiful historical sites.

But if your idea of a perfect vacation involves the sun, sand and sea, Dubai also has more than 1,000 kilometers of shoreline to fulfill your beach daydreams.

Winter in Dubai is beach season because the weather is fair and the breeze is cooler. So, if you’re in the city from October to April, make sure to stop by these public beaches:

Jumeirah Public Beach

Address: Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours:

• 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM (Saturday to Wednesday)
• 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM (Thursday to Friday)

Jumeirah Public Beach attracts thousands of tourists every year not only because of its long stretch of sand and blue water but also because of its scenic views.

In fact, you’ve probably seen people taking photos on the beach with the Burj Al Arab in the background.

The locals call this beach Nessnass Beach and it has everything you need for a fun day out in the sun.

Aside from swimming, Jumeirah Public Beach also offers different outdoor activities for people of all ages to enjoy:

• Running and Cycling Tracks

If you want to explore this part of Jumeirah on a bicycle, you can rent one and ride through the 16-kilometer cycling track that merges with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Street and Jumeirah Street.

On the other hand, if you want to get some steps in by running, enjoy the cool breeze as you run on the 1.8-kilometer running track by the beach.

• Water Sports

If you’re into water sports, you’ll enjoy the many options that Jumeirah Public Beach has to offer.

Here, you can rent equipment to go paddleboarding, kayaking, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

• Shopping

After a day of lounging at the beach, you can shop at the Sunset Mall, which is just a few minutes away.

If you’d rather be on the beach after the sun sets, Jumeirah Public Beach is one of the few beaches where you can swim at night since the government installed huge floodlights.

You’ll also see lifeguards by the beach to make sure that everyone is safe, whether they’re swimming during the day or at night.

There are also changing rooms and public toilets in the area that you can use for free.

Pro tip:

If you plan on learning a new water sport during your visit to Jumeirah Public Beach, sign up for lessons at the Kite n Surf Kiosk.

If you’re visiting the beach as a group, take advantage of group bookings for water activities to save money.

If you want to enjoy the beach without the crowd, go during the weekdays since weekends can be quite busy.

Al Sufouh Beach

Address: Al Sufouh – Al Sufouh 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily

Some call it the Black Palace Beach because of its location while others prefer to call it the Secret Beach because it’s not as well known as its counterparts.

Whatever the name is, Al Sufouh Beach is a favorite among locals because it’s where they go to enjoy a peaceful day at the beach away from the crowd.

You can still see the beautiful Burj Al Arab from a distance, but the beach is mostly empty, so it’s perfect for taking a dip or just lounging by the beach.

Al Sufouh Beach is also ideal for an early morning walk or evening stroll since the place is relatively quiet.

But since this stretch of sand in Dubai isn’t as well known as the others, you won’t find many activities to do here except for swimming or going on a leisurely walk. 

Most people who visit Al Sufouh Beach go on family picnics or just a quiet day out in the sun.

Pro tip:

Since Al Sufouh Beach isn’t as buzzing with establishments as other public beaches, it’s best to bring your own food and drinks if you choose to spend the day here.

There are no direct bus and metro lines to the beach because of its secluded location. So, the easiest way to go to and from Al Sufouh Beach is by booking a taxi or renting a car.

Kite Beach

Address: Umm Suqeim – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily

From its name, you’ll already know what to expect when you visit Kite Beach. In fact, it’s easy to find it because of all the kite surfers enjoying the water.

But Kite Beach isn’t only for those who love kitesurfing because it also has other outdoor activities that you can enjoy. 

Of course, you can relax at one of the free sun loungers or go on a culinary adventure at the many food trucks in the area.

Here are some of the many things that you can do while you’re in Kite Beach:

• Kitesurfing

This area has good wind, so it’s a haven for kite surfers. Here, you can learn how to kitesurf by signing up for lessons at the Kitesurf School Dubai.

You can also rent gear and equipment at a kitesurf shop just by the beach.

• Kayaking and Paddleboarding

If you prefer less extreme water activities, you can go kayaking or paddleboarding by renting equipment at the Kite N’ Surf Shop with these rates:

Paddleboarding rental includes your own paddle board, paddle, leash and life jacket.

• Splash N Party Waterpark

If you’re visiting Kite Beach with your kids, make sure to stop by one of the best water parks in the city. 

Splash N Party Waterpark has many kid-friendly water activities like inflatable slides and splash pads that the little ones can enjoy.

You can even host themed birthday parties in the water park since they offer different packages for events and school outings.

Splash N Party Waterpark is open from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sundays to Thursdays and up to 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission costs AED 100 for the first adult and AED 50 for every extra adult that accompanies the kids.

• Volleyball

If you love playing volleyball, Kite Beach has several beach volleyball courts that you and your friends can use for free.

Just get there early to make sure that you can use the court first. And if you’re lucky, you could even participate in some sports leagues or watch the pros play.

• Skateboarding

If you’d rather be on a skateboard, head to the XDubai SkatePark at Kite Beach to enjoy profsesionally made courses for both beginners and professionals,

The skate park is open from 2:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Sundays to Thursdays and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

A day pass would cost you AED 45 while an XGrounders Membership for AED 1,000 would give you year-round access.

Pro tip:

Whether you want to go swimming or try the many water activities in Kite Beach, it’s best to go there early to get a good spot on the beach.

If you’re a foodie, don’t forget to check out the many food trucks in the area including SALT, which is one of the best in the city.

Sunset Beach

Address: Umm Suqeim – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily

Sunset Beach got its name for being one of the best spots in the city to see Dubai’s famous sunset.

Also known as Umm Suqeim Beach, this area attracts tourists because of its photo-worthy location, especially when the sun sets with the Burj Al Arab in the background.

But Sunset Beach also offers different amenities including:

• Running Track

Go on a run at Sunset Beach’s jogging track while you admire the beautiful water and the sun set. 

• Surfing

Sunset Beach is a popular spot for both beginner and professional surfers who want to catch a wave since this part of the city has stronger winds that create good waves.

If you want to learn how to surf, you can sign up for lessons with Surf House Dubai. They also offer kitesurfing lessons and equipment rental.

• Night Swimming

Sunset Beach is one of only a few beaches in Dubai where night swimming is allowed, thanks to the smart light posts that were installed in 2017.

• Wild Wadi Waterpark

Located just a few minutes away from Sunset Beach is one of the biggest water theme parks in the city.

Wild Wadi Waterpark is famous for its many rides, slides and attractions including its Master Blaster, Burj Surj and Wave Pool.

The waterpark is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Pro tip:

If you want to visit the Wild Wadi Waterpark or enroll for surfing lessons, it’s best to book ahead to secure your spot and ensure that you can maximize your time at Sunset Beach.

La Mer

Address: Jumeirah 1 – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily

La Mer isn’t just like any other beach in Dubai. It has become a beachfront lifestyle destination that offers everything you need: beach, dining, shopping and entertainment.

It’s easy to spot La Mer in Jumeirah because of its colorful cottages, surfboards and signage.

The entire La Mer complex covers more than 1.24 square meters of reclaimed land running beteen Pearl Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bay.

The area is also divided into La Mer North, La Mer South, La Mer Beach and The Wharf.

So, if you’re planning to visit La Mer, make sure to allocate an entire day for it, so you can really explore this beautiful beachfront community.

Although La Mer Beach is always open to the public, you’re only allowed to swim until sunset.

Here are some of the amenities that you can enjoy while on this popular beach in Dubai:

• Sunbed Rentals

If you’d rather be on a sunbed while in La Mer Beach, you can rent one at Sea Breeze for only AED 60 for a single sunbed.

You can also go for their bundle package that includes two sunbeds, an umbrella and two towels for only AED 180. 

You can also rent towels for just AED 20 with a deposit fee of AED 50. See Breeze is located at La Mer North and La Mer South.

Here, you can also enjoy outdoor and underground parking, although you need to come early before the parking area is full, especially on the weekends.

• Cabana Rentals

If you prefer some privacy while in La Mer beach, you can rent one of the four fully air-conditioned cabanas in the area for AED 600 for four people.

Every extra person is charged AED 100 with a maximum of six people for every cabana. Kids under 12 years old are free of charge.

You’re also required to make a deposit of AED 1,000, which will be refunded once you vacate the cabana and you didn’t incur any damages upon inspection.

If you’re renting a cabana at La Mer Beach, you can enjoy up to 20% discount on some restaurants, cafes and shops in its retail area. 

Just ask the establishment if they offer such a discount and present your receipt with the cabana rental, so you can enjoy these deals.

• Water Activities 

La Mer Beach has a long list of water activities that kids and adults can enjoy. So, if you’re up for an adventure on the water,here are some of your options:

Pro tip:

If you want to enjoy discounts on water activities at La Mer, make sure  to check out some deals online before your trip, especially if you’re travelling as a group. You can also take advantage of different packages for combo activities.

Mercato Beach

Address: Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Operating hours: Open 24 hours daily

Wrapping up this list is one of the more secluded and peaceful public beaches in Dubai.

Although it’s located in Jumeirah, Mercato Beach isn’t as crowded as La Mer or Jumeirah Public Beach, so a lot of locals come here to escape and enjoy some quiet time.

Since the beach is hidden behind a residential community, you can also expect that there are fewer facilities in this area as compared to its more bustling counterparts.

There are no rentals, water activities and attractions in Mercato Beach. You also won’t find any shops, restaurants or cafes in the area since it’s near a private neighborhood.

But the beach has changing rooms for you to take a shower and change clothes after swimming.

Despite its bareness, Mercato Beach is still a great place to visit, especially if you just wnat to spend a relaxing afternoon lounging on the beach or go swimming.

If you want to go shopping after, Mercato Mall is the nearest shopping center from the beach.

Pro tip:

Since there are no dining facilities on Mercato Beach, it’s best to pack your own food and drinks if you’re going on a picnic. You can also bring your own umbrellas or sunbeds since you can’t rent them in the area.

Night swimming is not allowed in Mercato Beach, so make sure to go early in the morning or in the afternoon if you want to maximize your time.