The 5 BEST Beaches in Dubai (2024)

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It’s hard to say when to visit the beaches in Dubai. Because it’s sunny all year round, any time is perfect for topping up your tan and taking a dip! February to April is the peak season when temperatures are manageable but still hot. It’s quieter between June and September, but temperatures can tip 40 degrees here.

When travelling to Dubai, it may be best to hit the beaches in the morning and afternoon. When the sun is at its hottest (between midday and about 3 pm), it can tire you out – especially if you’re not used to the heat. Luckily, there are loads of great indoor things to do in Dubai that will keep you occupied until you can get back out onto the sand! All restaurants, hotels, malls, and anything else you can think of are air-conditioned, making it easy to cool off if the sun gets too much.

• Who It’s For: Families and groups of friends who want to have lots of choices when it comes to things to do.
• Don’t Miss: Dubai Aqua Park – an inflatable water park. Super fun for those with children!

JBR Open Beach is the biggest public beach in Dubai. Usually, size doesn’t matter, but in Dubai, this one is still king! This is the place to go if you want water activities, family-friendly areas as well as lots of places to eat and drink.

Here’s where you’ll spot some of the most glamorous and glitzy cars in Dubai. You probably won’t be able to go for a spin in one of them, but you’ll be able to ride a camel; this is one of the more unique ways to see this popular Dubai beach. It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Dubai so either way, you’ll most likely be visiting JBR Open Beach at some point during your trip.

• Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to escape from the crowds on Dubai’s secret undeveloped beach.
• Don’t Miss: While some people might find the idea of no sun loungers, vendors, or bathrooms abhorrent, this place calls to the traveller who wants to get off the beaten track.

Yes, it’s possible – even in a huge city like Dubai! The lack of development is unusual here, but it provides a welcome breather. There’s even a view of the Burj al Arab! Set your map to the Al Sufouh Area and you’ll find Black Palace Beach. It’s also known as Secret Beach or Sufouh Beach and it’s one of the best beaches in Dubai.

Remember, Dubai in the summer is basically a large oven cooker, so it is worth addressing the appropriate Dubai safety concerns before you go. It’s not all a gorgeous beach holiday! Things get steamy y’all.

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• Who It’s For: Families and children will be delighted with not only the beach, but the swimming pools, playground, and picnic area too. Best part? They’re all free!
• Don’t Miss: A barbeque in one of the park’s air-conditioned beach huts. Cool down with some delicious food!

Right on the north tip of a peninsula to the north of the city, looking over into Sharjah, you’ll find Al Mamzar Beach, one of the best beaches to add to your Dubai itinerary. There are four separate sections that the whole family can enjoy, each watched over by a lifeguard. There are lots of facilities too, so you can head back to your hotel or Airbnb completely sand-free! It’s good for historical sightseeing as it’s close to Deira – the original heart of Dubai.

• Who It’s For: Whether you enjoy kite surfing or simply flying a kite, the windiest beach in Dubai is perfect for you.
• Don’t Miss: The food trucks that pull up here during the day and in the evening. There are plenty of dishes to choose from.

The sportiest beach in Dubai isn’t just great for kite surfers; there’s stand-up paddleboarding here, and kayaking too! Prefer to stay on dry land? You can still take part in sports with volleyball courts, a skate park, and an outdoor trampoline area. Unsurprisingly, this is another popular spot for families due to the sheer amount of fun activities on offer.

• Who It’s For: Want to feel like a movie star? La Mer is for you – and you have lots of entertainment on your doorstep.
• Don’t Miss: Getting one of the Day Room airconditioned cabins. They’ve got a pre-filled mini-fridge.

The exclusive La Mer Beach is a little more upmarket than the other beaches in Dubai that are on our list. The beach is taken care of around the clock – just feel how smooth it is as you head down to the gentle blue waves and warm waters! There are sun loungers and even day rooms here – the ultimate luxury. The cabins are equipped with air-conditioning – perfect for the hottest times of the day!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Dubai

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If you’re worried about your safety in Dubai, or the UAE in general, you can look into that topic a bit deeper with our insider guides:

• How to Avoid Trouble in the UAE
• Is Dubai Safe?

Having your bag packed properly before you start your travels is the most important step to a successful trip. If you’re not sure what to bring, check out the list below or have a look at our Dubai Packing List. Heads up: One thing you’ll definitely need is sunscreen!

1. Security Belt with Hidden Pocket: I never hit the road without my security belt. This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. This is hands down the best way to hide your cash.

 2.Travel Water Bottle: Always travel with a water bottle – it’ll save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl geopress is a true behemoth amongst water bottles acting as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

3. Microfibre Towel: It’s always worth packing a proper towel. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

4. Headtorch: Every backpacker should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. Currently, I’m using the Petzl Actik Core rechargeable headlamp – an awesome piece of kit! Because it’s USB chargeable I never have to buy earth polluting batteries.

5.Hammock: Taking a tent and pad on a road trip are not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy, and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. Right now, I’m rocking an Eno parachute hammock – it’s light, colorful and tough.

6. Toiletry Bag: I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as it’s a super efficient way to organise your bathroom stuff. Well worth having, whether you are hanging it from a tree whilst camping, or a hook in a wall, it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.

Now that you know more about the best beaches in Dubai, you’ll have a better idea of how to plan your trip. One of the great things about this Emirati city is that all these beaches are close together. So, if you’re travelling for a week or two, there’s no reason you can’t visit every beach on our list!

Not only that, but you’ll be able to enjoy all the other attractions Dubai is famous for, including the tallest building in the world (the Burj Khalifa), its many shops and malls, and you might even get out into the desert.

However you choose to spend your time in Dubai, be sure to make the most of its clean and sunny beaches. We hope you have an incredible vacation to the United Arab Emirates!

Right then, if you’re unsure, check out our Dubai vs Qatar post to see where you’d prefer.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!