The Best Private Beaches: Pools, Cocktails, DJs

Pricier but also more luxurious than other private beaches. A kilometre of golden sand, private cabanas, temperature-controlled swimming pools (a family-friendly one and an adults-only one), a pool bar, a restaurant, and a beach club Drift — all surrounded by lavish gardens. Beach and pool catering.

Day pass: adults: 420 AED, kids: 370 AED, or 315 AED and 240 AED respectively if you book in advance. A sunbed, an umbrella, and fresh fruits included. Check the site for the latest information and special offers.

Riva Beach Club located on the Palm Jumeirah with a breathtaking view of the Persian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab and downtown Dubai. You can take a spot by the swimming pool or lay your towel on one of the many sun loungers on the beach which is 300 metres long. In addition to the private beach, you will also have access to the pools (there is one specially for kids). The place is popular so make a reservation.

Day pass: pool access only — 95 AED for adults and 50 AED for kids on weekdays, 125 AED and 65 AED on weekends, respectively. Pool and beach access costs 125 AED for adults and 65 AED for kids on weekdays and 175 AED and 90 AED on weekends, respectively.

You will find a wide variety of paid luxurious beaches at the Palm Jumeirah island. Nasimi Beach is one of the most praised.

A chilled-out beach by day, one of the hottest beach clubs with local and international DJs, playing house and techno — by night. Nasimi Beach is also known as White beach. Everything is actually white here — from extremely fine sand to décor. The beach features an infinity pool, a fancy outdoor restaurant and an open-air terrace perfect for sipping a cocktail. Nasimi beach boasts one of the most picturesque locations with Atlantis, The Palm hotel as a backdrop and a view of the Marina skyline. Free parking lot.

Day pass: 150 AED on weekdays and 300 AED on Fridays. Includes a sunbed. Redeemable against food and beverages. Check the site for latest news and special offers (for example, Ladies day).

The Polynesian-style beach: 500-metres stretch of sand, surrounded by lavish greenery with few pools. Sofitel, the Palm resort also houses restaurants and a spa. You can order snacks and drinks without leaving your sunbed with a view of the Dubai skyline. For an additional fee, you can go kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling and so on. There is also a fun water area just for kids.

Day pass: adults: 150 AED, kids: 80 AED. Redeemable against food and beverages. Sunbed and access to the pool included. Check the site for latest news and special offers.

A beach with double width sunbeds, cabanas, a restaurant serving Spanish, Greek, and Turkish cuisine, a pool bar — and an extremely instagrammable pool.

Day pass: ladies: 100 AED, gentlemen: 150 AED on weekdays; ladies: 150 AED, gentleman: 250–400 AED on weekends. Redeemable against food and beverages. Check the site for the latest information and special offers.

A relatively small private beach attached to the Ritz-Carlton hotel offers an intimate and luxurious setting with views of Palm Jumeirah and Bluewaters Island. Visitors have their choice of a sunbed or cabana, with umbrellas, towels and water provided. There is also a pool, spa, fitness centre and children’s club.

A day pass: 350 AED for adults and 200 AED for kids on weekdays, 500 AED for adults and 300 AED for kids on weekends.

A private beach of fine white sand and swimming pools located in the Dubai Marina in landscaped gardens shaded by palm trees. Sheraton also features a wide range of water activities as well as a children's club.

Day pass: 99  AED (one of the best beach access deals!).

Part of the famous international franchise, a trendy luxurious beach club with plush sunbeds with a view of the sea or the Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa. There is also a restaurant serving excellent fusion dishes and naturally a pool.

Day pass: 150 AED on weekdays, 300 AED on weekends. Check the site for the latest information and special offers.

A huge beach with a party vibe during the day and one of the most famous Dubai beach clubs — after dark. Zero Gravity boasts a 39 metres glass-fronted infinity swimming pool (where Lindsay Lohan and Justin Bieber had been spotted, as local media say), a bar, a restaurant, and an event space which has featured many famous DJs. There are beach barbeque cabanas for a private picnic. Every Tuesday ladies get free access (reservation via email required).

Day pass: adults: 100–299 AED, kids: 75 AED. Redeemable against food and beverages. Pool access included. Check the site for the latest information and special offers.

About 30 minutes out into the Arabian Gulf there is an archipelago of World Islands, mostly incomplete and uninhabited yet. A chance to visit this extravagant spot with an unbeatable 180-degree view of Dubai's skyline is booking a trip to The Royal Island Beach Club. There is a kids’ play area, a swimming pool and a restaurant.

Day pass: 200 AED for adults and 100 AED for kids. Boat transportation (from Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1), sunbed and umbrella usage. Entry is complimentary for children under 5. Kayaks are available for 100 AED per hour. Check the site for latest news and special offers.