The Best Public Beaches: from Popular to Secret

A relatively new and very popular beach: clean, well-maintained, decorated with Instagram-worthy street-art. There is a promenade with a huge variety of eateries; a large parking lot, toilets, changing rooms, charging stations.

For fun: head for Laguna Waterpark and trampoline park Hawa Hawa with air-filled trampolines shaped like dunes.

To relax: rent a sunbed and an umbrella (100 AED) or a cabana (from 600 AED), or have a cocktail in Sea Spice Beach Club.

Free entrance. Entrance fee for the waterpark (including food and beverages): 195 AED (at the door), 99–125 AED (online). Parking: 30 AED per hour, free for clients of La Mer restaurants (keep a receipt).

Foodie tips: a hip eatery Catch 22, a cafe with Emirati food with Indian twist Sikka, an American restaurant with great desserts and burgers Sugar Factory.

This beach, surrounded by a lush park, has been awarded the blue flag status (a big deal for a beach). You can rent a sun-lounge, a chalet with a barbeque area, or even a private, air-conditioned beach bungalow. Or you can simply escape the heat in the shade of the trees.

An alternative to breaking the waves is getting into one of the 3 giant swimming pools.

Mondays and Wednesdays are only for women with kids (boys up to 6 years only).

Entrance fee: 5 AED (40 AED if you drive in).

Foodie tips: there are a lot of cafes, but you can also bring a picnic or use a public barbeque.

One of the biggest and the most popular beaches in Dubai stretches along The Walk, a promenade lined with boutiques and restaurants. The beach is extremely instagrammable because of the view at Dubai Ain and skyscrapers.

Perfect for kids: the beach goes into the sea gradually and there are splendid water play areas. Adults can rent jet skis, a kayak, a pedal boat, a surf, a flyboard, a parasail, a paddle board or a banana, or workout in a free outdoor gym. Toilets and changing rooms are clean and comfortable.

Free entrance. If you rent a sunbed (110 AED) you can use showers for free. Parking: 30 AED per hour.

Foodie tips: The Walk offers a great variety of restaurants. Lebanese Al-Maeda and European The Talk to name just a few. For local fast food head to Operation Falafel or Zaatar W. Zeit.

A clean and well-kept beach with a sporty active vibe. People come here to play beach volleyball and football, for kayaking and naturally for kitesurfing. You can rent equipment and hire an instructor to try your hand at kitesurfing or simply take some photos of colorful kites with Burj-Khalifa in the background.

Free entrance.

Foodie tips: There are lots of food trucks and cafes around. Burgers from a food truck SALT are a local legend.

This white-sand beach is home to the local surfers’ community (you can rent a board to become part of it). Toilets, showers, changing cubicles, free Wi-Fi, sunbed rent. One of the quieter spots along the coast and one of the best views over Burj Al Arab.

Free entrance.

Foodie tips: Beachcombers — a family-friendly pan-Asian restaurant with a seaview.

Usually described as “the secret beach” and unknown even to some locals, this stretch of sand is nestled between the royal residences with a view of the flock of super yachts. Black Palace or Sufouh beach is usually quite solitary (maybe a little bit less in the last few years since the place has been a home to motorhomes camping). The shallow waters make it a great spot for families with children.

Free entrance.

Foodie tips: bring a picnic.

A faraway natural beach near the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort. It can only be accessed by car or a taxi, so not many tourists get here, but locals love this place. Great spot for those who prefer to keep it simple and solitary. There are changing rooms and toilets, but no sunbed and cabanas rent.

Free entrance.

Foodie tips: bring a picnic.

A small and quiet beach in a residential area: most of the visitors are local families. Less crowded than other Dubai beaches and less equipped (and often less clean). There are toilets and changing facilities and even a small beach library, but no sunbed rent, shops, or restaurants.

Free entrance.

Foodie tips: No cafes here, but you can walk awhile to Al Ijaza Cafeteria: a place may look shabby but it has been famous for its shawarmas and juices for 25 years. Another option is Jumeirah Fishing Harbor with its restaurants serving fresh seafood with a seaview.