The best beaches in Dubai, and the swim spots you reach by yacht
Over a decade in luxury hospitality and the yacht industry, planning private yacht events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Short answer: The best beaches in Dubai are JBR Beach for a lively day out, Kite Beach for sport and space, and Sunset Beach in Umm Suqeim for the view of the Burj Al Arab. All three are free. For a night swim, Dubai Municipality’s lit beaches at Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1 stay open from sunset to sunrise. Al Sufouh Beach (Black Palace Beach) is closed to the public, and the quietest water of all is reached by yacht, at anchor off the Palm Jumeirah.
The best beaches in Dubai at a glance
| Beach | Area | Entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| JBR Beach | Dubai Marina | Free (loungers to rent) | Cafés, crowds, views of Ain Dubai |
| Kite Beach | Umm Suqeim | Free | Sport, running track, sunset |
| Sunset Beach | Umm Suqeim | Free | The Burj Al Arab photo |
| Jumeirah Public Beach | Jumeirah | Free | A quick swim, floodlit at night |
| Night swimming beaches | Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1 | Free | Swimming after dark |
| Al Mamzar Beach Park | Al Mamzar | Small entry fee | Families, calm lagoons |
| Al Sufouh (Black Palace) Beach | Al Sufouh | Closed until further notice | Seen from a yacht instead |
Check opening times and local notices before you go: beach access in Dubai changes with works and new projects. La Mer, for example, has had parts closed for refurbishment.
JBR Beach: the liveliest beach in Dubai
JBR Beach, in front of Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai Marina, is the busiest beach in the city: white sand, loungers and umbrellas to rent, and a promenade of cafés and restaurants behind it. Ain Dubai and Bluewaters sit to one side and the Palm Jumeirah on the horizon. Come early in the season’s weekends if you want space on the sand.
Kite Beach and Sunset Beach: space and the Burj Al Arab
Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim is the residents’ favourite: a long free beach with a running and cycling track, water sports and food trucks. A little further along, Sunset Beach gives the classic view of the Burj Al Arab from the sand, best in the last hour of daylight. Jumeirah Public Beach, closer to the city, is a good stop for a quick swim with the same skyline.
Night swimming beaches in Dubai
Night swimming in Dubai is allowed only on designated beaches. Dubai Municipality has opened 800-metre night swimming beaches at Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1, with lighting and safety screens, open from sunset to sunrise. Visit Dubai also lists floodlit night swimming at Kite Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach. Swim only inside the marked areas.
Al Sufouh Beach (Black Palace Beach): closed, but not from the sea
Al Sufouh Beach, known as Black Palace Beach or Secret Beach, was loved for its quiet water with the Burj Al Arab on one side and the Palm Jumeirah on the other. Visit Dubai lists it as closed to the public until further notice. The view has not gone anywhere: on a private yacht from Dubai Harbour, the coast between the Palm and the Burj Al Arab fits into a 4-hour route. See the best places to see from a yacht in Dubai.
The swim spots you reach by yacht
The calmest water in Dubai is not on a public beach. On a private yacht, the captain anchors in a sheltered spot, usually along the outer crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, and you swim straight from the swim platform: no crowds, shade on deck, cold drinks and towels on board. Swimming from the yacht is possible until 6 pm, so the swim stop is planned before sunset.
Water toys such as a jet ski or a seabob can be added, and on a full day charter you can stop for longer and have lunch at anchor. Families should read our guide to a yacht trip with kids.
Beach or yacht: which one for your day?
| Public beach | Private yacht | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free on most beaches | From AED 1,300 per hour excl. VAT, 3 to 4-hour minimum, shared by your group |
| Crowds | Busy at weekends | Only your guests |
| Swimming | Day, or at night on lit beaches | At anchor until 6 pm |
| Shade, drinks, towels | Bring or rent | On board, with captain and crew |
| Views | One beach, one view | Ain Dubai, the Palm, Atlantis and the Burj Al Arab in one trip |
For a birthday, a group of friends or a family day, a yacht turns a beach day into a private one. See Dubai yacht charter: the fleet and prices, or yacht rental from Dubai Harbour.
Quick answers
What is the best beach in Dubai?
It depends on what you want: JBR Beach for a lively day with cafés and views of Ain Dubai, Kite Beach for sport and a long running track, and Sunset Beach in Umm Suqeim for the classic view of the Burj Al Arab. For a quiet swim away from the crowds, a yacht can anchor in calm water off the Palm Jumeirah.
Is Al Sufouh Beach (Black Palace Beach) open?
No. Visit Dubai lists Al Sufouh Beach, also called Black Palace Beach or Secret Beach, as closed to the public until further notice. The same stretch of coast, between the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab, can still be seen from a yacht.
Which beaches in Dubai allow night swimming?
Dubai Municipality runs lit night swimming beaches at Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3 and Umm Suqeim 1: 800-metre stretches with lighting and safety screens, open from sunset to sunrise. Visit Dubai also lists floodlit night swimming at Kite Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach.
Can you swim from a yacht in Dubai?
Yes. On an Odyssia charter the captain anchors in a calm spot, usually along the Palm Jumeirah, and guests swim from the yacht’s platform. Swimming from the yacht is possible until 6 pm, so plan the swim stop before sunset.
Alicia McKay, founder of Odyssia
Alicia has spent over a decade in luxury hospitality and the yacht industry. With her team she plans and runs private yacht events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for brands, companies and private clients, from sunset dinners to Grand Prix hospitality.
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