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Skyscrapers as tall as the eyes can see, supercars all around, sand dunes glistening under the hot Middle East sun, glittery shopping malls and districts is what comes to your mind at the mention of Dubai, isn’t it? For an Indian traveller whether it’s with family, solo or with friends, Dubai is like a stepping stone to international travelling, thanks to its welcoming vibe for budget as well as luxury travellers.
Situated on the edge of the Arabian Gulf, this multitasking UAE destination is also a beachgoer’s paradise. With idyllic weather almost all year round, Dubai’s pristine beaches have become one of its major draw cards. If you think it’s just the most-photographed JBR beach that Dubai has to offer, here is a beach-hopping guide:
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Kite Beach
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One of the sportiest beaches in Dubai, this huge and wide beach boasts plenty of room for everyone. Get here for a spot of beach volleyball or try your balance at stand-up paddle-boarding and kayaking. There are plenty of non-aqua activities, including a skate park, an outdoor trampoline and a toddler-friendly area. This is a top spot for a family beach holiday. Plus, there’s also the all-new human slingshot from XDubai. Want to walk or jog along the coastline? Kite Beach’s 14km track is the perfect spot. After all that exercise and working up an appetite you can gorge at some of the city’s best street food stalls and food trucks including SALT and Taste of Brazil.
La Mer
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Dubai’s newest beachside destination gives a whole lot of colourful Miami vibes. As you enter, the lively fountains, bespoke boutiques, and cutesy cafes make way towards the beach. This lively dining, shopping, and entertainment precinct promise the perfect day by the sea, with scores of eateries, colourful cabanas for hire, Instagram-worthy art installations with colourful murals, a trampoline playground for the kids, and the brand new Laguna Waterpark, which boasts five waterslides, a Lazy River ride and a surf machine. Choose from the North Beach or South Beach, which each have colourful shower cabins adding to the sea-fresh theme. There are plenty of water sports to try too, including wakeboarding, fly boarding and kayaking. After a day out in the sun, walk in to one of their gelato parlours or for a humble portion of crepes in the equally colourful cafes. Everything you’ll look here would be picturesque so make sure to click a lot of pictures!
The JBR Beach
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Sandwiched between the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina in the south, the beach at JBR is the coolest place to spend a lazy day at the beach with its blend of restaurants, retail and barefoot fun. There’s a cushioned jogging track, outdoor gym, and water sports hub to keep you busy if you want to work it out in the backdrop of the Ain Dubai Observation Wheel coming up soon. For something more chilled, unfurl your towel on the smooth sand, hire a cabana, or find a patch of lawn at the southern end of the strip. In the evenings, the beach is also home to open-air markets, plus free yoga sessions. Head down at sunset to snap camels against a backdrop of skyscrapers.
Sunset Beach
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Seen a lot of quintessential ‘holding up the Burj Al Arab’ photograph? Here’s where they all are taken! Backdropped by the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, Sunset Beach sits between the Arabian Gulf and Umm Suqeim Park (it’s also known as Umm Suqeim Beach). The free beach is a perpetual hive of activity and one of the emirate’s most beautiful stretches of sand. Sunset Beach is serviced by washrooms, showers and changing cubicles, plus Smart Palms that supply free Wi-Fi to beachgoers. For those looking to catch a wave, it’s also Dubai’s only real surfing beach ideal for beginners. Head to nearby Surf House Dubai to rent a board if you’re into surfing.
Black Palace Beach
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This one’s perched right next to one of Dubai’s Royal residences and hence gets the name Black Palace Beach. A little hard to find and very less spoken about, all you need to do is follow the pathway to discover an untouched shoreline featuring views of the Burj Al Arab in the distance. Situated in Al Sufouh, this drive-up spot offers the calmest waters and the most stunning sunsets in the city. Follow the track leading from Jumeirah Beach Road between the Royal Fortresses, and you’ll find a low-key beach that’s a favourite among locals. While there are no facilities at this beach, it’s a great place to escape the bustle of the city.