7 Dubai beaches you won’t want to miss

Dubai may be known for its glittering skyscrapers, maze-like shopping malls and sprawling deserts, but it’s also a seaside city with some of the best beaches in the world. 

From public beaches to luxurious resorts and glamorous beach clubs, Dubai’s golden coastline has something for every type of beachgoer, whether you want to get your heart rate up or lie back with a cocktail. Set against a backdrop of warm waters, year-round sunshine and the holiday feeling this city does so well, here are seven of the best Dubai beaches, including resorts and beach clubs. 

Kite Beach

This long stretch of sand in Jumeirah district is one of the city’s most popular public beaches. With umbrellas and recliners to rent, shower and toilet facilities and access ramps for prams and wheelchair users, it’s the perfect place for a family beach day. Kite Beach is also one of Dubai’s most active beaches, with running and cycling tracks, volleyball and padel courts, a skate park, and rental shops for paddleboarding, kayaking, and as the name suggests, kitesurfing. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll find a good selection of food trucks serving Lebanese street food, açaí bowls, burgers and more. 

 Al Sufouh Beach aka “Secret Beach” 

This serene spot, which has views of the Palm Jumeirah, may have been a secret at one point, but these days interest in its crystal-clear waters is growing. Still, you’ll find Al Sufouh Beach relatively crowd-free, as it’s one of the city’s more low-key public spots. Come prepared with cold drinks, snacks and shade, and you’ll be able to happily while away the hours here.

Summersalt

This beach club at the Jumeirah Al Naseem resort is situated on one of Dubai’s loveliest expanses of soft white sand. Not only is the Peruvian Japanese cuisine served here exceptional – think crispy rice topped with spicy tuna tartare, rock shrimp tempura, and lobster salad with a truffle vinaigrette – but the views of the towering Burj Al Arab are as good as they get. Day passes to Summersalt are available and include credit to spend on food and drinks but be sure to book in advance – demand is usually high. 

Palm West Beach

Located on the trunk of the tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach features an array of hotels, restaurants and shiny new beach clubs. For a taste of the Greek islands, head to adults-only Kyma , where crowds come for the macramé parasols, sun loungers and sea-facing pool and stay for the mezze, seafood and cocktails. A little further along is Sān Beach , another grown-up option with a laid-back mood on weekdays that is transformed by live music and DJs at the weekend.

Nikki Beach Dubai

The somewhat industrial views on the journey to Nikki Beach Dubai may not be the most inspiring, but once you’re there, it’s a completely different world. Think rosé-all-day vibes, live music, DJs, generous sushi platters, and turquoise waters to splash around in. Put on your best bikini, gather a group of friends, and splurge on a glam day in one of the club’s new VIP pool cabanas. Also worth a visit is the new  Bungalo34 restaurant in the main resort, which pairs cheery design, friendly service and excellent Mediterranean cuisine with dreamy views out to sea.  

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark

Step onto the sand at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi and you’ll feel instant holiday vibes. One of the most established resort districts in the city, its 900m beach is home to Le Méridien, the Westin, and the brand-new W Dubai Mina Seyahi. While the beach is largely family-friendly with a small lighthouse-themed waterpark in the middle, there are several adults-only spots for those seeking peace and quiet, not to mention a huge selection of restaurants and bars. Barasti is one of Dubai’s more raucous beach clubs, with DJs, live bands and regular events. A calmer option is the Fish Beach Taverna , which serves delicious Greek and Turkish seafood, but when it comes to pizza, Bussola is hard to beat.

Park Hyatt Dubai

Located alongside Dubai Creek, the “beach” at the Park Hyatt Dubai is actually an elevated 100m lagoon-style pool, but it has enough sand and palm trees to make you believe you’re really on the seafront. While the hotel fuses Arabic and Aegean-inspired architecture, the mood at beach club Twiggy is more Côte d’Azur, with a menu of seafood platters, Gillardeau oysters and Beluga caviar, as well as sushi and lobster rolls delivered directly to your sunbed. Be sure to stay until sunset – the view over the creek will round off your day perfectly.