I know, beaches are perhaps not the priority places one thinks of on a trip to Dubai. Although Dubai is full of more lucrative places to visit like the Dubai Mall – the largest mall of the world. Or, Burj Khalifa – the tallest tower in the world. Beautiful theme parks like Legoland Dubai and some of the largest waterparks in the world. There is so much to do in Dubai which you can comfortably do indoors that we almost tend to forget to include some natural places to visit in Dubai.
Being a hard core nature lover. And an absolute fan of pristine beach vacations. When I was planning my trip to Dubai, I couldn’t resist researching and including some of the best beaches to explore in Dubai on my list. While I had the opportunity to visit some of these on my guided tours. But, I also squeezed in time to include some others on my free schedules during the trip.
Like you know, there is a limited number of free things to do in Dubai. The best part about including these beaches of Dubai in your Dubai trip itinerary is that most of these beaches of Dubai are free to visit. They are very beautiful. And can be visited in early morning or late evening hours, without disturbing the rest of the schedule for your day. So, do include some of these beaches in your own trip to Dubai.
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Best Public beaches in Dubai for family
Jumeirah Beach
The Jumeirah Beach is one of Dubai’s most popular and iconic beaches. It is particularly known for it’s pristine white sand and clear blue waters. As the name suggests, the beach extends along the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area. On the one hand, you can see the beautiful Dubai Marina skyline from here. And on the other end you can see the Arabian Gulf. On our first day doing a city tour of Dubai, we had a pit stop at Jumeirah Beach Dubai for around half an hour. Since the day was packed with several places to visit including the Heritage Village Dubai, The Dubai Mall including Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. So, we couldn’t spend much time on Jumeirah Beach Dubai. If I return back to Dubai some day, I will definitely like to spend more time here.
Kite Beach
If you search for the best public beaches in Dubai for family, Kite Beach will perhaps top the list. It is a stunningly beautiful beach. With very minimal slant, making it idle for swimming, even for kids. The waters are crystal clear and azure blue. While the sand is perfectly fine and white. Across the beach, there is a cycling / walking track beyond which you can see the residential areas. This beach is also a favorite spot for kite surfers, paddleboarders, and beachgoers seeking water sports and recreational activities. Jogging tracks, skate parks, volleyball courts, and beachfront cafes are some other prominent offerings on and around this beach.
We visited the kite beach on the second day of our trip to Dubai. Since we had a guided desert Safari trip in the second half of the day. The morning was practically free. So, we headed to this beach post breakfast. You can easily pack a picnic and spend hours on this beach, letting the kids play in the sand and waters as much as they like.
Sunset Beach
The sunset beach is such located that it offers unobstructed views of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel and the Arabian Gulf. And a stunning sunset view from across here. That explains the name of the beach. It is definitely one of the favourite when it comes to public beaches in Dubai for family. This beach is also a favourite spot for photographers owing to it’s stunning sunsets and a perfect location for romantic outings. Also, it’s a great place for jogging, swimming, and beach volleyball.
Black Palace Beach
Also known as Al Sufouh Beach, the black palace beach is located near the Al Sufouh area of Dubai. Unlike other beaches that are almost in the centre of the city, this one provides for a more secluded experience. With pristine sand and calm waters perfect for swimming and relaxation. The black palace beach makes for one of the best beaches for relaxing and tranquil experience. There is not much activity to do on this beach. As a family, if you want a private experience on a public beach, the black palace beach makes for a perfect spot to head to with a picnic basket, a set of changing cloths and beach towels and mats.
JBR Beach
The JBR Beach is located along the popular Jumeirah Beach Residence promenade, offering a lively and cosmopolitan beach experience. It is just the opposite of the Balck Palace Beach. Buzzing with activities as the day progresses. The beach features soft golden sand, clear turquoise waters, and a wide range of beachfront amenities. Some of these amenities include water sports, beach clubs, retail outlets and restaurants. Making it one of the most popular public beaches in Dubai for family. Visiting here reminded me of the Thannirbhavi beach that we visited in Mangalore on our coastal Karnataka road trip. Only this one is much more developed with modern facilities.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
It is not just one beach. But Al Mamzar beach park is a sprawling recreational park with four pristine beaches located in the Al Mamzar area of Dubai. The park features lush green spaces, barbecue areas, swimming pools, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making it an ideal destination for families and groups. The beaches offer calm waters and scenic views of the Gulf. You can easily spend one complete day in this area. No wonder it makes for one of the top public beaches to spend time with family in Dubai.
What are some of the facilities on the public beaches in Dubai for family
There are some basic facilities on the public beaches in Dubai for family which make the trip to these beaches even more convenient. Some of these include –
- Separate changing rooms for men and women.
- A dedicated area to wash your feet and clean yourself up before you exit the beach side.
- Washroom facilities.
- Beachside shacks and sun beds.
- Restaurants and cafes in the vicinity of the beach.
These facilities, especially the top 3 are practically non existent on most of the beaches in India. Which is a main pain point for me when visiting the beaches in India. Of all the beautiful beaches including the likes of Radhanagar Beach that I visited on my trip to Andaman, the several famous beaches of Goa and the beaches of Pondicherry, the only beach where I have seen such facilities is the Eden Beach in Pondicherry. But unfortunately, there also the washrooms were locked up. Having such facilities on the beach side means you can conveniently spend hours on the beach with kids without having to worry about the basics.
Apart from Dubai, if you visit Abu Dhabi, there are some equally stunning beaches to visit in Abu Dhabi as well. Not all of these are free. Some are accessible at a moderate cost. But still they come much more cheaper than the other famous attractions of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. So, in conclusion, I highly recommend adding at least one beach day in your trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Apart from beaches there are several other free and natural activities to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If you are a lover of nature, then do include some of them in your trip to Dubai or when you are visiting Abu Dhabi. Checkout my list of top 30 free things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Most of which are related to exploring the natural surroundings of this region.