The main religion in Dubai is Islam. Despite the emirate's reputation for hospitality, respecting local culture and traditions is strictly regulated by law.
In public places, it is not allowed to openly display your emotions, whether it be affection or aggression. Revealing clothing is also prohibited. There are even designated women-only days when men are not allowed to visit certain public places. All of these rules apply to the beaches in Dubai Marina as well.
If you have a dog, it is important to note that Dubai Marina is not a pet-friendly area. There are signs on the promenades prohibiting walking with pets. If you visit a free beach with a pet, you will be fined for violating the rules.
How to behave on the beaches to avoid fines:
Women are not allowed to wear revealing swimsuits. Bikinis are permissible, but they should not be provocative. Men can wear swim trunks or shorts.
Topless sunbathing is not allowed on the beaches.
If you want to visit the beach with your whole family, Monday and Friday are women-only days, and only women with children, including boys up to 10 years old, are allowed entry.
Alcohol is not allowed to be brought on the beach or consumed publicly. If you want to have a cocktail, choose beaches with a designated bar area. Alcohol can only be consumed in designated areas.
Taking photos and videos of people without their consent is prohibited. If someone accidentally ends up in the shot, it is not a problem, but purposefully taking photos of others is not allowed. If someone asks you to delete a photo with them in it, you must comply.
The beaches in Dubai Marina offer well-maintained areas, white sand, clear blue water, and a variety of amenities. Palm trees have been planted along the beach and provide ample shade. There are covered playgrounds, banana boat and jet ski rentals, boats, and more. Nearby, there are spacious promenades and relaxation areas where you can buy ice cream, Arabian street food, non-alcoholic cocktails, and cold drinks.
Important! There are commission-free currency exchange points on the beaches, so you don't have to look for a place to exchange money.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entrance: free
Ladies' days: none
JBR Beach is very crowded and filled with entertainment. There are showers, toilets, and changing rooms available. Two sunbeds with an umbrella, towels, and access to showers costs AED 195 (USD 53), while a bungalow for four people with the same options costs AED 310 (USD 84). It is also possible to bring your own towel and sunbathe without renting a sunbed. Bringing food is allowed, but alcohol is prohibited.
JBR Beach offers a beautiful view of Ain Dubai, especially in the evening and at night when it is illuminated. In the evening, there is a special atmosphere on the beach: you can listen to the music from nearby cafes, and the air is filled with the aromas of delicious food and expensive perfumes from Arabian perfume shops. There is also a unique entertainment option here — the Flying Cup. It is a slowly rotating dining area designed for up to 16 people, which smoothly elevates to a height of 131 feet. .You can have dinner and enjoy the view of Dubai there for 20 minutes.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entrance: free
Ladies' days: none
This public beach is located at the beginning of The Walk promenade. Nearby, there are branded shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, cosy cafes, power bank rental stations, and indoor playgrounds. The changing rooms and toilets on the beach are free, while the shower costs AED 5 (USD 1.3). Two beach chairs with towels and an umbrella can be rented for AED 195 (USD 53). If you prefer, you can sunbathe with your own towel. Bringing food and non-alcoholic beverages is allowed.
Children will enjoy the inflatable water park AquaFun, which is located on the water near the shore. Adults can do some flyboarding, paddleboarding, and other activities. For young people, there is the Bla Bla Bar, where lively parties take place. For a romantic rendezvous or a family outing, you can rent a yacht for AED 300 (USD 82) per hour.
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 2:30 AM
Entrance: free
Ladies' days: Monday and Wednesday at the pool
This is one of the best party beaches in Dubai. The music never stops here, there are a lot of young people and there’s a constant festive atmosphere. On the premises, there are green gazebos with tables, a pool with a bar and a large screen where football matches are shown. Woven hammocks were placed on the shore in the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf where you can relax and take beautiful photos.
Important! If you are under 21 years old, you will not be allowed in without adult supervision. It is also not allowed to bring food and water to the beach. Security will check documents and bags at the entrance.
On Fridays, Barasti Beach turns into a nightclub, hosting themed parties. Entry to the dance floor is free for ladies and AED 150 (USD 41) for men. It is best to reserve a table several weeks in advance.
Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Entrance: Adults and children 12+ AED 250 (USD 68) on weekdays, AED 350 (USD 95) on weekends. Children aged 4-12 from AED 80 (USD 22) and up
Ladies' days: Monday and Wednesday
A quiet,well-maintained beach for those who appreciate a tranquil getaway. It is located within the premises of the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa. Compared to JBR Beach and Marina Beach, this beach is less crowded. There is a pool with a bar that serves alcohol and an outdoor restaurant that serves European cuisine, has a children's menu, and makes refreshing smoothies and cocktails.
On weekdays, the entrance ticket for one adult is AED 250 (USD 68), of which AED 150 (USD 40) is a deposit for food and drinks. On weekends, the deposit is AED 200 (USD 54). Each guest is provided with a sunbed and a towel. The beach has changing rooms, showers, and toilets.
Important! There is a kids' club for children. From 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, children's movies and cartoons are shown with free popcorn.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entrance fee: AED 40 (USD 11) for adults, AED 25 (USD 7) for children
Ladies' days: Monday and Wednesday
This beach is part of the 5-star Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort. It is located parallel to The Walk promenade, in the western part of the area. Sheraton Jumeirah Beach is suitable for those who prefer to avoid the noise and crowds. Compared to popular public beaches like Dubai Marina, it is almost deserted here. If you are not staying at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, there is an entrance fee to access the beach.
There are several pools with relaxation areas, as well as non-alcoholic drinks, changing rooms, showers, and toilets. The territory also includes a cafe and restaurant offering vegetarian and children's menus. When it comes to entertainment for adults, there are diving, flyboarding, and paddleboarding activities, while for children, there are well-equipped playgrounds with rubber surfaces and sunshades.
To find the perfect beach for yourself, it is better to visit several and then compare them. The best time to do this is on a weekday after 4 or 5 pm when the tourists are already heading home and you can relax with your family without the crowds. If you are not a fan of large crowds, it is better to go directly to a paid beach. The party beaches are better for party-goers and those who love noise and entertainment.
The high-season when many tourists visit is from December to February,so it is hard to find a vacant spot at the public beaches. The ideal period for locals is considered to be from late October to early December and from March to April. The air temperature during these months stays around 30-35 degrees Celsius with perfect humidity, and the water is evenly warmed.