Abu Dhabi basks in sunshine year-round and boasts a stunning coastline with numerous inviting beach destinations. While the intense summer heat in the Middle East makes beach outings less appealing from June to September, by October, the weather transforms into ideal conditions for enjoying the sand and sea all through the winter.
That said, access to Abu Dhabi’s beautiful beaches has become increasingly restricted, with fewer free options available for residents and visitors. Many of the city’s prime beachfront locations now require entry fees or are attached to resorts, making it harder to enjoy the shoreline without cost.
While this shift limits public access, it doesn’t detract from the undeniable beauty of Abu Dhabi’s beaches, ranging from serene island escapes to vibrant city shores.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the best beach spots in Abu Dhabi, whether you’re seeking a luxurious retreat or a scenic public stretch of sand to sink your toes into.
1. Saadiyat Beach
Saadiyat Beach is undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in Abu Dhabi and a contender for the best beach in the Middle East. Its crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand rival those of the Maldives. However, don’t be deceived by calm mornings; depending on the weather, the waves can be pretty intense by mid-afternoon.
Stretching over 4 kilometres, the dazzling white coral sand beach is divided between several luxury beach resorts, a high-end beach club, and two public beach areas. It’s a great place for long strolls, collecting seashells, sunbathing, and swimming.
If you’re lucky, you might spot a dolphin or two or even baby hawksbill turtles as they hatch from the numerous nesting sites along the beach.
Let’s take a closer look at the different areas of Saadiyat Beach:
Mamsha Beach Saadiyat (previously Soul Beach)
Situated near the St. Regis Hotel, Mamsha Beach is a one-kilometre stretch of sun loungers overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
The entry fee is now a staggering AED 125 weekdays and AED 200 on weekends, which gives you a sunbed and umbrella for the whole day. And not a whole lot more. Sure, it’s beautiful, but….
There are toilets and showers, and soft drinks and fruit can be purchased on-site. Each sun lounger also has a scannable QR code that links to the substantial and deliciously tempting menu from Saadiyat Beach Club. Any food ordered arrives by golf buggy but can take time as it has to travel some distance.
Flanking the beach is the Al Mamsha development, with numerous shops and cafes where you can buy items to take away (including a very nice vegan cafe directly opposite the main entrance to the beach). There is no playground, but there is a trampoline for the kids.
It’s a lovely, clean beach that allows you to access Saadiyat’s beautiful waters. The beach is open daily from 7:00 AM to Sunset.
Note that the entry fee here doesn’t include car parking, bear in mind if you”ll be parking here all day you’re looking t a further AED 10 per hour
Kai Beach
Replacing what used to be Saadiyat Public Beach and BAKE, Kai Beach brings another trendy beachfront location to the capital (albeit locals are still fuming that another of our free public beaches here was taken away, and parking is a nightmare).
Here, the team from Saadiyat Beach Club delivers ‘barefoot luxury’: sun beds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, and changing rooms accessible via boardwalks behind the dunes at the top of the beach.
Delicious bites and a variety of beverages, including alcohol, are available from Kai Beachfront Restaurant. Shisha is also available and can be ordered for your sunbed. No outside food and drinks or beach mats are permitted, but part of your entry fee is redeemable on F&B)
| Weekdays | Weekends & Public Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Ladies | AED 125 (AED 50 redeemable) | AED 200 (AED 50 Redeemable) |
| Gents | AED 125 (AED 50 redeemable) | AED 200 (AED 50 Redeemable) |
| Children 6-12 years | AED 60 (AED 25 redeemable) | AED 100 (AED 25 Redeemable) |
| Infants (5 and under) | Free | Free |
NB – Fridays are Miss Kai Day and reserved for ladies only for AED 150
Open daily from 7:00 AM to Sunset.
Saadiyat Beach Hotels
If you’re looking for exclusivity, a stay at one of Saadiyat’s luxury 5 star resorts is what you need for the perfect beach holiday in Abu Dhabi.
The St. Regis, Park Hyatt, and Jumeirah hotels all offer top-quality accommodation, dining options, and spa facilities with pool and beach bar service.
The Saadiyat Rotana and Rixos Premium are other great options, which are particularly well suited to families with young children; the latter being Abu Dhabi’s only true all-inclusive hotel.
Several of these resorts also offer private villa and pool options.
Beach access is usually from 8:00 AM until sunset, but some hotels vary depending on the season and hotel occupancy. If staying at one of these hotels isn’t within your budget (as they are amongst some of the most pricey hotels in the UAE), day passes are available and start at AED 250.
For more information about the various day passes on offer, check out the links below:
- Jumeirah Saadiyat Day Pass
- Park Hyatt Resort Day Pass
- Rotana Resort Saadiyat Day Pass
- St. Regis Saadiyat Resort Day Pass
- Rixos Premium Resort Saadiyat
Saadiyat Beach Club
Saadiyat Beach Club is the height of luxury with several fine dining options as well as beach and pool access. Beautiful changing facilities, a gym, saunas, steam rooms, and jacuzzis are available for use, and a beauty spa and hairdressing salon are on site.
Throw in a kids’ club with a shallow pool with water features as well as a playground, and we’ve got the perfect luxury beach day out for all the family!
- Day passes are available for AED 215 female or AED 275 males, or AED 399 for a couple during the week – with partial F&B redemption. Children aged 7-17 years pay AED 100, while children under 7 are free.
- Prices rise to AED 375 for the guys or AED 499 for a couple and AED 150 for children over 7 at weekends. Family passes are AED 699 or look for their combined brunch offers..
- Ladies, they often run specials, currently; Tuesdays all day AED 199 with free-flow beverages 12:00 – 4:00PM; Friday AED 150 day passes.
Safety at Saadiyat Beach
All of the hotels, Soul Beach and Saadiyat Beach Club, employ lifeguards, but there are sections of the beach where lifeguards are not present. Whilst it is possible to walk the length of the beach from the St. Regis Hotel (in the direction of Saadiyat Jumeirah), we do not recommend swimming in areas not monitored by lifeguards.
2. The Corniche Beaches
The most easily accessible beach in Abu Dhabi is the Corniche Public Beach, which runs parallel to the famous Corniche Road. This long sandy beach is flanked by verdant gardens set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s impressive skyline.
The beach is protected by an artificial breakwater, which makes it particularly suitable for families with smaller children, as there are no strong currents. However, the minimal tidal range does mean that the sand close to the shore has a mossy feel underfoot, which some people find a little disconcerting.
The beach is divided into sections for the general public, ladies, and families, each with its own amenities. Below are highlighted these sections and where to access them.
Al Bahar Beach
The A’l Bahar area of the Corniche starts beside the Nation Riviera Beach Club. It is characterized by the large number of converted shipping containers that serve as food and beverage outlets. The beach is located directly opposite the Abu Dhabi breakwater, and the shallow, calm waters make it a great place for swimming.
Al Bahar offers a wide range of activities besides swimming and lounging around on the beach. Kids will enjoy the large playground and jungle gym with zip lines. For the grown-ups, there are a variety of water sports on offer, as well as sports facilities, including volleyball courts, basketball courts, and spaces to play football and other ball games. There’s even an outdoor gym for real fitness fanatics!
Out on the water, Aqua Fun (which closed after COVID) has been replaced by AquaDhabi water park – a giant inflatable water obstacle course. Juniors (4-7 years old; min 110cm) can get all-day access to the kid’s circuit for AED 95, while a standard ticket will additionally get you all-day access to the SportsPark XL with 35+ obstacles for AED 125. Open daily 9:00am to sunset.
A’ l Bahar Beach has plenty of coffee shops, some good sit-down restaurants, showers, and toilets, making it one of the best places in Abu Dhabi to hang out by the beach.
Entry to A’l Bahar beach is free, whilst some activities are paid extras.
The beach is open daily 7:00 AM to sunset. The rest of A’l Bahar stays open until 10:00 PM in the evening or midnight at weekends.
Al Sahil Beach – Corniche Gates 1-6
Once the Corniche’s most popular section, the Al Sahil Beach area is getting a much-needed revamp. There are clean toilets, a few coffee shops, and a fantastic pirate-ship playground for the kids.
For those wanting to be more active, there are beach volleyball courts and spaces to play football and other games. Alternatively, you can take a stroll along the boardwalks that run through the well-kept gardens that act as a buffer between the beach and the busy main road.
You can also hire bikes, eScooters or pedal buggies to ride along the iconic 8-kilometre stretch of coastline.
Sahil Family Beach – Gates 1 & 2
This beach is set aside for families only and is surrounded by a fence; single men are not allowed. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available.
A small entry fee of AED 10.50 adults and AED 5.25 for older kids
Sahil Mixed Beach (free entry) – Gate 3 & 4
This beach is accessible to everyone and is popular as one of the best free things to do in Abu Dhabi. You have to bring your own sunbeds and umbrellas, but there are showers and toilets. in the plaza area and a large children’s playground.
Entrance free
Adjacent to GFate 3, you will now find a section of the beach which has been dedicated to People of Determination. This includes accessible walkways, dedicated bathrooms, and floating wheelchairs, along with complimentary water stations and transportation.
Sahil Mixed Beach – Gate 5 & 6
This beach is for both men and women. There are sun loungers (extra cost of AED 25), umbrellas, toilets, showers and snack bars.
Entrance fee of AED 10.50 adults and AED 5.25 for older kids
All beaches on the Corniche are monitored by lifeguards and security staff. Alcohol is not allowed and you should be very careful not to take photographs of other bathers. All sections of the Corniche beach are open from sunrise to sunset; restaurants will open later and close later.
3. Hudayriyat Island Beach
For many years, residents of Abu Dhabi often referred to the ‘bridge to nowhere’ – now, that bridge finally leads to the spectacular beach hotspot of Al Hudayriyat Island.
Amongst an island packed with action sports, you can also find a 600-meter-long white sandy beach, clean showers, changing facilities, and a variety of coffee shops and restaurants.
Access to the beach and sun lounges on Hudayriyat used to be entirely free for several years, but this looked to change in late 2024 when suddenly guests were imposed with fees for deck chair usage; we’ve since clarified the pricing as follows for the two sections of beachfront here, which are open daily from 7:00 am to sunset:
Marsana East
A premium experience with towels provided, mini beach coolers and on-demand F&B services in addition to quality sunbeds and sunshades:
| Weekday | Weekends & Public Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (12+) | AED 50 | AED 100 |
| Children 6-11 | AED 25 | AED 50 |
| Infants (5 and under) | FREE | Free |
New for Summer 2025! Marsana East will now be home to Abu Dhabi’s first night beach! From July to September, enjoy the (slightly!) cooler waters after darkwith lifeguards on duty until 10:00 PM (weekdays) and Midnight (weekends). Charges still apply for entry from sunset to closing time.
Marsana West
Offering a simpler plastic sunbed set up with sunshades and on-demand F&B, this is a little more budget-friendly—though it still hurts for what used to be free! You’ll need to BYO towel.
| Weekday | Weekends & Public Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (12+) | AED 20 | AED 50 |
| Children 6-11 | AED 10 | AED 25 |
| Infants (5 and under) | FREE | Free |
On the plus side, they have stated that outside food and beverages are permitted in these beach areas. Note that Marsana is dry, so your F&B choices to order will not include alcohol, nor can you bring your own in.
For anyone not content with sitting around all day, Hudayriyat also boasts a 10-kilometre cycle track with bike rental, beach volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, football pitches, kayaking and kite surfing opportunities and the newly opened largest wave pool in the world, Surf Abu Dhabi.
The marina here has also substantially expanded, offering numerous boat tours, jet ski rentals, and other watercraft for hire. For more details, contact Sahara Marine at +971 56 99199 18 or booking@saharamarine.ae.
For younger visitors, the pedestrianized Marsana area has a fenced playground and Circuit X splash park, as well as opportunities to swim and build sandcastles.
To get the most out of the experience (and have your beachfront included without an additional entry fee!), why not stay overnight at the island’s luxury campsite, Bab Al Nojoum? You can also walk the Hudayriyat Heritage Trail boardwalk between Bal Al Nojoum and Marsana if you’d prefer not to dip in the water.
Open daily from 8:00 AM until sunset.
4. Yas Beach
Yas Beach is situated on Yas Island – home to the F1 Grand Prix Race Track, Yas Links Golf Club, Ferrari World, Warner Brother’s World and Yas Waterworld.
With a wide range of activities, including jet-skiing, beach volleyball and an outdoor fitness centre, this beach is a must for those who like a more active beach day and those seeking a moment of calm from the hustle and bustle of Yas Island’s other attractions!
Yas Beach offers a large pool, a smaller splash area, and a pristinely clean sandy beach. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available, and private cabanas and chalets for an additional fee.
There are several dining options and bars serving alcohol, making Yas Beach the perfect place to relax and unwind. The proximity to the mangroves and numerous small islands makes this a great spot for canoeing, kayaking, and taking in a bit of nature!
All Yas Island hotels offer complementary day passes for Yas Beach (get your voucher from your concierege), but if you’re not staying on Yas Island entry to the beach will set you back AED 60 on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and AED 150 at weekends*. Children under 12 can enter the beach for free if they are accompanied by an adult.
Yas Beach is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Saturday used to be dedicated to ladies but we understand it is now open to all, every day.
5. Al Bateen Beach
Situated in Al Bateen, a family villa district on the west coast of Abu Dhabi Island, this 800-metre-long “Blue Flag” beach overlooks Al Hudayriyat Island and the famous Hudayriyat Bridge.
The beach is popular with locals and expat families as an easy-going free activity. It’s a great place in Abu Dhabi to swim and enjoy a family picnic. You’ll find plenty of amenities here, including showers, changing rooms, toilets, and playgrounds.
More than just lazing on the beach, Al Bateen Beach offers water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddling, and jet skis for hire. It makes for a relaxing day out for the whole family.
Part of Al Bateen is sectioned off for ladies only (Al Bateen Beach for Women – recently renamed Al Bateen Ladies Social Club by Matcha). It used to only cost AED 25 to enter this section of the beach, but we understand you must now by a Day Pass which has climbed to a hefty AED 150 weekdays and AED 150 weekends – see more in our Beach Clubs guide.
The entrance to Al Bateen Public Beach is free and the beach is open 8:00 AM to sunset.
6. Al Maya Island
Another trendy beach with a parting vibe is to be found on the private island, Al Maya Island. The island is accessed by a 15-minute boat trip from the clearly signposted pier near Qasr Al Watan (The Presidential Palace).
The facilities include a soft sandy beach, a swimming pool (with a kid’s pool), a jacuzzi, and a licensed restaurant. The island is beautifully landscaped, with wild gazelles roaming free around the site, offering some select overnight accommodation.
Whilst Al Maya was previously known for its raucous weekends, it offers a tranquil escape for couples and families alike during the week.
Day passes start at AED 200 during the week – fully redeemable on F&B; whilst weekends, ladies are free before 2:00PM, gents, you’re paying 250 AED to join the party, but get 100 AED back on F&B.
Access is free for children up to 13 years old (limited to 2 children per adult) during the week.
You can learn more about all the most popular Abu Dhabi beach clubs here
New Openings – And Closed Abu Dhabi Beaches
In a city made up of a series of islands—natural and man-made—it’s no surprise that a variety of beach clubs and water sports spots open up along the Abu Dhabi coast. As is the region’s nature, some have been there for decades, and others come and go.
New Beaches and coming soon in 2024-25
- We saw the opening of Fahid Beach Club, on the small Fahid Island that sits on the coastline between Yas and Saadiyat Islands. Currently billed as only a seasonal pop-up for winter (open Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to sundown), let’s see if something more permanent is established here with several miles of undeveloped coastline.
- Two new man-made beaches are going up on Yas Island (for families and adults only), in front of the new Yas Bay entertainment precinct. Whilst currently a real eye-sore, we do think they’ll significantly enhance the area, albeit no doubt at another costly fee for families. This will complement the existing Cafe Del Mar adults-only club and Yas Beach, as we mentioned above, on the other side of the island.
Closed or renamed beaches
- Cove Beach, Makers District on Reem Island – suddenly announced its closure in 2023; we await to see what may open in its place.
- Kai Beach has replaced Saadiyat Public Beach (previously also known as BAKE), so there’s no longer any free lounger sections at least on Saadiyat Island, you can walk along the beach for free still.
- The old Hiltonia is now part of West Bay Abu Dhabi – attached to the Radisson Blu, a private beach club at the end of the Corniche.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abu Dhabi Beaches
We hope that our round-up of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi has given you an insight into what the city has to offer. Check out our frequently asked questions below for more information about beach life in the UAE’s capital city.
At the entrance to every beach in Abu Dhabi, there are signs outlining the behaviour that is expected of guests. Points include; no public displays of affection such as kissing or heavy petting, no taking photographs and no lighting fires. All formal beaches employ security guards who will tell you off and may ask you to leave if you break the rules.
There are no barbecuing facilities at any of the beaches in Abu Dhabi, and taking your own barbecues onto public beaches is forbidden. That said, there are numerous islands with secluded beaches, and if you have your own boat and grill, no one will stop you from using it.
There are also barbecue facilities in some of the parks parallel to the beaches on the Corniche, which you can use after a day at the beach. Some hotels with their own beaches can organise private barbecues for you for a fee.
You can have a beer or whatever other alcoholic beverage that tickles your fancy on the beach in Abu Dhabi if you purchase and consume it on licensed premises – for example, at a beach hotel or private beach club. You cannot buy your own beer from a shop and drink it on public beaches.
You can learn more about Abu Dhabi’s alcohol rules here.
No. It is against the law for women to sunbathe topless. We would suggest wearing a full swimming costume or a tasteful bikini. Whilst thongs might not be strictly prohibited, they will offend local sensibilities and get you (perhaps) unwanted attention. Best save these for the exclusive beach clubs and NOT public beaches.
You can learn more about what to wear in Abu Dhabi without offending over here.
We urge you not to let your kids run naked at the beach in Abu Dhabi. It’s culturally inappropriate as well as dangerous.
Your child’s skin needs protection from the strong middle eastern sun, even in winter. We recommend UV suits or rash guards for all children as these help protect them from the sun and jellyfish stings.
Get a complete guide of what to pack to deal with the sun and heat in Abu Dhabi here.
Some beaches, like the Corniche Beach have free access areas; others, like Mamsha Beach, and now Hudayriyat Beach, charge a fee for facility usage, although they are set on public beach area.
Hotel beaches should be used by hotel residents and day-pass holders only, although you are free to walk the entire length of Saadiyat Beach regardless of your point of entry (you can’t use sun loungers that belong to hotels if you are not staying in them).
Unfortunately yes. Whilst sharks are rare, jellyfish and stingrays are common at certain times of the year. Sea snakes have also been spotted recently on a number of Abu Dhabi beaches (October 2021).
Always take heed of the flag system. Do not swim if the flag is red, and exercise extreme caution if a purple flag (indicating a marine pest) is flying.
Yes, this list is not exhaustive, but it highlights the best beaches in Abu Dhabi city open to tourists.
Many more hotels and residences have their own private beaches. We highlight several of these beachfront hotels here – including areas along Al Raha Beach, the Grand Canal (Between the Bridges), surrounding the Corniche, such a Emirates Palace and the old Tourist Club area.
If you are able to drive or rent a car in Abu Dhabi, you can head to the Western Region for some brilliant, unspoilt stretches of beach with clean water. Mirfa Beach is a stunning spot with a long beach, home to the Al Gharbia Watersports Festival.
If ‘better’ means cheaper than definitely the public beach, but if you want comfortable changing facilities and sun lounger service with excellent food and alcoholic beverages, it has to be either Yas Beach, a hotel beach or a private beach club!
Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack and top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi.
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