Very few beaches compare to Saadiyat. The tropical white coral sand stretches over 4 kilometres, with the warm Indian Ocean lapping against the sand. The crystal clear turquoise waters rival those of the Maldives, but don’t be deceived by calm mornings; by mid-afternoon, the waves can be pretty intense, depending on the weather.
The dazzling sandy beach is divided between a number of luxury beach resorts, a high-end beach club, and two public beach areas. It’s a great place for long strolls and collecting seashells, as well as 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.
Compared to other man-made beach areas in Abu Dhabi, we’d argue this is the best beach to visit in Abu Dhabi.
Find out more about how you can experience Saadiyat Beach below!
How to enjoy Saadiyat Beach on Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Beach Club
Saadiyat Beach Club is the height of luxury with several fine dining options as well as beach and pool access. There are beautiful changing facilities, a gym, saunas, steam rooms, and jacuzzis available for use, and a beauty spa and hairdressing salon 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 beach day out for all the family!
Day passes are available for 250 AED for one person or 350 AED for a couple during the week, although there are special offers for ladies on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Children aged 7-17 years pay 100 AED, whereas children under 7 are free. Prices rise to 375 AED for one person, 525 AED for a couple, and 150 AED for children over 7 at weekends.
For more details on Saadiyat Beach Club, click here
Soul Beach – Public Beach
Situated close to the Mamsha development on Saadiyat Island, Soul Beach is paid upon entry. During the week, the entry fee is 50 AED, which entitles you to a sun bed and umbrella for the whole day. This fee rises to 75 AED at the weekend (Children over six pay around half price).
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 upscale Mamsha Al Saadiyat development, with numerous shops and cafes where you can buy items to take away (including a lovely 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 enables you to access Saadiyat’s beautiful waters without breaking the bank. Open daily from 7:00 AM to Sunset. Entry to the beach costs 50 AED per adult and 25 AED for children on weekdays and 75 AED per adult and 40 AED per child at weekends.
Kai Beach
Also affiliated with Saadiyat Beach Club is the newly opened Kai Beach. ‘Barefoot Luxury’ is the advertising tagline for this beach, and boy, does it deliver!
The elegant parasols and driftwood furniture give the beach a bohemian feel, whilst its slightly more secluded location offers you the chance to be just that bit closer to nature.
There are sun beds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, and changing rooms accessible via boardwalks behind the dunes at the top of the beach. The MLT food truck offers delicious bites as well as a variety of beverages, including alcohol. Shisha is also available and can be ordered to your sun bed.
During the week, you can expect to pay 85 AED per adult and 40 AED per child. At weekends the price increases to 105 AED per adult and 60 AED per child. Children under 6 receive complimentary entry.
Saadiyat Beach Hotels & Day Passes
There are 5 luxury hotel resorts on Saadiyat Beach. Whilst they generally have day passes available for outside guests, access to the beach is sometimes restricted to in-house guests. Some staycation packages can actually work out cheaper that day passes, so it’s always a good idea to phone the hotels in advance to check what packages they have available.
We have a detailed guide to each of the Saadiyat Beach resorts here. Beach access is usually from 8:00 AM until sunset, but some hotels vary depending on the season and hotel occupancy.
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 (Not currently available)
- Rixos Premium Resort Saadiyat
Helpful Tips For Visiting Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Transport to Saadiyat Beach
You can travel to Saadiyat Beach by bus, taxi, or private vehicle. Despite being an “island”, it is well connected by road bridges to the Abu Dhabi mainland and other islands surrounding the city.
Bus numbers 120 and 121 from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station go to the Saadiyat Beach area, but some additional walking may be required. The journey takes around 40 minutes and costs 3 AED. Alternatively, taking a taxi from Abu Dhabi Corniche will take around 15-20 minutes and cost approximately 40 AED.
To book a taxi in Abu Dhabi, call the Integrated Transport Centre at +971 800 850
If you choose to drive, you can park at one of the hotels if you are planning to purchase one of their day packages. Saadiyat Beach Club also has a large free car park.
Parking at Kai Beach is free but limited, whereas parking at Soul Beach is in a pay-per-hour underground car park.
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.
Petty theft is not common in Abu Dhabi, and even when things go missing, they can find their way back to you. That said, you should take care of your belongings, as losing items can cause inconvenience and spoil your trip.
Dining Near Saadiyat Beach
Whether you’re looking for an informal dining option or something more formal, you’re sure to find something on Saadiyat Island to suit your taste and your budget.
Mamsha
Mamsha is a delightful mixed-use development with a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Raclette Brasserie and Cafe is very highly regarded, with a multitude of 5* reviews.
- Local coffee shop is a great place to get your daily dose of caffeine. There are a variety of finely crafted sandwiches and tray bakes as well as healthy juices and smoothies.
- Looking for a juicy burger? Head to Pickl! Alternatively, Black Tap serves up some enormous burgers and tremendously decadent cake shakes.
- For healthy vegan meals and snacks, visit the delightful Alkalime.
- For something a bit different, Ting Irie Jamaican restaurant is the place to go.
- Coffee Architecture is another great little coffee place. It also serves a variety of cakes with a local twist, such as date and pecan cake and baklava brioche.
At Saadiyat Beach Club and The Hotel Resorts
As resorts line large sections of the beach on Saadiyat Island, it’s no surprise this is where you’ll find the best beachfront dining. From relaxed family vibes during the day to hip night vibes, these are the best dining venues on Saadiyat Beach:
- Saadiyat Beach Club is home to the wonderful Safina Restaurant. There are often theme nights and live entertainment. Dine in for a 5* culinary experience. You can also order to your sunbeds from a delicious a la carte menu with everything from poke bowls to chili con carne.
- The Jumeirah Hotel Resort is where you will find local flavours at the amazing Tean. Alternatively, sample some of the best Italian food in Abu Dhabi at Mare Mare. There’s also the buffet restaurant White as well as the Offside sports bar.
- Indulge in Mediterranean beach club vibes a stone’s throw from the water at The Beach House at the Park Hyatt. Or head to the Cafe for an international buffet.
- Find a serene escape at Buddha Bar Beach, or sample some delicious Thai and other south East Asian delicacies at Sontaya. Alternatively, go Greek at Mazi contemporary Greek restaurant. The St. Regis is also home to The Collection, a small mall containing several more budget-friendly cafes and restaurants.
- Dry off and head to Hamilton’s Gastropub for a tasty burger or a foot-long sausage, or say yes to Si Italian restaurant at the Saadiyat Rotana. There’s also the Sim Sim International buffet which hosts a fantastic brunch every Saturday.
- If you’re sandy and windswept all of the hotels have beach and pool bars serving a range of snacks. One of the most atmospheric can be found at the Rotana Saadiyat Resort.
More frequently asked questions about Saadiyat Beach
There is nothing stopping you from walking along the length of Saadiyat Beach at any time and enjoying the beachfront for free. If you wish to use any of the facilities, such as the deckchairs at Soul Beach or any of the hotels, you need to pay a day pass charge.
The water is safe to swim in. All official beach areas have lifeguards, and swimming only in these sections of the beach is recommended. There is an occasional influx of jellyfish and other marine pests, but this is generally after storms and will be indicated by a purple flag at lifeguard posts.
You can wear anything from a bikini to a burkini at Saadiyat Beach. Please note that sunbathing topless is not permitted and that thongs are seen as distasteful. You should always cover up when leaving the beach and attempt to be dry and properly dressed before entering any shop or eating establishment.
You can learn more about dress code and clothing etiquette in Abu Dhabi here.
There are some low-key water sports available. Jet skis are not available to hire in the area due to restrictions, but kayaks and paddle boards can be found for hire at most of the hotels on Saadiyat Island.
None of the organized beach settings allow picnics brought in from outside.
You can purchase alcohol at most of the hotel beach clubs and at Saadiyat Beach Club. Alcohol is also available at Kai Beach. Alcohol should not be consumed in public places in Abu Dhabi outside of licensed premises.
You can find our full guide to Abu Dhabi alcohol laws here.
If you are going to Saadiyat Beach Club or one of the hotel resorts, towels and soaps are provided. If you are going to Soul Beach or Kai Beach, you will need your own towel (along with soaps and shampoos if you want to use the wash facilities afterwards.
Dogs are not allowed on Saadiyat public beach, even on a leash. Some cafes in Mamsha welcomed well-behaved dogs on leashes (but we have heard recent reports of dogs being turned away from pet-friendly establishments such as Coffee Architecture. Stay tuned; we’re investigating if this is a new municipality rule).
Best Beaches in Abu Dhabi
In a city surrounded by shorelines, you are sure to find plenty more beautiful beaches in Abu Dhabi.
- We share over here our 6 favourite Abu Dhabi beaches we recommend for tourists.
- Learn more about Abu Dhabi’s best beach clubs here.
- Or if you’re looking for a hotel with its own private beach, we have plenty of those, too!
If you want to catch more of the cultural side of Saadiyat Island, you’ll want to check out next:
- Our visitor’s guide to Louvre Abu Dhabi
- What to expect on a tour of Abrahamic Family House
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.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
Take me back to the Abu Dhabi Travel Blog
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.
Abu Dhabi Travel Planner
