Aqua Adventures: Water Sports and Relaxation on Dubai's Beaches
Dubai is well-known for its unending desert, thrilling theme parks, extravagant architecture, grand mosques, and magnificent shopping malls. But who would have thought that this land of Arabian Deserts could also be a paradise for water lovers? Dubai has a vast coastline with several beaches offering crystal clear waters and the softest white sands. Dubai has secured a prominent place for itself as a beach destination offering abundant water sporting activities, picnic spots, lush parks, cycling tracks, food trucks, and much more. Let's look at some of the most amazing beaches in the city where you can have an incredible time.
Kite Beach
Kite Beach is hands down one of the most famous beaches in Dubai. If you love exhilarating water activities in Dubai or craving for an adrenaline rush, Kite Beach is the place to head. You can try an assortment of watersports including kitesurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, beach tennis, beach volleyball, and the likes. Of course, no prizes for guessing that thousands of tourists come here every day to try its most popular sport, - kite surfing, also from where this beach gets its name. There's also a skate park for the kids, ice cream carts, and many food trucks. It is also one of the best places to see the majestic Burj Al Arab Hotel standing proudly in all its glory.
Sunset Beach
Also known as Umm Suqeim Beach, Sunset Beach as you guessed right is the perfect place to watch the orange ball slowly disappear into the sea. It is another spot to enjoy breathtaking views of the Burj Al Arab and click some Instagram-worthy pictures. One unbelievable feature about Dubai beaches is that many of them come with fully equipped libraries and Sunset Beach is one of them. Swimming is permitted on this beach until midnight and if you are a rookie surfer, this is a fantasticplace for your beginner surfing lessons.
La Mer
A new beach that opened only in 2018, La Mer packs a punch when it comes to the myriad activities you can enjoy here. Whether it is dining, shopping, or entertainment, this place offers every possible thing you can think of for a beach day. It is brimming with several eateries, colorful cabanas, a trampoline park for the kids, impressive art installations, graffiti, and murals. It is also home to the Laguna Waterpark which has waterslides, a Lazy River, and many other exciting activities in store for you.
Jumeirah Public Beach
The Jumeirah Public Beach is one of the oldest beaches in the city and a major crowd-puller as both locals and tourists’throng here at any given time. It is a lovely spot for familypicnics and for enjoying activities like fly fishing, donut rides, banana boat rides, jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and beach volleyball to name a few. This area always vibrant with food trucks, cafes, and restaurants where you can savor some lip-smacking food.
Marina Beach
The Dubai Marina is an affluent residential area in the city close to Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). It is the concluding stretch of sandy beach with soft white sand and warm blue water. It is lined with restaurants, malls, cafes, boutiques, spas, and many more entertainment options for a relaxed day. Ain Dubai, the largest Ferris wheel, located on Bluewaters Island, is also part of this luxurious area. You can relish some delicious food, shop to your heart's content, and pamper yourself with a therapeutic massage at one of the spas here. This gorgeous beach is one of the best excuses to apply for your Dubai tourist visa.
Al Sufouh Beach
Also known as Secret Beach, this is one of the hidden gems of Dubai flanked by imposing Palm trees that keep it concealed from the bustling city. Al Sufouh Beach is a stretch of raw beach sandwiched between the mighty Burj Al Arab and the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Al Sufouh Beach offers the much-needed calmness where you can just escape the crowds and relax. However, one thing to keep in mind is that there areno facilities like bathrooms, food stalls, or sun loungers, unlike the other beaches on the list.
Mercato Beach
If you are looking for a beach with less crowd where you can spend some quiet moments, Mercato Beach is tailor-made for you. Located near Mercato Mall, this beach is another one with a library, bean bags, and benches, ideal for bibliophiles. You can spend the entire day reading and watching the waves hitting the shore. This place is busy with joggers and walkers especially in the mornings and evenings. If you want to keep your hunger pangs at bay, the Mercato Mall is a great pitstop for refreshments.
The Beach, JBR
Nestled between the posh Dubai Marina and the Persian Gulf, The Beach at JBR is replete with skyscrapers, world-class hotels, apartment complexes, shopping malls, trendy boutiques etc. It has an outdoor gym, a cushioned jogging track, and numerous watersports. If you want to spend a lazy day, just relax on one of the beach loungers or cabanas and pass the world go by. The Beach also offers free yoga sessions in the mornings, and it also has open-air markets. This is another spot from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Ain Dubai observation wheel.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
The Al Mamzar Beach has plenty of amenities such as a swimming pool, picnic areas with barbecues, playgrounds, water sports, a large garden, walking tracks, a library, and air-conditioned cabanas. One drawback is the lack of food outlets or carts. However, most families come here for picnics and or for BBQ parties, and usually bring their own food. It also has a special Ladies Day every Monday. You can also rent bicycles and ride on bike paths, build sandcastles with your little ones, or take a dip in the pool.
Conclusion
It is fascinating how what was predominantly a desert destination has now become one of the most sought-after places for beach buffs. Most of these beaches are one-stop destinations offering remarkable amenities and safety to visitors. So, whether you want to relax by the turquoise waters, enjoy watersports, or soak in the sun, Dubai is the ideal choice for you for your next memorable beach holiday.