Discover Abu Dhabi’s Hidden Gems: Top Beaches You Must Visit
Looking for the top beaches in Abu Dhabi? We’ve compiled the ultimate list of the 5 best beaches, from lively Corniche Beach with water sports and cafes to undiscovered Al Mirfa Beach. Find your perfect spot on the golden sands with our reviews. Relax under shady palms on Saadiyat Public Beach’s powder sand cove. Enjoy the happening atmosphere of Yas Beach with cabanas, food trucks and water sports. Discover peaceful perfection at Al Bateen Beach and its swaying trees and calm blue waters ideal for swimming. Or escape to the tranquil fishing village beach at Al Mirfa for soft sands without the crowds. With over 700km of shoreline, Abu Dhabi spoils you for choice. Our guide to the top 5 beaches helps you easily decide where to soak up the iconic sunshine and make magical memories during your UAE stay.
Top 5 Beaches in Abu Dhabi
The Corniche Beach
Stretching along the Corniche Road and seafront promenade, the glittering Corniche Beach spans over 8 kilometres of golden sand with views across the Arabian Gulf’s azure waters. With Abu Dhabi’s spectacular skyline comprising of towering skyscrapers and luxury hotels as its backdrop, the vibrant Corniche Beach bustles with activity from dawn till dusk.
Mornings see joggers pound the pedestrian walkway stretching along the beachfront, while fitness fanatics work out at the many outdoor gyms dotting the beach park. Sunbathers claim prime spots to soak up the sunshine on the pristine sands, occasionally taking a cooling dip in the crystal waters. Beachgoers can rent vibrant umbrellas and loungers at reasonable prices for all-day comfort, with attendants serving cool drinks ordered right to your spot.
The Corniche Beach is perfect for appreciating Abu Dhabi’s rich blue hues, with the turquoise Arabian Gulf waters twinkling under the emirate’s azure skies. Visitors can enjoy fun sports from beach tennis to volleyball on courts right next to the shore, while water sport lovers can rent jet skis or try the banana boat rides offered at the beach clubs. Families appreciate the lifeguarded swimming areas and spacious play parks lining the Corniche, keeping the kids entertained for hours.
Corniche Beach Features
As the emirate begins winding down late afternoon, Corniche Beach transforms into the perfect spot for catching spectacular sunsets. Joggers and cyclists flock to the pedestrian tracks for evening fitness, while visitors and locals gather around the beachfront’s parks and benches, ordering snacks from fast food stalls. Children continue playing as the aroma of shawarmas and falafels waft through the air. Families and friends watch dusk fall across the city’s soaring skyline in golden hues and dazzling dusk rays. Well into the evening, the Corniche Beach thrums with live, especially on weekends, keeping Abu Dhabi’s vibrant city heart beating.
For more information on corniche beach visit: https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/where-to-go/beaches/corniche-beach
Saadiyat Beach
Saadiyat Beach captivates visitors with its sweeping white sands and protected eco shores sloping down to the Arabian Gulf’s glittering turquoise waters. As an environmentally conscious beach plastic is banned, with specialized waste bins for recyclables found throughout its powdery white shores. Wooden beach walkways preserve the fragile sand dunes dotted with swaying date palms native to the region, while guests can rent towels and loungers if desired.
With wildlife conservation a prime focus, Saadiyat Beach contains delicate zones cordoned off for bird nesting. Here endangered hawksbill turtles lay their eggs in season, while seabirds like the Sooty Falcon can be glimpsed hunting for fish in the peaceful blue waters offshore. Regular beach cleanups and strict environmental regulations keep Saadiyat Beach’s ecosystem pristinely maintained.
Past the shoreline, snorkelers can encounter colorful reef fish like sergeant majors, clownfish and angelfish among branching corals, in Saadiyat’s protected bathing zones. Beginner surfers can ride gentle waves originating offshore, or grab Stand Up Paddleboards to explore the Arabian Gulf’s deeper hues. Saadiyat Beach also offers kayak and sailing rentals for more experienced sea-goers.
Saadiyat Beach Features
After a day of revelling in the quintessential azure and white hues of sand and surf, visitors can amble over to Saadiyat Beach Club’s stylish restaurant, The Shore House. Featuring airy indoor salons and outdoor terraces overlooking the sea, The Shore House specializes in the freshest Mediterranean seafood seasoned with Arabian spice. From Omani lobsters to regional hammour fillets, the oceanfront dining provides a perfect end to an eco-beach day.
As the glowing Arabian sun sets across the Gulf’s shimmering waters, Saadiyat Beach takes on an ethereal aura. Lasting memories are made while strolling barefoot through the powdery sands as the sky transitions to pastel pink. Saadiyat Beach’s dedicated sustainability efforts and serene natural beauty craft a uniquely Abu Dhabi beach experience.
For more information on saadiyat beach visit: https://www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae/home
Yas Beach
Located on Abu Dhabi’s thrill-packed Yas Island, Yas Beach delights with its golden shores, luxury beach clubs and range of water sports bordering the azure Arabian Gulf. Sun loungers and breezy beach cabanas line the sand, offering relaxing refuge after adventures like kayaking through nearby protected mangroves. When restlessness strikes, visitors can sign up for water sports from paddleboarding to windsurfing at the active beach clubs.
Adrenaline seekers appreciate Yas Beach’s close proximity to famous Yas Island attractions like the record-breaking Formula Rossa rollercoaster, Yas Water world and Ferrari World. Between splashing down water slides or racing along rollercoaster tracks, guests can unwind on Yas Beach’s sun-drenched golden shores. Luxury five-star hotels like the W Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza and Yas Viceroy also border the beach, offering accommodation with direct beach access.
Hungry beachgoers can dine at the myriad cafes and restaurants lining Yas Beach sands. International food and beverage outlets like Ushna serve aperture classics with an Indian twist to dishes like biryani, while La Sangria Restaurant provides tapas under shady cabanas. More informal grab-and-go cafes provide classic beach food like tacos and shawarma to enjoy seaside.
Yas Beach Features
As a family-friendly beach, Yas Beach contains a protected swimming area with lifeguards on duty for peace of mind. Adjacent to the main beach, the recreational parks offer additional children’s play areas and food stalls to keep kids fuelled on fun-packed beach days. Grownups can likewise play at the dedicated beach volleyball courts and football pitches nearby.
When the blazing Abu Dhabi sun sets across crimson skies at day’s end, Yas Beach transforms into vibrant party central. Popular beach clubs like Iris and Aquarium drape their outdoor decks in colourful lights, spinning pop hits as guests hit the dancefloor. Sipping colourful cocktails under starry Arabian nights, Yas Beach converts into the ultimate venue for revelry, capping off memories of thrill-filled days on Abu Dhabi’s incredible entertainment island.
For more information on yas beach visit: https://www.yasisland.com/en/things-to-do/leisure-activities/yas-beach
Al Bateen Beach
The sheltered white sandy cove of Al Bateen Beach rests just across from Abu Dhabi’s bustling downtown district, offering picture-perfect views of the capital’s towering skyscrapers. Yet under swaying palms, bordered by rippling waves, Al Bateen feels far from the hectic urban sprawl and provides a peaceful beachfront oasis to while away tranquil afternoons under the Arabian sun.
At Al Bateen gentle waves create quintessential beach atmospherics with lapping ripples across the sand, as the occasional dhow drifts idly offshore. The protected beach sees few rowdy visitors, allowing for ultimate relaxation whether lounging with a book or taking a quiet midday stroll ankle-deep in the surf. For refreshing dips, the nearby beach café rents snorkelling gear to spot colourful fish swimming in the clear bathing areas by the sandy shore.
The spread of beach picnics and barbecues sizzling Arabian-spiced kofta kebabs signify lazy weekends, as groups of friends gather to catch up while children build elaborate sandcastles dotted with seashells. Cool boxes keep refreshments chilled for company to enjoy between splashing about in the sheltered swimming zones. As dusk approaches, the aroma of shisha in vibrant flavours like strawberry and honey waft from nearby majlis as patrons relax Indian-style on plush cushions.
Al Bateen Beach Features
With its prime position overlooking the city, Al Bateen Beach allows beachgoers to enjoy the 21st century appeal of Abu Dhabi’s modern metropolis behind the peaceful atmosphere of a hidden beachfront gem. Joggers appreciate views of the evening lights sparkling across Al Maryah Island’s Sowwah Square as the lively downtown transitions from business hours to after dark entertainment. Al Bateen Beach provides tranquil shores steeped in natural beauty alongside exciting glimpses of the dynamic capital.
For more information on albateen beach visit: https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/where-to-go/beaches/al-bateen-beach
Al Raha Beach
The dazzling waters of the sheltered Al Raha Creek, rich in biodiversity, flow gently past the golden shores of Al Raha Beach. Pristine sands dotted with shady date palms stretch down to tranquil turquoise waters, creating a serene atmosphere where visitors picnic under gently swaying fronds. As herons glide through the protected mangrove forests nearby, visitors can kayak or stand-up paddleboard peacefully through the natural sanctuary.
After working up an appetite exploring the crytal creek, paddlers can replenish on the wholesome fare of beachfront eatery Carluccio’s, specializing in freshly made sandwiches, salads and woodfired pizzas. Parents can likewise enjoy a cold beverage from the juice bar while children construct masterpieces from seashells and dreamily admire dhows drifting along the natural creek.
Al Raha Beach Features
The family-friendly wading areas allow kids to splash safely from golden shallows into deeper turquoise hues, as the occasional hawk silhouette circles lazily in blue skies overhead. Loungers await under the shady trees after swimming, while visitors stroll the soft sands searching for stray seashells. Fitness lovers can rent watercraft for sailing sessions across the mirrored creek waters, absorbing panoramic views across the sand and surf.
As the glowing sun dips closer to the horizon, golden rays sparkle across the sheltered inlet where gentle waves caress Al Raha Beach’s golden shores. Joggers pass by on seaside tracks as the aroma of coffee and spices drifts from charming beach cafes. In serene natural surroundings steeped in ocean hues, Al Raha Beach proffers pristine shores overlooking Abu Dhabi’s hidden natural gem in the Al Raha Creek.
For more information on al raha beach visit: https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/where-to-go/marinas-and-plazas/al-raha-beach-plazas
Booking an event on the beaches of Abu Dhabi
Planning an event in Abu Dhabi? Consider hosting it at one of the emirate’s spectacular beaches, with their crystal blue waters and pristine sandy shores providing a picture-perfect backdrop. Booking an event at the top beaches like Corniche, Saadiyat Public, Yas, Al Raha, or Al Bateen may seem daunting, but is easier than you think. First, determine the type of event, number of attendees expected, and any special requirements like catering or equipment rentals. Decide which of Abu Dhabi’s top five beaches best suits your needs – lively Corniche Beach with its parks, cafes and promenade access if you want a vibrant public beach, or the more exclusive Al Bateen Beach within the Al Bateen area, with its pristine sands. Check availability at your beach of choice during your desired event date. Many operate on a first come, first served basis for areas to host events, especially larger public beaches like Corniche and Saadiyat. Contact management of beaches like Yas, Al Raha or Al Bateen to inquire about open dates for buyouts or areas to host events in a sectioned-off portion of beach. Provide detailed information on the type of function, number of guests, timeline of when occupants would be on site, and any rental or catering requirements you may have. For public beaches which cannot be bought out entirely, see if special exceptions can be made for amenities like exclusive cabana or day bed rental, watersport equipment, lifeguard and security detail, or permission to bring in your own furniture – additional fees may apply. Be prepared to sign an events contract outlining terms and conditions, pay rental fees and deposits, and provide certificates of insurance. Make sure to confirm exactly what is included so there are no surprises, like power access, lighting, delivery access points, number of security personnel allotted, garbage removal, etc. Don’t forget the ancillary items like restroom facilities, parking arrangements, transportation for attendees or permit requirements! Read all contract terms thoroughly and clarify any questions before signing. Once booked, you can relax knowing Abu Dhabi’s beauty will set the scene for a memorable event on the beach.