Luxury, party & family friendly: 18 beach clubs in Dubai
From chic and elite to cool and casual, Dubai has a beach club to suit every taste and budget.
To make your weekend feel like a holiday, head down to one of these soon. Here are 18 of the best beach clubs in Dubai…
The luxury options
01. Nasimi Beach
Vibe: Most of Dubai knows Nasimi as an after-dark party spot, but it’s just as popular during the day. This sprawling beach on the Palm has 50 sun loungers (available on a first come, first served basis) and around 35 cabanas.
Ideal for: This is a strictly over-21s beach club, so if you prefer to sunbathe without a soundtrack of screaming kids, this one’s for you.
Price: Dhs150 (minimum spend) on weekdays and Dhs250 (minimum spend) on weekends.
Atlantis The Palm, West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Sun to Thur 11am to midnight, Fri and Sat 9am to 1am. Tel: (04) 4262626. Taxi: Atlantis The Palm. atlantisthepalm.com
02. Eden Beach Club
Vibe: Eden is, style-wise, the definitive beach club: white loungers, sleek pool area, gigantic cabanas, and expansive dancefloor. Look around and you’ll see most people are busy snapping selfies, or Instagramming their surroundings from every angle. By day, recline on a plump white daybed and enjoy stellar butler service, or paddle your way up to the pool bar for a drink. By night, Eden transforms into one of the wildest parties in town.
Ideal for: The enormous cabana chalets are perfect for parties of up to 12.
Price: Weekdays Dhs100, weekends Dhs250 (daybeds are available on a first come, first served basis. Cabanas cost Dhs1,500 (minimum spend) on weekdays, plus Dhs100 entrance fee per person. On weekends it’s Dhs5,000 (minimum spend).
Rixos The Beach, Dubai, daily 10am to late, Sun to Thur Dhs100, Fri and Sat Dhs200. Tel: (04) 2771477. Taxi: The Palm, east crescent. edenbeachclub.com
03. Cove Beach
Vibe: This new kid on the block has a St Tropez vibe, and it’s smaller than a lot of other beach clubs, giving it a much more exclusive feel. It has huge grey and white wicker daybeds set at the water’s edge. Between those and that Burj Al Arab backdrop, Cove immediately became our new fave.
Ideal for: A contender for Dubai’s coolest beach club – this is where the beautiful people flock when in search of a chilled day on the sand.
Price: A mattress on the beach costs Dhs100 on weekdays and Dhs200 on weekends; a single daybed costs Dhs150 on weekdays and Dhs300 on weekends; a double daybed costs Dhs350 on weekdays and Dhs700 on weekends.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 9am to 3am. Tel: (800) 2683. Taxi: Jumeirah Beach Hotel. covebeach.com
The best places for beach bashes
04. Zero Gravity
Vibe: Volleyball, watersports, live music and a brand new pool – Zero Gravity has the edge when it comes to a day-to-night beach experience. Expect ‘only in Dubai’ touches like a sunglasses cleaning service and complimentary ice pops. The price of a beach pass also includes a voucher for food and drink, or you could splash out on a private beach cabana and grill your own lunch on the BBQ – or let a chef do the hard work instead. Packages start from Dhs933 for groups of two to five.
Ideal for: Beach-goers looking for good value.
Price: Single weekday entrance is Dhs150 (plus Dhs50 food and drink voucher); couple weekday entrance is Dhs250 (plus Dhs75 food and drink voucher). Single weekend entrance is Dhs250 (Dhs100 food and drink voucher); couples’ weekend entrance is Dhs450 (plus Dhs150 food and drink voucher).
Sky Dive Dubai Drop Zone, Dubai, daily 10am to sunset. Tel: (04) 3990009. Taxi: Sky Dive Dubai Drop Zone. 0-gravity.ae
05. Barasti Beach
Vibe: Big, brash and boisterous, Barasti is a Brit-expat favourite, and often crowded with party posers. The giant top deck screens football and rugby, live bands perform at sunset, and there’s a daily happy hour from 4pm to 7pm. Did we mention that entry is free?
Ideal for: Barasti patrons are an eclectic mix: there are tourists and sun-worshippers layering on the oil, buff bods strutting along the shore, and rowdy Brits having it large.
Price: Free entrance
Barasti, Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai, Sun and Mon 11am to 6pm. Tue to Sat 11am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3181313. Taxi: Méridien Mina Seyahi. barastibeach.com
06. Blue Marlin
Vibe: You have to drive a little way out of town to reach this secluded party beach. The décor is minimalist, with white furniture and mattresses and cabanas packed on the sand. The venue is split into several sections, including a terrace, a dining area, a bar area and the beach itself. Most weekend guests arrive for brunch and stay on to party hard afterwards.
Ideal for: Partying. Blue Marlin is practically synonymous with young people lounging on giant mattresses, taking selfies and clinking drinks to house music.
Price: Single daybeds start at Dhs350; party beds start at Dhs4,000 and fit up to 12 people.
Golden Tulip Ghantoot Al Jazira Hotels And Resort, Dubai, Fri and Sat 1pm to 10pm. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
07. Purobeach Urban Oasis
Vibe: At Purobeach, you’ll either feel like you’re starring in a Duran Duran music video from the 1990s, or have stumbled into the back garden of a rapper’s Miami mansion – neither of which are bad things. Purobeach is beautifully laid out, with shady cabanas and 100 sunbeds from which to surreptitiously check out the good-looking crowd from behind your aviators. There are also huge poolside lounge beds and (crucially) free Wi-Fi. When the sun goes down, the atmosphere cranks up a notch Puro becomes an outdoor club.
Ideal for: This is the kind of place where girls wear bikinis and high heels – the pouting and posing quotient is sky-high.
Price: Weekdays Dhs125, weekends Dh175.
Conrad Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, daily 11am to 2am. Tel: (04) 4447111. Metro: World Trade Centre. purobeach.com
08. Double Tree By Hilton
Vibe: There’s a definite ‘90s Marbella vibe about this place – which is fine by us. Sunbeds line the pool, where fruit and cold towels circulate. At the watersports centre you can try your hand at kayaking, wakeboarding or donut riding. Fridays are the busiest days as guests take advantage of the brunch offer, which includes free pool and beach access.
Ideal for: A post-brunch sunbathing session.
Price: Weekdays Dhs125, weekends Dhs175. Brunch weekend packages start at Dhs379 (including house drinks) and Dhs299 (including soft drinks).
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel, Dubai Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, daily 9am to sunset. Tel: (04) 4533333. Taxi: The Walk, JBR. doubletree3.hilton.com
09. Purobeach JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort
The new Purobeach UAE has 200 cushioned sunbeds and stunning lounge beds. There is a shisha area set back from the beach as well as a luxurious swimming pool made from Balinese lava stone, four outdoor bars and restaurants, watersports and massages.
JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, Dubai, Sun to Thur 10am to sunset, Fri and Sat 10am to midnight, free, poolside sunbeds Dhs175 (weekdays), Dhs200 (weekends), beachside sunbeds Dhs150. purobeach.com
Family friendly places
10. Fairmont The Palm Dubai
Vibe: Aside from the four pools – including a dedicated family pool – and stretch of private beach, this is a great spot for taking cute snaps of your little ones playing on the sand. The view of the Marina from your lounger is pretty as a picture.
Price: Weekends Dhs250, Dhs150 for children aged three to 12; Weekdays Dhs200, Dhs150 for children aged three to 12.
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 5.30am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4573388. Taxi: Fairmont the Palm. fairmont.com/palm-dubai
11. Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort And Spa
Vibe: The Ocean Brunch puts this pretty beach club, with its stunning coastline views and spacious waterfront, on the map. Relax on the comfy chairs and feast on some wonderful seafood specialties.
Price: Weekdays Dhs250, weekends Dhs300. The Ocean Friday brunch starts at Dhs350 and includes beach and pool access.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort And Spa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 12.30pm to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4556677. Taxi: East Crescent. sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com
12. Jumeirah Zabeel
Vibe: If you’re looking to enjoy a luxurious day with your family, the JZS is a safe bet. Relax in the sun in a lounger while slurping on an ice-lolly, as your little ones enjoy the huge children’s club.
Price: Dhs350, Dhs250 for children.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, West Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 9am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 4530000. Taxi: The Palm Jumeirah. jumeirah.com
13. Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
Vibe: A favourite of footballers kicking back with their families, it has everything from volleyball to crazy golf to keep children happy, plus a swim-up bar for grown-ups.
Price: Weekdays Dhs250, Dhs125 for children; weekends Dhs300, Dhs150 for children.
Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 8am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 3995555. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa. leroyalmeridien-dubai.com
14. Waldorf Astoria The Palm
Vibe: This huge hotel has alfresco amenities to match. The vast pools, white beach and Coco Kids’ Club create a family friendly atmosphere with a welcome splash of luxury – we love the striped beach towels
Price: Dhs300, Dhs100 for children.
Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 7am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 8182222. Taxi: Waldorf Astoria The Palm. placeshilton.com/dubai-palm-jumeirah
15. Rixos The Palm Dubai
Vibe: The unwavering popularity of the Rixos isn’t just down to its tropical backdrop, but also the services it offers. It also doesn’t take itself too seriously. Most people choose to lounge by the enormous pool, or perch in the water by the pool bar, while others swim, play volleyball, or tuck into tasty Turkish food.
Price: Weekdays Dhs175, weekends Dhs250. For something a little different, try The Cure, which includes a beach cabana, a Bloody Mary on arrival, pizza or a burger and a 30-minute massage for Dhs500.
Rixos The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 9am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 4575555. Taxi: Rixos, The Palm. thepalmdubai.rixos.com
16. Anantara The Palm
Vibe: Designed with flair, this place combines luxury beachside lounging with Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. After lunch, float in one of three turquoise lagoons – it’s Thailand on your doorstep.
Price: Dhs300, Dhs100 for children.
Anantara The Palm, East Crescent, Dubai, daily 9am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 5678888. Taxi: Anantara The Palm. dubai-palm.anantara.com
17. Riva Beach Club
Vibe: With its white sand beach and great Shoreline location, Riva spoils its guests not only with watersports but also with its competitively-priced door fee. The food at the restaurant is also good – a wood-fired pizza delivered to our sun lounger is always OK by us.
Price: Weekdays Dhs100, Dhs50 for children; weekends Dhs175, Dhs85 for children.
Shoreline 7 & 8, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 7am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 4309466. Taxi: Shoreline 7. riva-beach.com
And a brand new one…
18. Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach on Pearl Jumeirah Island, just off shore near 2nd December Street, and Union House, features a hotel, spa, residences, restaurant and a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Did we mention that it’s absolutely gorgeous?
