Seven best beach holidays in the UAE

Dubai is a popular city escape with no end of entertainment, nightlife and fun for the whole family. It also has a wealth of gorgeous luxury beach breaks which invite you to unwind and relax with a good dose of sun and sand. 

Jumeirah Beach is the obvious choice, but don’t miss out on Pearl Jumeirah and the Palm Islands too. 

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa is where daytime beach club vibes mix with pure relaxation. The resort boasts uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and 450 metres of soft golden sand that’s begging for you to sink your toes into. 

During the day, enjoy some quiet time on its generous beach armed with cocktails and sunscreen. For something a little livelier, the resort’s Beach Club has music, private cabanas, a shisha terrace, a swim-up bar and a restaurant serving globally inspired cuisine. 

There’s also a 27-metre pool exclusive to guests with its own cabanas, entertainment and sun beds. Plus, there’s a spa and plenty of non-motorised water sports to keep everyone in your group happy. 

Key benefits: 

• Day Beach Club with food and entertainment
• 450 metres of private resort beach 
• A 27-metre outdoor pool exclusive to guest use

A brand new resort to grace Dubai’s Palm Islands, Atlantis The Royal is a beach holiday destination that should be on your bucket list. 

The iconic resort sits alongside its sister, Atlantis, The Palm and shares its 2.3km stretch of private beach. In fact, it’s the longest stretch of privately-owned beach in Dubai!

Spend your time sunbathing or catching thrills with the plethora of water sports. For drinking and dining, head to the ultra-sophisticated Nobu by the Beach and WHITE Beach Club. 

Have little ones in tow? Atlantis The Royal is a great choice for families as you also have access to Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium right on your doorstep. 

Key benefits: 

• Largest stretch of private beach in Dubai 
• Access to Aquaventure Waterpark 
• Shared amenities with sister resort Atlantis, The Palm

UAE’s capital is quieter than Dubai and a little more expensive. Plenty of ultra-luxury beach breaks can be found here in Abu Dhabi as well as island retreats and adrenaline-pumping water parks. 

Enjoy family time, unplug on a sandbar or live your best castaway life. The choice is yours. 

St. Regis Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s top five-star beach resorts. It has an excellent location right on Saadiyat Beach with beautiful views across the Arabian Gulf shimmering into the distance. 

Enjoy private sun beds on white sand so pristine that Hawksbill Turtles nest on it and dolphins play in the surf just offshore. If you need to cool off in luxury, head to one of the resort’s three outdoor pools. There’s also an Adults-only pool and Children’s Pool complete with slides. 

Adventurous families can explore the nearby mangroves in kayaks or take a 20-minute drive to Yas Waterworld. As for refreshments, Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi is your go-to beachside hangout with Asian-fusion cuisine, music and a relaxed atmosphere. 

Key benefits: 

• Pristine Saadiyat Beach with stunning wildlife
• Adult-only and children’s pools
• 20 minutes from Yas Waterworld 

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is a royal beachside Abu Dhabi retreat you’ll want to pack your most glamorous beachwear for. The resort is nestled on a natural bay with its own 1.3km stretch of private beach. 

There’s no end to beachside frolics here with activities ranging from sunbathing to beach volleyball, kayaking, sailing and scuba diving. 

Fitness fanatics can test their mettle at the Beach Boot Camp or take it easy with a yoga class. Kids are well taken care of at AquaFun Park and Kids Play Zone. 

If you want to get away from it all, book a sandbar island getaway experience where you have a stretch of sand all to yourself in the Arabian Gulf. You’ll be in the safe hands of an experienced captain and supplied with an excellent array of nibbles. 

Key benefits: 

• 1.3km of private beach for guests 
• An array of beach activities for the whole family
• A unique luxury sandbar experience on offer

We simply had to include Nurai Island in this list of the UAE’s best beach breaks. The beauty of this boutique resort is that it’s on its own private island. Here, you can live your perfect castaway fantasy far away from the stresses of real life. 

The luxury resort is a short 15-minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi and offers an island escape that’s hard to beat. Guests can choose from a range of villas and houses all with pools or direct beach access. 

A gulf-side spa invites you to absorb the restorative power of the sea while the collection of free-spirited restaurants gives you plenty of nautical views. 

Take to the water on a boat cruise, cycle the island or simply relax. The choice is yours. Children can also attend a waterpark and Petit Z kids club. 

Key benefits: 

• A boutique private island resort 
• Kids’ club and family-friendly activities
• Villas and houses with beach access or pool

Ras Al Khaimah is where opulence and adventure meet. The UAE’S northernmost emirate has a city of the same name with over 64 km of sandy beach. 

For utmost privacy and luxury, stay at a beachfront hotel which has its own beach club, lounges and swimming pools. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach is an exclusive beachside retreat with all the trimmings. You can easily spend a whole holiday here in barefoot luxury, never out of sight of the dazzling beauty of Al Hamra Beach. 

The hotel comprises 32 luxury villas with their own private pool, large deck – and the best bit – direct beach access. It’s perfect for those seeking sand and sea in their own secluded oasis. 

As for activities, The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a seaside sanctuary surrounded by lush greenery, the Fitness Pavilion offers water views and Shore House is the perfect place to watch the sunset as you dine. 

Make use of the water sports, private beach sun beds and Ritz Kids program if you have children aged four and over on holiday with you. 

Key benefits: 

• Private villas with direct beach access
• Beachside spa, dining and fitness pavilion
• Beach activities and water sports for the whole family

A resort so glamorous that it’s owned by the Sheikh? It could only be Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. It’s dedication to luxury beach holidays knows no bounds. In fact, its generous stretch of white sand was imported all the way from Bali. 

Beach facilities at the resort include a temperature-controlled pools, sun beds and cocktail bar. Children are kept happy with the family lagoon pool, playground and kids’ club. 

Adults can enjoy some quiet time with a cocktail at the Beach Bar or visit Sunset Beach Club & Lounge for a chilled-out atmosphere, live DJs and dining. Settle there for the day and stroll back for a drink at sunset. 

Key benefits: 

• Exclusive private beach access 
• Kids’ club and activities for the whole family
• Adult-only Beach Club with pool and beach access