Dubai’s top tourist attractions aren’t limited to shopping malls, amusement parks and the breathtakingly unique skyscrapers. Each year, a large number of locals and tourists visit the beaches in Dubai to enjoy the cool breeze, water sport activities and the year-round sunshine. Beaches like Jumeirah Public Beach, Al Sufouh Beach and Kite Beach are extremely popular among those looking to make the most of the weather.
The reason people prefer to spend time relaxing on the sandy stretch is that the facilities and the activities on offer keep growing. From thrilling water sports to international restaurants, you will find it all.
Moreover, being a multicultural city, Dubai embraces all cultures and customs. Businesses also take advantage of having such a large audience and offer unique products and services to beach visitors.
Most beaches in Dubai have excellent basic facilities including lifeguards, changing rooms and shower facilities. What’s important to note is that each beach has something unique to offer.
Al Sufouh Beach, Dubai is also known as Secret Beach because of its calm and peaceful environment. In fact, it’s easy to miss this hidden gem as there is a thick cover of 5-star hotels and palaces in the area! Not to forget, beautiful panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab make it unique amongst the top beaches in Dubai.
All about the Al Sufouh Beach
Also known as Black Palace Beach due to its proximity to the palace of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, one must witness this natural beauty at least once. We’ve put together a complete guide for your trip to Al Sufouh Beach, so you can plan your next adventure without the slightest worry.
Why Al Sufouh Beach?
With so many fantastic beaches in Dubai, one has to consciously make a choice. If your preference is to go to a buzzing beach with lots to do, Al Sufouh Beach isn’t perhaps the best choice. However, there are times when the beaches can get too busy with action dwellers. Especially during peak tourist season, you could find the famous ones like JBR Beach, La Mer and Kite Beach to be fairly crowded.
In such a situation, Al Sufouh Beach offers a wonderful alternative. Located close to the Royal Palace, Al Sufouh Beach is a quiet place. It has amazing views and the location is also ideal. Nonetheless, it is one of those beaches whose popularity hasn’t yet gone through the roof. Hence, the name Secret Beach.
Why is the beach not well known you ask? It has been kept that way perhaps by design. We can take a cue from the fact that there are no large signboards directing public towards the entrance. You have to actively look for it to find it. Furthermore, there are stretches of palm trees which hide the beach entrance.
Perhaps, the best part is that there is plenty of privacy here. You will find open spaces on the pristine white beach sand. The two-and-a-half kilometre sandy stretch is ideal for those who prefer a calm environment.
Even on the relatively busy day, you can find a spot for yourself and your family. Add to it the beautiful view, and it makes for a perfect day out. The iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah are on the two ends. So this beach is perfect for some selfies too.
On the flip side, however, there aren’t many water sports activities on offer at this Secret Beach. So when you visit, it would be best to bring your beach volleyball or football. Similarly, the sea is quite shallow near the shore, so even children can take a dip in the ocean.
So summing up, the tranquillity you associate with a beach is on offer at the Black Palace Beach. Similarly, you could engage in sporting activities on your own accord.
Those looking for a quiet spot to relax by the calm waters will surely be pleased as you won’t find people walking past you at all times as you lay down for sunbathing. All these factors add up to make the Al Sufouh Beach a perfect spot for a family holiday. Those who own or rent apartments in Al Sufouh can visit the place regularly to relax.
How should I prepare for a trip to Al Sufouh Beach?
There are some great advantages in being a relatively little known beach, but there are some downsides to it as well. For example, there are no shower rooms or toilets on the beach. Especially if you have kids, this can be a problem. There are lifeguards so you don’t have to worry about safety as such.
Similarly, there are no restaurants on the beach. But you can always bring along some food from home or drive to another area. Alternatively, if you intend to stay in a hotel close by, there are some excellent options such as Radisson Blue Hotel, Media One Hotel and Arjaan by Rotana.
Getting to the Al Sufouh Beach
No direct buses and trains will take you to Al Sufouh Beach location. Bus 88 will drop you close but still, you will have to walk for a while to get to the beach.
The easiest way is to take a car. Continue driving on the Al Sufouh Road (from Madinat Jumeirah) and look for the entrance on the right-hand side closely. Since there are a series of palaces on the coast, you have to be careful not to miss the entrance. If you do, the next U-turn is about two kilometres away.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here is a general list of rules applicable to all beaches in the UAE. Failing to follow these rules may land you in trouble, so read on.
- Swimwear is only for the beach area. You are not allowed to walk around the street in swimwear.
- PDA is strictly prohibited.
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed.
- No littering.
- Don’t take pictures of other beach-goers.
This completes our review of the Al Sufouh Beach. The phrase ‘spoilt for choice’ perfectly describes the beaches in Dubai. For a peaceful and fun day, head to this secret beach in Dubai and relax under the glorious sun. There aren’t many typical beachy things on offer here, but it is a more natural experience.
For those looking for more exciting activities, Jumeirah Public Beach is an excellent alternative. If you want to test your watersports skills, Kite Beach is the place to be. It’s also a good spot to admire the amazing views of Burj Al Arab.
Fancy a few hours of beach entertainment while visiting the cultural capital of the UAE? Enjoy glorious views and various beach activities like watersports, boating and swimming at one of the picture-perfect beaches in the emirate. Sharjah’s Al Khan Beach is a favourite among locals and tourists.
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