Travel UAE

Tag: sea

  • Jebel Ali beach

    Jebel Ali beach

    Jebel Ali Beach is located at the base of the second, unfinished Palm Island, which has been vacant for over 10 years. I’m including this spot in the list because it’s my favorite kiteboarding spot, where I often go, and there’s something to say about the beach.

    The beach is divided into several sections. A small part is designated for kite surfers, as it’s a very popular kiteboarding location. The second section is a public beach, and further along is the JA The Resort hotel area.

    The location is in the middle of an industrial zone, far from Dubai’s residential areas. As a result, the horizon features views of port cranes and other industrial structures. However, if you’re tired of the crowded city beaches of Dubai, this spot offers a quiet escape.
    In the public area, you’ll find scenic swings, benches, and a decorative “heart” near Maddy Café. The beach itself is wide with soft, pleasant sand. The water has a gradual entry, and there are very few waves because the unfinished Palm Island is a natural barrier, which is a significant advantage on windy days.

    GPS: 24.985554, 55.017039
    Google Maps
    Photos

  • Khorfakkan

    Khorfakkan

    Khorfakkan is a small town on the shore of the Gulf of Oman, about an hour and a half drive from Dubai (located on the Persian Gulf). The drive there takes you through the mountains via a high-speed highway, with sections passing through tunnels—a surprising sight in the UAE.


    The town is in a large bay with a long, wide beach. Part of the beach has been developed into a promenade with snack bars, showers, and restrooms. The other half of the beach is still under construction, but this doesn’t prevent visitors from strolling along the coast and swimming in the shallow waters during low tide and calm weather.


    Near the center of the bay, you’ll find tourist boats along the shore. These boats can take you to Shark Island (photos, Google Maps), just around the corner. The island features shallow waters, coral reefs, colorful fish, and spots for snorkeling, diving, and picnicking. The round trip, including about 10 minutes on the island, is a 30-minute adventure.

    GPS: 25.360658, 56.349235
    Google Maps

    Points of interest in the city (all within walking distance along the promenade):

    • Khorfakkan Amphitheatre – a large amphitheater located right by the seaside.
      GPS: 25.368385, 56.347658
      Google Maps
      Photos
    • Khorfakkan Waterfalls – a waterfall that appears to cascade down from the mountains.
      GPS: 25.366756, 56.348216
      Google Maps
      Photos
    • Historical Village of Khor Fakkan (heritage vllage) – an authentic site replicating an old settlement. It features bustling market stalls with numerous shops and cafés and narrow streets lined with tiny, lifeless houses. Nearby, you can also find archaeological excavations of an ancient military fort.
      GPS: 25.348378, 56.358621
      Google Maps
      Photos
    • Seafront Promenade – a scenic promenade stretching along the entire city, perfect for leisurely walks by the sea.
      Google Maps
      Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Kitesurfing

    Kitesurfing

    The Emirates is not a mecca for kitesurfing. However, there’s the sea, beaches, and occasional winds, so there are many riders. During the winter months, the wind blows for a couple of consecutive days once every 2–3 weeks. From July to October, there’s nothing to catch at all. Autumn and spring are hit or miss, but you can ride pretty often if you have a large kite. In winter, you can ride with a 9-meter kite, but on average, 12, 15, and 17-meter kites are more common for twin tips—or foil boards. The wind is predominantly northwesterly, usually onshore or cross-onshore at the spots. If the wind is offshore (I’ve never ridden in such conditions), it’s said to be very gusty. Moreover, in such cases, the air is filled with dust blown from the desert.

    Within Dubai, there are spots like Kite Beach and NessNass Beach. A bit farther away is Jebel Ali Beach. Near Abu Dhabi, there’s a spot on Yas Island. You can find Al Quwain Beach opposite Dubai. Less popular but more interesting in terms of wind are spots closer to Qatar, such as Ruwais, because that area falls within the “wind window” of the Persian Gulf. When there’s no wind in Dubai, there’s usually wind in Ruwais. However, it’s 350 km from Dubai. Most beaches are sandy, so you don’t need shoes. On Yas, there may be shells, rocks, and the like. You might not hurt your feet walking barefoot, but you should be cautious with your gear. There are no kite stations. Recently, the authorities officially opened a kite beach on Yas and claimed that there were even “green mats” on the beach. I haven’t been there yet to see these updates for myself.

    Photos: 1, 2, 3