Best Beach Clubs in Dubai

By Dom Bewley
beach clubs dubai

Dubai is known for many things; great weather, awe-inspiring architecture, and a litany of entertainment opportunities you won't find anywhere else. But perhaps its best-known feature is its beaches. With winters that feel like summers in many other parts of the world, beaches are a mainstay for tourists and locals all year round.

But on the beach, you have to fend for yourself. Who wants to get their own drinks and cook their own food when there's relaxing to be done? Thankfully, you can look to the curated experiences at beach clubs to scratch that itch. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and let someone else take care of the rest. Dubai has a host of beach clubs dotted about its coastline, but which is the best? Let's find out. These are our picks for the best beach clubs in Dubai!

Including:

  • SAN Beach Club
  • Eva Beach Club
  • DRIFT Beach
  • February 30
  • Twiggy by La Cantine
  • and more!
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SAN Beach Club

Relaxing is the name of the game on Dubai's beach scene, and not many offer pure relaxation like SAN Beach Club. With fantastic views of the Dubai skyline, you'll find plenty of shaded seating to kick back on in this sandy paradise. If the heat gets too much, or you fancy a dip, the delightful pool is on hand to wash away the day.

You may well never leave with a menu full of light bites that are perfect for the summer weather, refreshing drinks, and friendly staff on hand whenever you need anything. Well, you'll have to leave at some point. Don't be a weirdo.

Eva Beach Club

Swap exterior vibes for interior intricacy at Eva Beach Club. From its floor-to-ceiling wood carvings to its decorative features like hanging lights and floral pieces, it exudes class and calm all at once. Even though you're inside, you'll be bathed in light thanks to the giant windows that line the building.

But enough about look and feel, what about the experience? Well, thankfully, you'll find a menu full of delicious treats like pizza, pasta, salads, and an assortment of seafood bites. And when you're inevitably thirsty, you can order an ice-cold drink to wash it all down. Delightful.

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Surf Club

If you're looking for a little more excitement from your beach club, look no further than Surf Club. One of the busier spots on this list, it combines the relaxation of other clubs on this list with a thumping soundtrack that can go long into the night. Of course, if the music takes you there, you're free to bust some fresh moves. Thankfully, you won't be alone in your dancefloor endeavors as the whole place lights up around sunset.

But after all that grooving and shape throwing, you might need to refuel. Well, you're in luck, because the surf brought in one of the best seafood menus in Dubai just for you! Divine lobster, delicious prawns, and many lighter fish dishes are on offer around the clock. And, if sea critters aren't your jam, they have plenty of other beach bites to tickle your taste buds.

Nikki Beach

Keeping things pumping is Nikki Beach, one of the younger clubs on this list. Resident DJs and live music are the real draw here, bringing party seekers from far and wide to sample its beach club delights. They even have a resident saxophonist. Nice.

With views of the beautiful Pearl Jumeira coastline, and an enviable menu of delicious beach bites and refreshing drinks, Nikki Beach nearly demands a visit to sample its ambiance.

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DRIFT Beach

How do views of Palm Island Bay and Dubai sound to someone seeking relaxation? Pretty freaking great, right? Well, DRIFT Beach has you covered and then some.

But it doesn't end at the views; the entire DRIFT Beach experience is designed to drain your stress and rejuvenate your soul. With heaps of sun-soaked beds and cabanas that line the marvelous infinity pool, to its very own private beach, there's a reason it's one of the best beach clubs in Dubai! Couple all that lounging and swimming with a menu of light and delicious snacks, and you've got yourself a primo summer hangout spot.

February 30

A beach club named after a day that doesn't exist, February 30 is a place out of time where the worries of everyday life fade away. Stacked with branded umbrellas and loungers, this Beirut mainstay has everything you'd want in a beach bar - a comprehensive beach bar, lighthearted lounging, and a menu featuring a fusion of Mediterranean and Japanese cuisine.

Uniquely delicious if you're a fan of either area's food offerings.

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Ula Beach Club

It makes sense that the perfect day-to-night beach club would be located a stone's throw from Dubai's Marina. And so it is, thanks to Ula Beach Club, which overlooks the reflective wonder of the Gulf.

During the day, it's become a haven for laid-back business meetings and family lunches. When the sun goes down, expect a more adult, party-going crowd enjoying the kitchen delights and music on offer.

Twiggy by La Cantine

Twiggy by La Cantine needs no introduction. Its all-white decor has been the inspiration for beach clubs around the world. A little slice of Central European style in the heart of Dubai, it's easily one of the best beach clubs in Dubai. But why?

Well, let's start with the 328ft infinity pool, which seemingly spills over into the bright blue sky Dubai is so known for. Then there's the art, which is inspired by the Swinging Sixties the club's namesake embodied. And finally, there's the menu, which offers delicious Mediterranean bites that will hit just right.

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Koko Bay

What do you get if you combine Far East sensibilities with Dubai style? You get Koko Bay, and it's awesome.

Overlooking Palm West Beach and the stunning Gulf, Koko Bay doesn't take itself too seriously. There's no need to feel underdressed here, just enjoy the Asian bites on offer, groove the music, and refresh at the bar.

And there you have it, the very best beach clubs in Dubai! Once you're done relaxing, you might be looking for some more active things to do in this desert oasis. Well, look no further than Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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A woman tries sandboarding down a Dubai desert dune
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Outdoor activities in Dubai you have to try

With temperatures during its coldest months still hitting lows of 16°C and daily highs of 24°C, Dubai has been attracting those seeking out winter warmth for years. And though images of this constituent part of the United Arab Emirates tend to focus on its modern architecture and air-conditioned malls, there are few limits to getting out and about into the fresh air and sunny skies. Let’s take a look at the outdoor activities in Dubai you won’t want to miss! Desert safaris A dream world of lofty dunes and wandering antelope, Dubai is one of the easiest places in the world to get out into the desert. Just a short drive will have you waving goodbye to the towers of downtown and gazing in wonder at expansive desert panoramas. Don’t worry about having no off-road skills though, there are plenty of guided desert safaris to choose between, combining the experience of capping the dunes in a 4x4 with some time on the back of a camel or sitting around the open fire of a Bedouin camp come evening. If you’re a morning person, you can swap the sunset for the sunrise, with hot air balloons drifting across this ethereal landscape as oryx and gazelles feel the first warmth of the new day. Sailing adventures Before the advent of international air travel, it was the seas and waterways around Dubai that were its lifeblood. Signs of its significance aren’t hard to find, from the design of the Burj Al Arab to the stumpy hand-carved trading vessels called dhow which still dock at wharves within Dubai Creek. Smaller abra remain a popular alternative to the metro system for transporting people between one side of the creek and the other. However, to fully discover the sparkling waters head out on an organized sightseeing tour of the creek or Dubai Marina. Green spaces Dubai may not be known for its parks, but know where to look and you’ll find small pockets perfectly suited for getting away from it all. When it was first inaugurated, Safa Park was on the outskirts of the city. Today its palms and public boating lake are at the heart of it all, with views facing back towards downtown and the Burj Khalifa. Facing downtown from the opposite direction is Zabeel Park, whose grasses also include Dubai Frame. Another alternative is Creek Park, whose length of almost three kilometers is covered in flowers and liberally sprinkled with benches. Amusement parks Straddling multiple past times, Global Village is part funfair and part market, sharing the traditions of 78 different cultures across 26 pavilions. Whilst the replicas of the leaning tower of Pisa and London’s Big Ben are impressive enough, many visitors come for the food alone, since there’s around 200 different stalls in all – a similar number to the dining options at Dubai Mall. For splashing around there’s a couple of great options, with La Mer’s Laguna Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm leading the way. At Laguna cabanas overlooking the Persian Gulf make it as easy to relax as it is to get the heart pumping with its Free Fall plunge and surf machine. Meanwhile Aquaventure mixes lazy river rides with the twisted slides of aquaconda and over 100 other water-based activities for all the family. Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing Take to the open top deck of a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus and let the most instaworthy of Dubai sights come to you without having to move from your seat. Stay onboard for the entire route and you’ll get two hours of commentary on attractions including Deira’s Gold Souk and downtown’s Burj Khalifa. Of course, there’s no better way to experience them than by seeing them for yourself. This is actually what a one day ticket allows you to do without having to pay any more to rejoin a later bus. Win-win. Beaches Beaches line Dubai’s coastline and are universally well-kept stretches of sand. Hitting their busiest on the weekends and during holiday periods (which does not include Christmas), they are also relatively popular on warmer evenings. Sundown at The Palm Jumeirah’s Palm West Beach is a particular favorite, since it gives visitors views of the setting sun. Its promenade’s 300 palms are lit up not long after, creating an attractive place for an evening stroll. At other times of day the beach hums with the sound of jet ski engines and speedboats towing inflatables, with wakeboards, efoils and flyboards all available too. Heritage village Created in 1997 but harking back to the time of Dubai’s earliest settlers, Al Shindagha district’s Heritage Village seeks to keep the emirate’s culture and tradition alive for future generations. It provides a space for visitors to explore traditional ways of life in the mountains, on the coast and in Dubai’s desert regions. A living museum, craftspeople such as potters and weavers sit within historic structures, whilst there’s also a functioning fishing village using age-old techniques to haul in the daily catch. Diving A much more modern approach to interacting with the region’s fish stocks is by snorkeling and scuba diving. Dubai itself is short of major dive sites, with Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo one of its top locations. On the plus side, Fujairah – another of the United Arab Emirates – has a number of sites and can be reached by road from Dubai in a couple of hours without having to worry about any passport formalities. Situated on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah has both natural and artificial coral reefs, with most tours taking divers to Dibba Rock, Martini Rock, Snoopy Island or Inchcape, where species including green turtles, black-tipped reef sharks and clownfish can be encountered. Enjoy the best outdoor activities in Dubai with Go City You don’t have to look too far to find fun in the sun on a trip to Dubai. Nor does it take much searching to find ways of receiving significant savings on admission to many of its top outdoor attractions, since Go City does just that! So whether it’s desert safaris, the amusement parks or diving opportunities, don’t miss your chance to enjoy the outdoor activities in Dubai you just have to try.
Ian Packham
Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
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Yas Waterpark Vs Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Palm

Water parks are big business in the United Arab Emirates, with hundreds vying for your dirham across the region. We took a deep dive at Yas Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis Palm to find out what each has to offer...
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The towers of Dubai in the morning fogs of winter
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What to do in Dubai in January

Dubai in January combines Goldilocks weather with the calming lull that comes after the Christmas rush. A reduction in visitor numbers means no fight for the best spots on the beaches or in the city’s museums, whilst the emirate’s surprising range of wild spaces are also at their best in the cooler climate of this time of year. To experience the very best of Dubai in January, check out our recommendations for what to do! Set your sights on the crystal clear waters Taking a new year’s dip in many other parts of the world requires a layer of goose fat and a good amount of foolhardiness, but not so with the weather in Dubai in January. Sea temperatures at this time of year remain above 22°C, peaking at 26°C. Take advantage of this by joining a stand-up paddleboard lesson & tour or experiencing the man-made islands of Palm Jumeirah by kayak. Slip on a wetsuit and you can disappear beneath the waves too. Snorkeling and diving sites can be found off the UAE’s sleepy and little developed east coast on the Indian Ocean at Fujairah, an easy drive from downtown Dubai. The clear waters here are home to a huge number of species, from resident fish to visiting shark and sea turtles. Guaranteed sightings of many of the coast’s species can be enjoyed without having to get wet at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Containing a 10 million liter tank with 400 sharks and rays, as well as enclosures with crocodiles, otters and penguins, crowd pleasers don’t get much better than this. It’s also worth having the aquarium tucked up your sleeve in case of rain. Though rare, with skies darkening just once or twice in the month, showers can be heavy. They are short lived however, with just 10 mm of precipitation recorded overall during the month. Dust off your shades Even if you’ve got no plans to hit the waves, your swimwear is still going to be a vital addition to your packing list for Dubai in January, with the beaches that line the city’s Arabian Sea coastline ripe for a visit. With average daily temperatures of 24°C and highs of 32°C, there’s plenty of opportunity for some time on a sun lounger. Should you prefer your sands untamed, the desert dunes at Dubai’s edges are probably the top adrenaline adventure going, especially since many amusement parks shut down for annual maintenance and improvements around this time of year. Head out in the comfort of an air-conditioned 4WD on a morning safari, with the chance to sand ski and ride a camel, or really get the blood flowing through your veins with a 4x4 quad bike ride through the desert. Save any trip to the At the Top observation decks of the Burj Khalifa for the afternoon – or better yet, sunset. Though one of the top things to do in Dubai in January, chilly (for Dubai) nights of 16°C often lead to blankets of fog rolling in off the coast and masking views that usually stretch for miles during the first hours of the day. Take a walk on the wild side Within sight of the Burj Khalifa’s panoramic windows sits the Ras Al Khor wetland reserve. Occupying the western end of the basin in Dubai Creek, it has become an important stopover for migratory birds since its creation in 2007, and one of the top places in the emirate to explore its natural side. You may even see an Ethiopian hedgehog, although the main drawer has to be its flock of 500 greater flamingos. However, when it comes to wetlands, few can compete with Al Marmoon Desert Conservation Reserve in the Saih Al Salam desert, since it makes up almost 10% of the emirate’s total area. As well as hides where it’s possible to catch sight of Egyptian nightjars, reptiles and mammals, it has one of the world’s largest cycle trails, stretching 84 kilometers. Alternatively, head for the similarly named Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on the border with Sharjah. The UAE’s first national park, this is the place to seek out Arabian oryx on game drives before discovering traditional arts such as falconry and archery. Check out the special events in Dubai in January With the world’s largest shopping mall – the Dubai Mall – ancient marketplaces and outlet villages, Dubai has a reputation as one of the best shopping destinations in the world. Attracting lovers of retail therapy from as far afield as North America and Asia, the thousands of stores have something for every budget, whether you’re a hard nosed backpacker or staying at the ‘seven star’ Burj Al Arab. Even more incentive to refresh your wardrobe or splash out on jewelry, electronics and books is January’s Dubai Shopping Festival thanks to a wealth of discounts. Held since the earliest days of tourism in the emirate, the festival has its allure to those less absorbed in the world of retail too. Food events, concerts and firework displays are all part of the fun. You might even find a new pair of running shoes, which would come in handy given the timing of the Dubai Marathon in January. The biggest mass participation sporting event in the Middle East, its 26-and-a-bit mile course is tackled each year by roughly 30,000 participants, including the greats of long distance running. Be prepared for an early start though, with the race gun firing about 7AM to avoid the heat of later in the day! Experience Dubai in January with Go City Beyond the discounts of the Dubai Shopping Festival there are other ways to make incredible savings when visiting Dubai in January. Travel with Go City and immediately gain huge reductions on many of the city’s top attractions and things to do. They range from the observation decks of the Burj Khalifa to desert adventures and even tours of the opera house. So if you’re considering a trip to Dubai during January, be sure to add Go City to your list of vacation musts.
Ian Packham

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