Multiple Beaches and Coastal Facilities Closed to Visitors for Swimming and Water Sports.
Umm Al Quwain | Ras Al Khaimah | Sharjah: Another beach in the UAE has been temporarily closed, with authorities announcing that Dibba Al Hisn Beach in Sharjah will remain shut until further notice.
Dibba Al Hisn Municipality confirmed the closure on Tuesday, October 27, bringing the total number of beaches and coastal locations facing closures or access restrictions across Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and Sharjah to more than 35.
However, the reasons behind these closures vary, with some linked to an oil spill and others introduced as precautionary safety measures or for maintenance purposes.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed an oil spill involving a tanker during the early hours of Friday, October 23, following reports of unusual odours in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain.
The ministry reassured the public that the reported odours did not pose any health risks.
In response to the incident, authorities in Umm Al Quwain ordered the temporary closure of all beaches and coastal areas across the emirate as a precautionary measure while specialised technical teams carried out environmental assessments.
The municipality also launched extensive cleanup operations to address the pollution and protect affected coastal areas.
Later on Friday, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau announced the closure of Al Hamriyah Beach to prevent contamination from spreading to the shoreline.
On Saturday, October 24, the Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department, working alongside Ras Al Khaimah Police General Headquarters, announced the immediate temporary closure of all public beaches throughout the emirate.
The restrictions will remain in place until further notice and are intended to protect public safety.
Authorities advised residents and tourists to stay away from affected coastal locations and comply with official safety instructions.
However, the Ras Al Khaimah announcement did not specifically attribute the closures to the oil spill.
Meanwhile, Dibba Al Hisn Municipality confirmed on Tuesday, October 27, that Dibba Al Hisn Beach would be temporarily closed to facilitate maintenance and infrastructure improvement works.
The municipality did not link this closure to the oil spill, indicating that it was being carried out for separate operational reasons.
Residents and visitors are advised to monitor announcements from the relevant municipal authorities for updates on beach reopenings and the lifting of restrictions.
Complete List of Beaches and Coastal Areas Facing Restrictions
Beach access restrictions have also affected several hotels and resorts across Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK).
Several hospitality establishments confirmed to Gulf News that guests are currently prohibited from accessing beaches or swimming in the sea, in accordance with instructions issued by local authorities.
However, other hotel facilities, including restaurants, swimming pools and additional guest services, continue to operate as usual.
Umm Al Quwain: All Beaches Temporarily Closed
Authorities in Umm Al Quwain have temporarily suspended access to all beaches and coastal areas as a precautionary measure following the reported oil spill.
The affected locations include:
- Umm Al Quwain Open Beach
- UAQ Corniche Beach
- Kite Beach Centre
- The Mangrove Beach
- Al Bahr Beach
- Lumi Beach
- Flamingo Beach Hotel Beach
- Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain
- Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel
The restrictions are intended to protect public safety while environmental assessments and coastal cleanup operations continue.
Ras Al Khaimah: Public Beaches Closed Until Further Notice
Ras Al Khaimah authorities have announced the temporary closure of all public beaches across the emirate to safeguard residents and visitors.
The following beaches, coastal destinations and resort beachfronts are among the locations identified as affected or potentially subject to access restrictions:
- RAK Public Beach
- Saqr Beach
- Flamingo Beach
- Al Rams Beach
- Al Rams Corniche
- Saraya Island Beach
- Mina Beaches
- Marjan Island Beaches
- Al Jazeera Beach
- Al Mairid Beach
- Hulailah Beach
- Al Hamra Beach
- Khor Khwair Coastal Beach
- Khor Al Qantara Beach
- Ghalilah Sea View
- Al Hamra Beach Resort
- Sofitel Al Hamra
- Anantara Mina Al Arab
- InterContinental Mina Al Arab
- Mövenpick Al Marjan Island
- DoubleTree Marjan Island
- ULA Beach
- Rixos Bab Al Bahr
- Banan Beach
- BM Beach Hotel
- Longbeach Campground
While public beach closures have been officially announced, individual restrictions at private resorts and hospitality venues may vary. Visitors are encouraged to contact their accommodation providers for confirmation before travelling.
Sharjah: Two Beaches Closed for Different Reasons
In Sharjah, two beaches have been temporarily closed, although the reasons for the restrictions differ.
Al Hamriyah Beach: Closed as a precautionary measure following the oil spill, with authorities taking steps to prevent contamination from reaching the shoreline.
Dibba Al Hisn Beach: Temporarily closed to allow maintenance and improvement works. The municipality has not officially linked this closure to the oil spill.
When Will UAE Beaches Reopen?
Authorities have not yet announced confirmed reopening dates for beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.
Officials indicated that further announcements would be issued once the situation has been assessed and conditions allow restrictions to be lifted.
Similarly, Dibba Al Hisn Beach in Sharjah will remain closed until the municipality issues another official notification, as no completion date has been provided for the ongoing maintenance work.
Residents, tourists and hotel guests are advised to avoid restricted beaches, refrain from swimming in prohibited areas and follow updates issued through official government and municipal communication channels.
Important Note: This list has been compiled using information from official websites, destination maps and tourism-related resources. It may not include every affected location, and the operating status of each individual beach or hospitality venue has not been independently verified.
However, several hotels and resorts have confirmed to Gulf News that beachfront access is restricted and swimming in the sea is prohibited under the current local authority guidelines.
