Families return to favourite beaches as cooler weather brings residents outdoors, while hotels report a rebound in bookings following weeks of closures.
Families, swimmers and beachgoers are returning to the shores of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah after nearly three weeks of closures, welcoming the opportunity to enjoy the cooler weather. Hotels and tourism operators are also reporting a recovery in bookings following an offshore oil spill.
The reopening has brought relief to residents who regularly visit the beaches to exercise, unwind or spend time with their families. Tourism operators, meanwhile, say demand is gradually picking up after weeks of disruption.
Back to their favourite routines
For Ras Al Khaimah resident Jassim Al Hamam, the reopening of Flamingo Beach means a return to his favourite exercise routine.
Al Hamam, who typically visits the beach two to three times a week for walks and runs, said he was delighted to hear that the beaches were accessible again.
During the closure, he continued exercising at the gym and along the corniche, but neither offered quite the same experience as being by the sea.
“The closure didn’t really affect my routine because I started going to the gym and the corniche instead. But the beach is always better,” he said.
On his first visit to Flamingo Beach since the closure, Al Hamam said the pleasant weather made the experience even more enjoyable.
“It’s a beautiful feeling, especially because the weather is getting so nice,” he said.
He added that running on the beach offers a different experience, thanks to the soft sand and fresh sea breeze. Al Hamam, who usually exercises in the afternoons after work, said he typically visits alone, although he occasionally meets friends and acquaintances along the way.
In Sharjah, residents were equally pleased to see the beaches reopen as the winter season draws more families outdoors.
Hamed Abdul Salam, a resident of Al Nahda, said the emirate’s beaches are popular family destinations, particularly at weekends.
“Sharjah has many beaches where families can spend an entire day together. During winter, thousands of families head to the beaches, especially on weekends. People come with their children, bring food, relax by the sea and enjoy the weather. It is one of the easiest ways for families and friends to spend quality time together,” he said.
He said the temporary closures had disappointed friends and relatives who had been looking forward to spending more time outdoors.
“Many of our friends and relatives were quite sad when the beaches were closed because winter is the time we usually plan outdoor trips. Some had already started planning visits to the desert and wadis instead,” he said.
With the beaches now open again, Abdul Salam said his family was already discussing plans for another outing.
“Now that the beaches have reopened, we can include beach outings in our plans again. We are already discussing a family trip, possibly this Sunday. The children will be especially happy to return,” he added.
A welcome return for sporting families
For Jalila, an Egyptian resident of Sharjah, a visit to Flamingo Beach in Ras Al Khaimah became an unexpected highlight of a trip to support her son, who was representing the UAE national team at a sporting championship.
Although she had visited Ras Al Khaimah several times for work, this was her first time exploring its beaches. She said she was impressed by the clear waters, soft sand and pleasant weather.
“I honestly didn’t expect the beach to be this beautiful. The water, the sand and the weather are all wonderful. It was a lovely surprise for us,” she said.
Jalila said her family had initially been concerned that the championship might not go ahead because of the recent beach closures.
“Until about a week or two ago, we thought the championship might be cancelled because we didn’t expect the beaches to reopen so quickly. We were genuinely surprised by how fast everything was done,” she said.
She also praised the organisation of the sporting event, which brought together participants from more than 10 national teams.
Having enjoyed her first visit to Flamingo Beach, Jalila said she was already planning to return with her family.
“My children love the sea, and when they saw the beach, they were so excited. I will definitely bring them back, hopefully at least once a month,” she said.
