If you’re staying in a city hotel or just fancy checking out a different beachside resort, Dubai has a number of beach clubs you can visit for the day. New to JBR is The Beach, a low-level mall with a number of casual eats, such as Fratelli la Bufala and Sushi Art, that are perfect for a bite to eat in between swimming and sunbathing, as well as some beachwear boutiques and La Playa Lounge, an outdoor cinema and shisha (water pipe) lounge that is well worth a visit after sunset.
Just around from here is The Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa, with three swimming pools, including an infinity pool at Horizon Lounge that has DJs playing Balearic beats, sushi stations, a champagne lounge and mojito station. There’s also a beach volleyball court and activities such as banana boating and parasailing if you’re feeling energetic. A stone’s throw from here is Zero Gravity, a new beach club and bar next to Skydive Dubai’s drop zone. A day pass here gives you access to plush day beds where you can spend the day topping up your tan and watching daredevils land. A day-to-night venue, the place transforms into a vibrant venue with resident DJs and a relaxed, fairly young crowd.
Further down the Marina, Club Mina at Le Meridien & The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort combines the pools, swim-up bars and private beach areas of both hotels, as well as their gardens and grassy areas, making for a pleasant place where you can settle in for the day. The club is popular with families, so the best spot for a group of girls is the northern end of the Westin pool, where it’s adults only.
Meanwhile, over on the Palm, you can visit Nasimi Beach at Atlantis The Palm as a day guest. This adults-only venue on the shores of the man-made island makes for a sophisticated day at the beach, with sun loungers, posh day beds and private cabanas (best to book these in advance) and a DJ spinning chilled tunes. There’s beach volleyball, sushi to snack on and a boutique with designer bikinis and beachwear. Daytrippers are also welcome at Fairmont The Palm, which has a 450-metre beach plus four pools (including one just for grown-ups), a poolside bar with light snacks and comfy two-person cabanas. You’ll need to book your day pass in advance, though. Finally, Riva Beach Club is the Palm’s first beach club not attached to a hotel. It has more than 300 luxury sun loungers and day beds, a climate-controlled pool, a gazebo bar, al fresco restaurant and activities including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.