Abu Dhabi beaches
Replies: 21 - Last Post: Aug 2, 2009 5:58 AM Last Post By: travellingpiercey
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Abu Dhabi beaches
Gday everyone. I've scrolled through a few of the threads and haven't really seen anyone talking about the beaches around Abu Dhabi. Is that coz they suck? Or because the only decent beaches are off-limits to Joe Publics as they are private resort-owned beaches?If that's the case, can outsiders pay for a day pass to these beaches and if so, are they worth paying for?
I am from Australia's Gold Coast, so I am not expecting anything like the beaches back home, but I will be on the last leg of a round-world trip, so I am just looking for a stretch of clean sand with some clear water for a couple of days while waiting for my connecting flight.
Or is it even perhaps worth heading further out to get to better beaches? Or should I just give up and go to some indoor ice skating rink or shopping mall like everyone else?
1
To me the water right around Abu Dhabi doesn't seem terribly clean. There is a pleasant beach right off the Corniche that is public (pay but cheap) but I'm not sure I would want to swim. The word is pleasant though - not at all special. The actual sand beach doesn't come back far.RIght in town; I think that the Hilton Beach Club is one of the nicest. You can get an (overpriced) day pass but it does come with changing rooms with lockers, a very nice pool (actually two of them), and a restaurant and ability to by drinks (alcoholic and otherwise). You will find that far more of the guests use the pool than swim the ocean though (the water and beach are basically the same as the public beach).
The best beaches in the UAE are on the East Coast and several hours away. My very favorite beaches (in the region) are in Oman. But - none of these beaches are internationally spectacular.
4
I think AD's beaches are all pretty average - none spectacular looking, and most artificially created - and nowhere has an uninterupted view out to sea which I find a bit depressing...Fujairah on the east coast is better, but still not amazing - and a good 4 hours drive away.
6
Personally I wouldn't bother paying the big bucks for the day rates at the hotels - they are a joke.The public beach at the Cornice is only 5 or 10 dhs to get in and according to my daughter it is nice. I swim in the water around AD - it does feel a bit 'soupy' at times because of the high salinity but I wouldn't say it is dirty.
There are nice secluded beaches out of town but they are not easy to find/get to and so you would need someone who knows where they are going and possibly a 4x4 too.
If you have the time I would go to Fujairah as it is an interesting drive too. If not, stick to the public beach and look forward to going home!!!
7
ok guys thanks for your help. actually, just while i think of it, is there a water park like wild wadi water world in abu dhabi?8
I think the AD public beach is cool, I go there alot, it's cheap & clean, and the water is not dirty, it's like Vicky says high in salinity, and because it's in a bay it's nice and warm, if you've only a few hours to kill then it's just right, if you want let me have your email adress and I'll send you a photo.9
The public beach is great and cheap. The Hilton is very busy, especially on Fridays and I avoid it because the pool is overrun and you cannot get a sunbed. If you want peace and quiet, then the Shangri-La will let you use their beach and pool for around 250 AED which is pricey, but its gorgeous, although out of the main city centre. An old style taxi from town would be around 30 AED each way.Emirates Palace has a beach but I dont like it. Lulu Island was accessible from near Marina Mall and wasnt bad although there were no facilities once you got there. Not sure if its still open.
No water parks in AD. The nearest is Wild Wadi in Dubai.
The sea is hot at the moment, so I prefer swimming in the pool.
If you fancy something different, you could kayak out into the mangroves to see a different bit of AD; its about a 5 hour drive to Oman but its glorious; 3 hours would take you to Fujairah and its great there for snorkling etc; or hire a boat from Abu Dhabi for the day which will take you to small sand islands off the coast of AD. Great if there is a group of you.
10
to #9, thanks for your tips, but i will be at the end of my trip so i will be pretty much over everything except lazing on a beach or dunking my head in the water.unless the accommodation is cheaper out there. which brings me to another question.
does anyone know any budget hotels in AD? i have done a few internet searches and found nothing that i would define as budget.
11
Unfortunately, there are no budget hotels in Abu Dhabi that I'm aware of. Prices tend to be very, very high However, if you are going in the summer scout around for deals. I best prices I've heard are for TheOne but it is away from everything and I prefer being walking distance to a variety of restaurants (both hotel and otherwise).If you wanted a cheaper hotel with a nice pool - try the Hilton is Al Ain. It's not budget - but it is not insane like Abu Dhabi is and the pool is very nice. There are also true budget hotels here - but a nice pool is a definite plus.
14
I don't think you are going to find anything in Abu Dhabi for $100 a night. If you do; I'd be very interested in where.
