Are you traveling to UAE to get some sun but wondering what the Dubai Beaches Dress Code is? In this guide we will tell you how to dress on the beaches in Dubai and what not to wear.
Beaches in Dubai
Before we go into the dress code on Dubai Beaches it is first worth differentiating the type of beaches there are in Dubai. They can be categorised as:
- Public Beaches
- Private Beaches
Now the differences between these is that hotel and resort and other private beaches have rules which are a lot looser than on their public beach counterparts however I would not say the rules are overly strict on the beach.
And if you are visiting other countries in the region be sure to check out our wondering what to wear in the Middle East post which offers a helpful country comparison.
Public Beaches Vs Private Beaches in Dubai
The difference between public beaches vs private beaches in Dubai is that the private beaches have a fee for admission.
These beaches are generally attached to hotels and resorts or to beach clubs in Dubai. You will find that the dress code in these places is far more lenient than the public beach counterpart.
I always try to be conservative wherever I am in Dubai and this applies to my swimwear but I would feel more comfortable in a bikini on a private beach whereas I prefer a one piece on the public beaches.
Questions About What to Wear on Dubai Beaches?
One of the reasons that people have so many questions about what to wear on Dubai Beaches is because of Dubai being part of the UAE which is a conservative Islamic country. As such there are strict rules on what not to wear in Dubai for instance you must keep your shoulders and knees covered at all times.
However the truth is that having been to Dubai and having lived in the UAE we have seen all sorts of beach wear on both public and resort beaches. So
What are Dubai Swimwear Rules?
On Dubai Beaches we have seen all of the below types of swimwear:
- One Piece Bathing Suits
- Bikinis
- Burkhinis
- Speedos
and all of them seem to be acceptable while on the beach. However it is important to note that while it may be accepted on the beach it will not be accepted away from the beach.
Therefore it is very important that you have beach covers with you for if you want to walk around off the beach and to enter the beach restaurants and bars.
Also be sure to use changing rooms when changing out of your swimwear and don’t just change covering yourself with a towel in Dubai as this could be considered offensive.
I also would never wear wet swimwear under my clothes when off the beach in Dubai.
Also when leaving the beach and looking to enter restaurants, bars and shops always put shoes on and never go in barefoot.
I personally would always opt for more conservative swimwear on public beaches i.e. a regular one piece rather than a thong one piece. However I have seen both of these types of swimming costumes on the beach in Dubai.
In fact it was until recently illegal to wear thong or G String bikinis or bathing suits. As such I personally would never put these on a Dubai Packing list.
Another type of swimwear in Dubai that I would avoid is a white swimming costume or a white bikini. This is because out of all the colours this is most likely to go slightly see through when wet. This would be very offensive and would get you into trouble so I recommend sticking to darker colors for swimwear in Dubai.
Swimwear in Other Emirates (i.e. Abu Dhabi)
It is quite well known that out of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates that Dubai is by far the least conservative when it comes to its dress code. That is because Dubai is the tourist hub of the UAE.
Therefore if you are wondering about the UAE beach dress code in emirates other than Dubai you should dress more conservatively and check out our related Emirates dress code rules i.e. what not to wear in Abu Dhabi and our dedicated post on Abu Dhabi Beach Dress Code.
Out of all the Emirates, Sharjah Ras Al Khaimah tends to be the most conservative and tourists may see signs regarding appropriate attire.
FAQs about Dubai Beach Dress Code
In this section we will answer specific questions about the Dubai Beach Code in relation to specific clothing items and specific beaches in Dubai.
Dress Code Jumeriah Beach
Jumeriah Beach is one of the most popular public beaches in the whole of Dubai. However even though this is a public beach there is not really a specific dress code here. However once you are on the boardwalk or you want to walk back to your hotel or go into a restaurant or bar you will be required to be fully covered and adhere to the general Dubai dress code rules.
Can you be nude on the beach in Dubai?
You absolutely can not be nude on the beach in Dubai. This would be against all Dubai rules and could get you in serious trouble if you did this. Therefore make sure you never sunbathe nude on a beach in Dubai.
What should I wear in Dubai during different seasons?
If you are visiting Dubai you will notice that the dress code changes by the seasons. Be sure to check out our month by month Dubai guides:
Do you have any other questions about the Dubai Beaches Dress Code? If so leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer them.