UAE closes more than 35 beaches across three emirates after oil spill

The UAE has closed or restricted access to more than 35 beaches and coastal sites across Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, according to Gulf News.

Authorities cite an oil spill, public safety concerns and maintenance work. Dibba Al Hisn Beach in Sharjah is the latest closure, ordered on October 27.

Why are UAE beaches closed after the oil spill?

Authorities cite different reasons by location. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed an oil spill on October 23, and Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah’s Al Hamriyah Beach closed as a precaution. Ras Al Khaimah cited public safety, while Sharjah’s Dibba Al Hisn Beach closed for maintenance.

The ministry confirmed the spill early on October 23 after unusual odours were reported in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. It said the odours posed no health risks. Umm Al Quwain then closed all its beaches and coastal areas as technical teams assessed conditions and cleanup operations continued.

The following day, Sharjah authorities announced the closure of Al Hamriyah Beach to prevent pollution from reaching the shoreline. Ras Al Khaimah ordered all public beaches closed on October 24 until further notice. The Public Services Department, working with Ras Al Khaimah Police, described the measure as necessary to protect public safety but did not explicitly link the decision to the spill.

The municipality ordered Dibba Al Hisn Beach shut on October 27 until further notice for maintenance and improvement work. Officials have not linked that closure to the oil spill.

Beach access has also been restricted at hotels and resorts in Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. Several properties told Gulf News that swimming and beach use were prohibited under local authority guidance, while restaurants, swimming pools and other facilities remained operational.

Which UAE beaches are closed?

Umm Al Quwain: All beaches and coastal areas have been temporarily closed as a precaution following the oil spill. The reported 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 and Umm Al Quwain Beach Hotel.

Ras Al Khaimah: All public beaches have been closed until further notice. The reported locations include 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 and Ghalilah Sea View.

The restrictions also affect beach facilities at 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 and Longbeach Campground.

Sharjah: Al Hamriyah Beach remains closed as a precaution following the oil spill, while Dibba Al Hisn Beach has been shut for maintenance and improvement work.

When will UAE beaches reopen?

Authorities have not announced reopening dates for beaches in Umm Al Quwain or Ras Al Khaimah, saying further updates will be issued in due course. Dibba Al Hisn Beach will remain closed until the municipality issues another notice. Residents and visitors have been advised to avoid affected coastal areas and follow official announcements.

The list of locations was compiled from official websites, destination maps and tourism pages and may not be exhaustive. Individual closure status has not been independently confirmed for every beach or venue, although several hotels and resorts have confirmed restrictions on beach access and swimming.