Best Beaches in Ras Al Khaimah
There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Ras Al Khaimah. With their crystal-clear turquoise waters, they offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Some offer water sports, others are lined with cafes and restaurants and some simply provide beautiful scenery and tranquillity. Whether you want to go swimming, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing or just for a gentle walk, the many beaches in Ras Al Khaimah are a great place to enjoy the sun and fresh sea air.
While you’ll see people in regular swimwear on many Ras Al Khaimah beaches, some areas are more conservative than others, especially those further north and near villages. Visitors should be mindful of local customs and dress appropriately.
Although camping has become a popular weekend pastime in the last couple of years, it is sadly no longer allowed on beaches in Ras Al Khaimah. However, you can still spend the day at the sea having a picnic, swimming and kayaking, and children can enjoy playing in the sand.
At the beach at Al Hamra Waterfront, you can have fun on a banana boat or kayaking then head to the nearby restaurants for lunch overlooking the marina.
Flamingo Beach is a perfect beach to chill. Take a walk along the shore, which is much longer at low tide, then enjoy a picnic or visit one of the restaurants and cafes next to the beach. Our favourite is Decaf for coffee and dessert.
You’ll find many families relaxing at Flamingo Beach and young men playing ball games and enjoying free time with friends. There are plenty of parking spaces and a volleyball court.
Along the main Ras Al Khaimah public beach are cafes and restaurants where you can eat with a sea view or pick up food for a picnic on the beach. We like to order Emirati food from Ghayta.
At certain times of year, you’ll see holes dugs and little towers created by male fiddler crabs hoping to win over a female with his tower-building skills. These ones below were on Ras Al Khaimah open beach.
Soraya Beach, also known as Soraya Island, at Al Rams is one of the most popular beaches in Ras Al Khaimah and, for many, the best beach in RAK. You can quite easily find your private spot and, if you have a 4WD or don’t mind walking, you can find the best places further along the peninsula.
There are too many beaches to mention and the best way to discover them all is by zooming in on Google Maps or just getting in your car and exploring. The last public beach I’ll cover is the one next to the Hilton Beach Resort. It’s a lovely, long beach, perfect for walking on its white sand or swimming in the clear, clean waters.
Book Ras Al Khaimah Hilton Beach Resort now
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If you prefer a beach with sunloungers, food and beverage facilities and other amenities, most beach hotels offer day passes.
If it’s watersports you’re looking for, head to Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Waterfront or any of the major beach hotels. You can rent a jet ski, go water skiing or kayaking, or try not to fall off a banana boat or doughnut. Or why not find out how it feels to be propelled into the air while flyboarding?
Ras Al Khaimah was well-known for its pearl diving industry. Villagers dived for pearls and sold them to traders from many parts of the world. Today, visitors can learn about this rich history and culture at The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah and on the Al Suwaidi Pearl Farm Tour.
Book your Al Suwaidi Pearl Farm tour now
And so, many Ras Al Khaimah beaches were hives of activity with fishermen and pearl divers. Al Jazeera Al Hamra is one example of a village whose inhabitants depended on the sea for their livelihood.
You can see more of this old village at Al Jazeera Al Hamra. There’s a lovely beach behind the village. Don’t stop at the first small beach, drive up to the longer one, north of the breakwater.
With so many gorgeous beaches in Ras Al Khaimah, it’s hard to have a favourite. If I had to pick just one, it would be the most northerly beach of Sha’am with its long, expansive shore and mountain backdrop.
If you want to stay in Ras Al Khaimah for a night or two (or even longer), there are plenty of options near the beach, from a small tent to a luxury hotel. See some RAK beach resorts below.
- Book Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah (Treat yourself)
- Book Cove Rotana Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah now ( Mid-range)
- Book Longbeach Campground Ras Al Khaimah now (Budget, deluxe tent or bungalow)
See more hotels on Ras Al Khaimah beaches and below
Some gated communities in Ras Al Khaimah also have private beaches. If you’re considering a move to the UAE, or within the country, for an affordable price, take a look at RAK. You can rent a lovely villa with access to a private beach, pools, sailing clubs, golf club, etc. If this sparks your interest, take a look at Al Hamra and Mina Al Arab.
What you should do know about visiting beaches in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is known for being a dog-friendly emirate and you’ll often see people out on RAK beaches with their dogs. If you’d like to take your furry friend, I recommend the more southerly beaches rather than the more conservative areas in the north.
When you visit any Ras Al Khaimah beach, check for any signs that tell you what you can and can’t do. Breaking the rules could result in fines and ruin your trip. The most important rules are no overnight camping and no fires on the ground.
Wherever campfires and barbecues are allowed anywhere in the UAE, they must be off the ground, for example, in a raised fire pit. Sadly, access is being restricted due to the mess left behind by some people in recent times. Please help keep RAK beaches clean by clearing and removing your rubbish, including uneaten food, diapers, coals, etc.
To sum up, with their clear turquoise waters and stunning scenery, these beaches are the perfect place to unwind and relax. So start planning your day trip to or, better still, pack your bags and head to Ras Al Khaimah for a beach vacation you’ll never forget!
Other fun things to do in Ras Al Khaimah
Treat yourself to an spectacular hot air balloon ride across the Ras Al Khaimah desert at dawn
Where else can you visit in Ras Al Khaimah?
- Wadi Ghalila
- Al Manar Mall Promenade
- Jebel Jais
- Wadi Shaam
- Shimal – see on Instagram
- Khatt
- National Museum of Ras al Khaimah
- Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Village
- Corniche Al Qawasim
- Wadi Naqab – see on Instagram
More…
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