Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach Dubai – A Unique Beach After Dark

Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach Dubai, also known as Sunset Beach, is a public beach in Dubai’s Jumeirah district, famed for its long stretch of sand and westward-facing view of the Burj Al Arab. It is open 24/7 and free of charge, with facilities like showers, toilets, and even a beach library. What sets Umm Suqeim apart is that Dubai’s prohibition on after-dark swimming doesn’t apply here: smart solar/wind-powered lights were installed in 2017 so people can swim safely at night. Locals often call it Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach to highlight its 24-hour swimming access.

Umm Suqeim Beach by Day: Surf, Sunsets, and Sand

By day, Umm Suqeim Beach offers plenty of activities. Its calm, steady waves make it “perfect for surfers” of all skill levels, and surf schools (like Surf House Dubai) rent boards and offer lessons. The beach has complete amenities: changing cubicles, showers, and even lifeguards on duty. Families and joggers also love it—there’s a children’s playground, a free beach library of books, and a paved jogging/walking track with benches along the sand. In fact, even during the daytime you’ll see signs referring to Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach, a reminder that this spot becomes Dubai’s official night beach after sunset.

Visitors frequently plan family picnics on Umm Suqeim Beach. Packing snacks and playing games in the sand is a favorite pastime. Along the nearby promenade there are kiosks, food trucks, and cafés—so refreshments or a quick meal are always at hand. As the afternoon wanes, the beach grows even more picturesque: watching the sky turn orange and pink behind the Burj Al Arab is a popular photo moment. In fact, as the sun sets and people pack up, the scene transitions seamlessly into Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach—the same shoreline, just under floodlights. Families staying late end up simply enjoying the official night-swimming hours.

Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach: History and Experience

Dubai launched its first night-swimming beach initiative at Umm Suqeim in 2017. Under this project, twelve 12-meter “Smart Power” towers were erected along Umm Suqeim 1 (the stretch west of the Wild Wadi) to illuminate the water at night. These self-powered floodlights cover roughly 125 meters of shore and 30 meters of the sea beyond, enabling safe after-dark swims. Thanks to this system, Umm Suqeim became the first public beach in Dubai where open-water swimming is permitted after sunset. (Originally, the lights shut off at midnight, when swimming would end.) In other words, Umm Suqeim was officially designated Dubai’s Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach in 2017.

In May 2023, Dubai Municipality extended the program to two more Jumeirah beaches (Jumeirah 2 and Jumeirah 3). In just 18 months the three-night-beach stretch (total ~800 m) attracted some 1.5 million visitors. As of late 2024, official rules now allow swimming from sunset until sunrise at Umm Suqeim and the sister beaches. Today, Umm Suqeim is effectively a 24/7 night beach—no midnight cutoff. Many travel guides now include Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach on their Dubai itineraries as a must-see nighttime attraction.

Facilities and Safety at Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach

Dubai Municipality maintains a comprehensive safety setup at the night beach. A full rescue team—with 16 trained lifeguards plus supervisors and managers—patrols Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach after dark. For example, during evening hours you’ll see this dedicated lifeguard team watching the swimming zone. The beach also meets Dubai’s Universal Design Code: it offers floating beach chairs, accessible ramps, and special rest areas for people of determination and seniors. Electronic information screens along the shore display multilingual safety tips and current conditions. Powerful floodlights keep the entire designated swim area brightly lit throughout the night.

Beach rules still apply: all visitors must dress modestly (no nude or top-free sunbathing) and avoid photographing strangers. Crucially, swimming is allowed only in the lit zone and only between sunset and sunrise. Once the lights go off at the end of the night (now at sunrise), swimming is strictly prohibited until after dark. In short, Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach is well-regulated—it has its own safety teams and clear rules, unlike most other public beaches in the UAE.

Visiting Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach: Location and Access

If you are planning to visit Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach, here are some tips. First, the beach is free to the public 24/7—no entry fees or special permits are needed for night swims. It lies on Jumeirah Beach Road, directly next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and across from the Wild Wadi Waterpark (signs to the Burj Al Arab also point toward it). Paid parking is available on site (it can fill up on busy nights), but taxis and rideshares commonly drop off at the beach entrance. The nearest Metro station is Mall of the Emirates (Red Line) or First Gulf Bank—a short 10‑minute taxi ride from there will reach the beach. The beach is clearly signposted and easy to find.

For visitors staying on Palm Jumeirah or nearby, the beach is very accessible: for example, Golden Mile 5 on the Palm is only about a 15–20 minute drive from Umm Suqeim. This means it’s convenient for tourists and residents to include a night swim here along with other evening plans. In fact, Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach has its own dedicated management and security crew—it’s fully overseen by Dubai Municipality as a 24-hour facility, unlike most other beaches.

Beyond Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach: Nearby Attractions

After your swim at Umm Suqeim, there’s plenty to explore nearby. Wild Wadi Waterpark and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel are just across the road, offering daytime entertainment (rides, slides, and pools). The Madinat Jumeirah resort complex—with its Arabic souk, waterfront restaurants, and waterways—is only a few minutes’ drive away. Mall of the Emirates (with Ski Dubai, cinemas, and shops) is also within 10–15 minutes by car. On the Palm Jumeirah side, Bluewaters Island (with Ain Dubai) and the Dubai Marina waterfront are just beyond Golden Mile 5.

Dubai’s three official night-swimming beaches (Umm Suqeim 1, Jumeirah 2, and Jumeirah 3) have together become a trendy late-night attraction. Among them, Umm Suqeim Night Swimming Beach remains distinctive for its longer history and the stunning sail-shaped Burj Al Arab skyline. It truly stands as a prime example of Dubai’s 24-hour beach experience—loved by locals and tourists alike for its unique nighttime ambiance.