Table of Contents
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Umbrella Beach (شاطئ المظلات) |
| Google rating | 4.7 out of 5 (342 reviews) — Beach Pavilion |
| Location | E99, Al Faseel, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates |
| Emirate | Fujairah (UAE’s East Coast, on the Gulf of Oman) |
| Entry fee / ticket | Free entry — no ticket or booking required |
| Parking | Available on-site; small fee typically AED 5–10 |
| Timings | Daily, 7 AM – 3 AM |
| Best time to visit | October to April (cooler, more comfortable weather) |
| Distance from Dubai | Roughly 1.5–2 hours by car |
| Distance from Sharjah | Roughly 1 hour by car |
Where Exactly Is Umbrella Beach?
Umbrella Beach sits on the E99 highway (Al Faseel Road) in Fujairah, on the UAE’s east coast facing the Gulf of Oman. It’s named for the rows of colorful umbrella-shaped shade structures along the shore, which also make it one of the most photographed beaches in the UAE.
It’s a newly developed seafront area — not just a stretch of sand — with a promenade, cafés, food trucks, and a children’s play zone built around the beach itself.
Location Map of Umbrella Beach
How to Reach Umbrella Beach
From Dubai (by car)
| Step | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Take Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) toward Sharjah |
| 2 | Continue to the Maliha Road (E102) exit |
| 3 | Follow Maliha Road into Fujairah, merging onto Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road (E84) |
| 4 | Follow coastal signs to Umbrella Beach on E99, Al Faseel |
Driving time from Dubai is approximately 1.5–2 hours, passing through the Hajar Mountains and a few tunnels along the way.
From Sharjah / Fujairah city
- By car, Umbrella Beach is roughly 1 hour from Sharjah and just a short drive from central Fujairah via the E99 (Al Faseel Road).
- If you’re already in Fujairah city, follow E99 east toward Al Faseel — the beach is directly off the highway with signage.
By public transport
- Intercity buses run from hubs like Dubai’s Union Square to Fujairah.
- Once in Fujairah, there is no direct bus stop at the beach itself — the nearest drop-off points are around Fujairah city (e.g., near the Choithram’s supermarket bus stops), from where you’ll need a taxi or ride-hailing app for the last stretch.
- Taxi or ride-hailing (Careem/Uber) is the most reliable way to get door-to-door — just enter “Umbrella Beach” or “E99, Al Faseel, Fujairah” as the destination.
By taxi/ride-hailing
- From central Fujairah, a taxi ride to the beach takes about 8–10 minutes.
- Fares from nearby areas are generally in the AED 15–25 range, depending on your starting point.
Entry Fee / Ticket
Entry to Umbrella Beach is completely free — there’s no ticket, booking, or permit required to walk onto the beach or use the public promenade.
| What’s free | What may cost extra |
|---|---|
| Beach access | Sunbed / umbrella rental |
| Promenade & walkways | Water sports (jet ski, kayak, snorkeling gear) |
| Children’s play areas | Café and restaurant food |
| General parking area | Reserved event spaces or private bookings |
Parking itself usually carries a small fee (around AED 5–10), so keep some cash or a payment card handy.
Timings
Umbrella Beach is open daily from 7 AM to 3 AM — not a full 24 hours, so it’s worth planning around the close time if you’re staying late.
Monday – Sunday (all days): 7 AM – 3 AM
- Daytime (morning–afternoon): Best for swimming and sunbathing, though midday heat can be intense outside the October–April cooler season.
- Evening: The most popular time — cooler temperatures, sunset views, and a livelier atmosphere around the cafés.
- Late night (up to 3 AM): The beach and promenade stay open, but swimming after dark is not recommended due to reduced visibility and limited lifeguard supervision.
Note: Hours are as currently listed on Google; beach hours can shift for holidays or municipal maintenance, so a quick check before a late-night visit is worth it.
Rules & Regulations to Know Before You Go
| Rule | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Swim only during daylight hours with visible safety signage/lifeguard presence | Reduces drowning and injury risk; supervision drops off at night |
| Respect designated swimming zones | Some areas may be marked unsafe due to currents or boat traffic |
| No littering — use provided bins | Beach cleanliness is actively maintained; fines can apply for littering in UAE public spaces generally |
| Dress modestly in public areas outside the immediate shoreline | UAE cultural norms apply even at open, tourist-friendly beaches |
| Alcohol consumption is generally not permitted in public beach areas | Standard UAE public-space rule unless in a licensed venue |
| Follow lifeguard and beach staff instructions | Water conditions can change quickly on the open Gulf of Oman coast |
| Private events (birthdays, weddings) require prior booking | The beach hosts organized events, so casual visitors should check the day’s schedule if planning around a quiet visit |
Note: Site owners/authorities can update specific rules seasonally — check official Umbrella Beach or Fujairah Municipality channels closer to your visit date for the latest posted signage and any temporary restrictions.
What’s There to Do
- Swimming in shallow, generally calm waters (popular with families)
- Sunbathing and relaxing under the umbrella structures
- Kayaking, snorkeling, and light water sports (paid)
- Beach volleyball and jogging along dedicated tracks
- Children’s play areas and a jungle-gym zone
- Sand-castle building and shell-collecting in the shallows
- Evening strolls and sunset photography — a favorite for social media content
- Grabbing food from on-site cafés, food trucks, or the beachfront restaurant
Amenities Available
| Amenity | Available? |
|---|---|
| Washrooms & showers | Yes |
| Prayer rooms | Yes |
| Cafés / food trucks / restaurant | Yes |
| Children’s play area | Yes |
| Sunbed / umbrella rental | Yes (paid) |
| Lifeguard presence | Yes, during regular hours |
| Public parking | Yes (small fee) |
| Direct public bus stop | No — taxi/car recommended |
Nearby Attractions to Combine With Your Visit
- Fujairah Fort — historic hilltop fort with panoramic city views
- Al Bidyah Mosque — the UAE’s oldest mosque, known for its distinctive architecture
- Snoopy Island — popular snorkeling and diving spot just off the coast
- Fujairah Museum — local history and heritage exhibits
Restaurants Right On or Near Umbrella Beach
Umbrella Beach itself is lined with sit-down restaurants and food trucks, so most visitors don’t need to travel elsewhere for a meal — options range from Greek and Lebanese to British and Turkish cuisine, several with direct sea views.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steki | Greek | Right on the beach; sea-view terrace, known for seafood mezze |
| Mara Lounge | International/Tex-Mex/Asian | Beachfront terrace, popular for breakfast and sunset dinners |
| Al Nouman Restaurant | Lebanese | Open daily 9 AM–12 AM (till 1 AM Fri–Sat); vegan/vegetarian options |
| The Orangery | British/European | Quaint café-restaurant with mocktail menu, no alcohol served |
| MADO Restaurant & Cafe | Turkish | Halal, indoor and outdoor seating |
Tip: several of these get busy around sunset — arriving slightly early or booking ahead for dinner is worth it in peak season (October–April).
Hotels Near Umbrella Beach
Umbrella Beach is close enough to central Fujairah that most hotels in the city put you within a 5–15 minute drive (or in some cases a walkable distance) of the beach.
| Hotel | Category | Approx. distance from Umbrella Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Al Bahar Hotel & Resort | Beachfront resort | A few minutes’ drive / short walk |
| Royal M Hotel Fujairah by Gewan | 5-star | ~10 minute drive |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Fujairah City | Upscale | ~10 minute drive |
| Palace Beach Resort Fujairah | Family resort | ~10 minute drive |
| V Hotel Fujairah | Mid-range | ~10 minute drive |
| City Tower Hotel | Budget-friendly | ~10–15 minute drive |
Prices and availability change frequently — checking a booking platform closer to your travel date will give the most accurate current rates.
FAQs
Is there an entry fee for Umbrella Beach?
No. Entry is completely free with no ticket, permit, or booking required. Only extras like umbrella/sunbed rental, water sports, and food are paid.
Where exactly is Umbrella Beach located?
It’s on the E99 highway in Al Faseel, Fujairah, UAE — on the country’s east coast facing the Gulf of Oman.
How do I get to Umbrella Beach from Dubai?
By car, it’s about a 1.5–2 hour drive via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road (E84) into Fujairah, then following signs to E99/Al Faseel. There’s no direct public bus to the beach itself, so many visitors combine an intercity bus to Fujairah with a taxi for the final leg.
Is Umbrella Beach open at night?
Yes, it’s open until 3 AM daily, but swimming after dark isn’t recommended due to lower visibility and less supervision.
Is Umbrella Beach good for families?
Yes — shallow, generally calm water, a children’s play area, and a family-friendly evening atmosphere make it one of Fujairah’s most popular family beaches.
Do I need to book in advance?
No booking is needed for a regular beach visit. Advance booking only applies if you’re organizing a private event like a birthday or wedding on-site.
Your Umbrella Beach Cheat Sheet
Good pairing: sunset visit + dinner at one of the on-site cafés
Best months: October–April
Bring: sunscreen, water, cash/card for parking and rentals
Getting there: car or taxi (public bus doesn’t reach the beach directly)
Budget for: parking (~AED 5–10) + any rentals or water sports you plan to do
Umbrella Beach is just one stop on the UAE’s coastline — and honestly, it’s not even the most surprising one. If you’re curious what else is hiding along this coast (the spots most tourists never find), eyeofuae.com has the full story.
