Good news for beach lovers in the northern emirates. Ras Al Khaimah has reopened seven public and resort beaches, nearly three weeks after closing them as a precaution over an offshore oil spill.
Which Beaches Are Open Again
The Public Services Department confirmed the reopening on Wednesday, 11 November. Four public beaches are back: Flamingo Beach, Dahan Beach, Al Maireedh Beach and Al Rams Corniche. Beaches at three resorts have also reopened: Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort and Spa, and The Cove Rotana Resort. If one of these was on your weekend list, you can plan around it again.
Not Every Beach Is Back Yet
The reopening is phased. The department said announcements about the remaining beaches will come gradually through its official channels. Until a beach is named as reopened, treat it as closed. That matters for weekend plans, because a stretch that looks perfectly fine from the road may still be off limits.
Why The Beaches Closed
The decision followed concerns over an oil spill from a tanker off the UAE’s northern coast, which also led to restrictions at beaches in Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah.
Where The Clean-Up Stands
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said specialist teams were working to contain the spill and assess its impact. On 30 October, authorities announced that the leak had stopped, with no further leakage detected and a significant drop in marine pollution. Monitoring and clean-up work along affected coastal areas has continued. Beach closures during this period were also announced in neighbouring emirates, so travellers moving between Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah should check each emirate separately.
The ministry also made one thing clear: a precautionary closure did not necessarily mean pollution had reached every location.
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Planning A Beach Day?
Check official announcements before you head out, ideally on the morning of your visit, and follow any safety instructions on site. If you are visiting a resort beach, confirm access with the property first.
Residents and tourists have also been advised to check official announcements before visiting other coastal areas, which is sensible while restrictions remain at beaches that have not yet been cleared. For now, Ras Al Khaimah’s coastline is reopening one stretch at a time.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/Aleksandar Tomic from Alamy
FAQs
Why were Ras Al Khaimah’s beaches closed?
Authorities closed all beaches on 24 October as a precaution over an oil spill from a tanker off the UAE’s northern coast. Beaches in Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah were also restricted.
Has the oil leak been stopped?
On 30 October, authorities announced the leak had stopped, with no further leakage detected and a significant decline in marine pollution. Monitoring and clean-up operations have continued along affected coastal areas.
Which Ras Al Khaimah beaches have reopened?
Flamingo Beach, Dahan Beach, Al Maireedh Beach and Al Rams Corniche, plus the beaches at Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort and Spa, and The Cove Rotana Resort.
