Al Khan Beach (Sharjah) Travel Guide
Al Khan Beach at sunset, with Sharjah’s skyline across the Al Khan lagoon. Sharjah’s Al Khan Beach is a 600-metre stretch of golden sand on the city’s western coast. It lies between Sharjah and Dubai, offering calm turquoise waters and cityscape views. This well-maintained public beach has clean facilities (showers, changing rooms) and plenty of space to swim or lounge. Families and couples alike praise its “golden sands and clear blue waters,” making it one of Sharjah’s premier seaside spots.
Things to Do at Al Khan Beach
- Swimming & Sunbathing: A designated swimming area is patrolled by lifeguards, making it safe for all ages. The shallow water is ideal for children and non-swimmers. Free outdoor showers, toilets and changing facilities are available onsite.
Water Sports: For adventure, a beachside water-sports center rents equipment for kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing, surfing and flyboarding. Banana-boat and paddleboard rides are also popular. (All rentals incur extra fees.)
Beach Games: There are volleyball and football courts right on the sand. Bring a ball to join locals for a pickup game or enjoy a friendly match on the water’s edge.
Kids’ Playground: A colorful playground with slides and swings sits on the beach, so children can play in the sand. Nearby, the Al Khan Beach Park (the Corniche promenade) has lawns and shaded picnic spots with benches, ideal for a family outing.
Stroll & Relax: Walk the Al Khan corniche at sunset – the landscaped promenade offers benches, lights and lagoon views. Watch the sky turn pink over the Arabian Gulf as evening falls. (Couples especially enjoy the romantic sunset ambiance.)
Eco-Friendly & Accessible: Sharjah notes that Al Khan Beach holds a Blue Flag certification, meaning top ratings for water quality, safety and services. The beach is wheelchair-accessible (ramps, smooth pathways and even special floating beach wheelchairs are provided).
Beach Park and Stadium
Adjacent to the sand is Al Khan Beach Park, a small waterfront park and promenade with a children’s play area (the “Free Play Place”). It’s a great spot to rest under palm trees or enjoy the view. For sports fans, the Al Khan Beach Stadium is just steps from the beach, an open-air field used for casual soccer games with a seaside backdrop. (Just ask at the beach about field reservations.)
Getting There
Al Khan Beach sits at Sharjah’s Al Khan neighborhood, just on the Dubai–Sharjah border. It’s about 25 km (30 min) from downtown Dubai and 10–15 minutes from central Sharjah. The easiest access is by car or taxi via the E11 (Al Ittihad) highway. Free street parking along Corniche Road is ample, but weekends fill up early – arriving early is wise on Fridays or holidays.
Public transport: Sharjah’s local buses stop a few blocks from the beach (e.g. Route 15 on Al Taawun Street). An RTA ferry (line FR5) also stops at Sharjah Aquarium station, about 1.8 km (a 20–25 min walk) from the beach. (Sharjah Aquarium itself is just south of Al Khan and has its own parking if needed.) From Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) the beach is a ~15–20 min taxi ride; from Dubai airports allow ~30–45 min.
Accommodation
The Al Khan area has hotels for every budget. Luxury: Pullman Sharjah (5★) and Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa (5★) both overlook the gulf and lie within 5–10 minutes’ drive. Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre (4★) is another modern option about 10 minutes away. Mid-range & Budget: Apartments and 3★ hotels like Emirates Stars Hotel Apartments, TIME Express and TIME Ruby are within a few kilometers of the beach. All offer air-conditioning and often breakfast included – compare prices on travelpayouts partner sites for deals.
Dining and Drinks
Right on Al Khan Beach you’ll find snack stalls and cafés for cold drinks, ice cream and shisha. A short walk inland brings local restaurants and fast-food spots. For example, Burj Al Khan Restaurant (Arabic/Indian cuisine) and Najmat Al Khan (casual dining) sit just off the beach. Many run 24/7 or late-night hours. On nice days, families often bring picnic baskets or barbecue grills (check signs – some areas allow small picnics). In Sharjah’s family-friendly style, all these eateries are modestly priced, making Al Khan Beach very budget-friendly.
Practical Info and Tips
- Hours: The beach is generally open daily 7:00 AM–10:00 PM. During UAE holidays or events hours may extend. Lifeguards patrol during opening times.
Entry Fee: Free. There is no charge to enter or swim. (You only pay for optional rentals like watersports or sunbed/umbrella hire.)
Facilities: As noted, showers, changing rooms and toilets are available. You can rent sunbeds/umbrellas or bring your own beach gear. Lifejackets and floaties are allowed.
When to Visit: Peak season is November–March, when temperatures average 18–26°C (ideal beach weather). Summer days (June–August) can exceed 40°C – if visiting then, stick to early morning (7–10am) or late afternoon (4–7pm) when it’s cooler. These times also bring fewer crowds and gentler sea conditions. Sunset (roughly 6–8pm) is especially lovely.
What to Pack: Don’t forget sunscreen, hats and plenty of water. Beach towels, swimwear and snorkel gear can make the day more fun (find good travel towels, umbrellas, kids’ beach toys, etc. via Amazon). A waterproof phone case or camera is handy for photos.
Safety: Al Khan Beach is generally safe. Follow lifeguard instructions and swim only in designated areas. (Some visitors have noted jet-ski activity – children should be kept in shallow zones.) The beach’s Blue Flag status means staff enforce clean, eco-friendly rules.
Currency: Sharjah (like all UAE) uses AED (dirhams). ATMs are available in nearby Al Khan malls and hotels. Most beach vendors accept cash only.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Al Khan Beach, the Sharjah Maritime Museum is a great stop if you want to understand the deep connection between Sharjah and the sea. This museum focuses on the emirate’s maritime heritage, long before modern skyscrapers and resorts.
Inside, you’ll find exhibits on:
Traditional wooden dhows and boat-building techniques
Pearl diving history and tools used by divers
Fishing methods, navigation instruments, and sea trade routes
Life of coastal communities in the UAE before oil discovery
The museum is well-organized, air-conditioned, and easy to explore in about 45–60 minutes, making it perfect to visit after a morning at the beach. It’s especially interesting for families and solo travellers who enjoy culture and history alongside leisure.
Location: Right next to Sharjah Aquarium, Al Khan
Best time to visit: Late morning or early afternoon, after beach time
Located directly beside Al Khan Beach, the Sharjah Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the area, particularly for families traveling with children. It showcases marine life found in the Arabian Gulf and nearby waters.
Highlights include:
Sharks, rays, seahorses, and reef fish
Educational displays about marine ecosystems
Glass tunnel-style viewing areas that kids love
A visit usually takes around 1 hour, and it pairs perfectly with a beach visit. Many travelers plan their day like this: morning at Al Khan Beach → lunch nearby → Sharjah Aquarium in the afternoon.
If you’re visiting Sharjah with kids, this stop is almost a must.
Al Khan Historic Area
Beyond the modern beach and attractions, the Al Khan Historic Area offers a quieter, more traditional side of Sharjah. This area reflects the old coastal settlement where fishing and pearl diving once shaped daily life.
Walking around the historic zone gives you:
A glimpse of old Sharjah architecture
Calm streets away from crowds
A better sense of how the Al Khan district evolved over time
It’s not a large tourist complex, but it adds depth to your visit and works well for travelers who like mixing culture with sightseeing.
Why Combine These Attractions with Al Khan Beach?
One of the biggest advantages of Al Khan Beach is that everything is close together. Within a small area, you can:
Relax on the beach
Enjoy water activities
Visit a museum
Explore marine life
Learn about local history
This makes Al Khan an ideal half-day or full-day destination for visitors staying in Sharjah or Dubai, especially those without a packed schedule.
Al Khan Beach offers fun for everyone – couples can enjoy peaceful walks and sunset views, families love the playground and shallow water, solo travelers can catch rays or go paddling, and budget tourists appreciate the free beach plus affordable hotels and eateries. For the best experience, arrive early (especially on weekends) and plan your visit around the cooler hours. (You can search and book flights to Sharjah/Dubai or hotels in the area via our travel affiliates for deals.) Whatever your style, Al Khan Beach is a convenient Sharjah getaway that combines Arabian Gulf waters with city convenience.