A great sight on the beach is the blue water, and the massive sun is also the exceptional sand beach. It is a 1.24-mile-long sandy ground with soft yellow sand. The skyscrapers, which seem to almost reach the sky and the green everywhere, give the beach an amazing sense of nature in the landscape.
You are expected to see a very tidy and secure beach over which lifeguards are on duty. You have a favorite cubby hole where you can be absolutely happy and lost for hours alone, with your family or friends. The beach has a safe swimming area, and you will collect the ropes in the water for safety.
What about trying out paddleboarding or watching the ships go by?
- Where it is: It is located at Corniche Road, opposite Marina Mall.
- How long is the beach: 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) approximately.
- Cost: free in the public sections; the family beach at Gates 2 and 3 charges AED 10 for adults and AED 5 for children.
- Open hours: 6:00 AM to midnight every day, per Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport.
- Swimming time: until sunset, with lifeguards on duty; the Night Beach adds evening swimming from 6 PM.
- Clean and safe: the beach is Blue Flag certified, according to Visit Abu Dhabi.
Corniche Beach Abu Dhabi Timings and Entry Fee
Corniche Beach Abu Dhabi is open from 6:00 AM to midnight every day, with swimming allowed until sunset, according to the Department of Municipalities and Transport. Most sections are free; the family beach charges AED 10 for adults and AED 5 for children, per Visit Abu Dhabi.
| Section | Access | Entry | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Sahil beach | Gate 4 | Free | 6 AM to midnight; swimming until sunset |
| Al Bahar beach | Corniche Road | Free | 6 AM to midnight; swimming until sunset |
| Phase 2 | Corniche Road | Free | 6 AM to midnight; swimming until sunset |
| Family beach | Gates 2 and 3 | AED 10 adults, AED 5 children | 6 AM to midnight; swimming until sunset |
| Night Beach | Gates 4 to 6 | Not listed | 6 PM to 10 PM daily; until midnight Friday to Sunday |
Night Beach: Swimming After Sunset
The Abu Dhabi City Municipality opened the Night Beach on the Corniche in August 2025, so swimming no longer has to stop at sunset. It opens daily from 6 PM to 10 PM, and until midnight from Friday to Sunday, with access through Gates 4 to 6 and a supervised swimming stretch of about 1,000 metres, Gulf News reported. Volleyball, basketball and football are played in the same area.
That makes Gate 5 an evening entrance: it falls inside the Night Beach access gates.
Things to Do at Corniche Beach
This is a fun place by the sea for everyone.
Swim and Relax
The swimming zone is roped off and watched by lifeguards until sunset. Umbrellas and loungers can be rented if you plan to stay the day.
Water Fun
Jet skis, paddleboards and kayaks can be rented on the beach for an extra fee.
Beach Games
Playing volleyball and soccer on the sandy street. There are beach volleyball and other open-air physical activity centers everywhere.
Kids’ Play Area
Swings and slides are set up near the family beach at Gates 2 and 3, under shade.
Walk or Ride Bikes
If you do not feel tired yet, you can keep cycling or walking on the 12 km walk pathway. The latter goes all the way to Marina.
Take Photos
You can capture great images of the beach gardens and tall buildings. The UAE flag near Marina Mall is also visible from here. On top of that, the walk to the beach pavilion will give you a chance to be photographed.
On weekends, families and friends spread picnics along the sand and stay for the sunset.
Facilities at Corniche Beach
You will have the perfect time of your life at some of the amazing places in Corniche sea. Another advantage of the beach is the fact that there are clean bathrooms and showers to rinse off the saltwater. Moreover, they have prayer rooms for both men and women.
A local library where you can borrow a book or a magazine is also located at the site. There are also many food places too where you can stop by like food stalls or cafes or ice-cream shops. You can have some snacks, juice, or shawarma too, if you wish.
If you turn out to be that one accidental visitor who forgets something, there is a small shop very near the entrance where you can buy some extra articles you need for the day.
Wheelchair-accessible pathways lead from the promenade to the beach.
The green areas behind the beach have outdoor gyms and exercise equipment.
Amenities
- Lifeguards: They form a team that is present each and every day to assist in any way they can.
- Playgrounds: They are available near the beaches where kids can play under cool shelters and trees (at Gates 2–3).
- Water Sports Rentals: You can rent things like jet-skis and kayaks for the fun you would like to have at the beach (extra fee).
- Cycling & Jogging: A 12 km path dedicated to cycling and walking.
- Umbrellas & Loungers: Take them to the beach to lay back and relax
- Showers & Restrooms: These are the rooms that ensure cleanliness throughout the day.
- Food & Drink: Cafes and snack stands can be found in almost every corner.
- Prayer Rooms: The provision of separate rooms for both men and women.
- Other Services: ATMs with first-aid, a police station, and beach literature are a few examples.
Now the view is just breathtaking. You get to take a beautiful sight of the Abu Dhabi skyline as you stay by the beach. It is such a peaceful and romantic time enjoying a walk by the beach and looking at the sea reflecting beautiful lights at night.
Planning Your Visit to Corniche Beach
Getting There
Corniche Beach runs along Corniche Road, roughly 30 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi International Airport and about two hours from Dubai. By public bus, the closest stops listed by Visit Abu Dhabi are at Hamdan Street and Sultan Bin Zayed Street, and underpasses lead from the promenade to the sand.
Gates, Crowds and Timing
The beach gates are numbered along Corniche Road, which makes them the easiest meeting points: Gate 4 for the free Al Sahil section, Gates 2 and 3 for the family beach, and Gates 4 to 6 for the Night Beach after dark. Evenings are the busiest time, once the heat drops.
Location
Corniche Beach faces the Arabian Gulf along Corniche Road, across from Marina Mall.
Directions
The map below shows the beach; search “Corniche Beach” in Google Maps for live directions to your gate.
FAQ Of Corniche Beach Abu Dhabi
Where is Corniche Beach located?
It’s on Corniche Road in Abu Dhabi, directly opposite Marina Mall, along the Arabian Gulf.
How long is Corniche Beach?
It stretches about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of sandy coastline.
What are the opening hours?
Corniche Beach is open from 6:00 AM to midnight daily, and swimming is allowed until sunset. The Night Beach section adds swimming from 6 PM to 10 PM, until midnight Friday to Sunday.
Is the beach safe for swimming?
Yes. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the day, the swimming area is roped off for safety, and the beach is Blue Flag certified.
What activities are available at Corniche Beach?
You can swim, paddleboard, jet-ski, play beach volleyball or soccer, cycle or walk along the 12 km path, or just relax with an umbrella and lounger. There’s also a kids’ play area with swings and slides.
What facilities does the beach have?
Clean restrooms and showers, separate prayer rooms for men and women, a small library, food stalls and cafes, a convenience shop near the entrance, wheelchair-accessible pathways, and outdoor gym equipment.
How do I get to Corniche Beach?
Corniche Beach is about a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The closest public bus stops are on Hamdan Street and Sultan Bin Zayed Street, and underpasses lead from the promenade to the beach.
Can I rent water sports equipment?
Yes, jet-skis, kayaks, and paddleboards are available to rent for an extra fee.
Is there a night beach on the Corniche?
Yes. The Night Beach on Abu Dhabi Corniche opens daily from 6 PM to 10 PM, and until midnight Friday to Sunday, with access through Gates 4 to 6.
