UAE Blue Flag Beaches

Seven More Reasons to Explore the UAE’s Beautiful Coastline Thanks to Blue Flag Award

UAE gains increasing international recognition for coastal excellence as more Blue Flags are awarded to its beaches and marinas.

UAE residents have all the more reason to enjoy the sun and surf of the country’s beautiful shoreline as Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), announces in partnership with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), that several beaches across the emirates have just been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag; an internationally recognised eco-label designed to help protect and develop beaches and marinas around the world.

In total seven more beaches and marinas spanning Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah have been granted the international award after meeting a number of strict criteria designed to raise environmental coastal standards. Another confirmed beach is due to be announced later this year; bringing the grand total of Blue Flag beaches and marinas in the UAE to 12. This follows a successful pilot year in 2011, in which the UAE’s first four Blue Flags were awarded.

These newly awarded sites join a global list of 3,849 beaches and marinas across 46 different countries, from the tropical shores of the Caribbean islands to the rugged cliffs of New Zealand. The beaches and marinas awarded the flag include:

- Emirates Palace beach – Abu Dhabi,
- Emirates Palace marina – Abu Dhabi,
- Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa beach - Dubai
- Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa marina - Dubai
- ‘Open Beach’ Jumeirah - Dubai
- Al Mamzar Beach Park - Dubai
- Le Merdien Al Aqah Beach Resort – Fujairah

The Blue Flag programme is awarded on the basis of compliance of up to 32 criteria for beaches and 24 criteria for marinas covering four key areas: environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

EWS-WWF is the national coordinator of the programme and initiated a successful pilot phase at Abu Dhabi Corniche beach in 2011. The EWS-WWF team has since been working with authorities and stakeholders to raise environmental standards of beaches and marinas nationwide. Other beaches that also currently fly Blue Flag in the country are:

Le Meridien Mina Seyahi in Dubai
Yas Marina
Al Bandar Marina in Abu Dhabi

...all of whom were awarded in 2011.

The seven beaches awarded Blue Flag certifications in the UAE as of October 2012 are as follows:

Emirates Palace beach and marina (x2 flags for the beach + marina): Emirates Palace beach is the first private beach in Abu Dhabi to fly the Blue Flag as well as the first in the emirate to have the Blue Flag for both beach and marina. Looking out over the Arabian Gulf, visitors often glimpse families of dolphins and turtles at certain times of year.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa (x2 flags for beach + marina) Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa is the first venue in Dubai to be awarded the Blue Flag for both its beach and marina. Here an artificial reef has been introduced to the area.

Open Beach: This public beach is located on the Jumeirah beach strip in Dubai and is the perfect spot to enjoy an evening stroll or a rejuvenating morning run while taking in the magnificent view of the Burj Al Arab.

Al Mamzar Beach Park: Located between Dubai and Sharjah, Al Mamzar Beach is a cluster of 5 different beaches. Chalets are available to rent during the day, offering privacy and shade for families and groups.

Merdien Al Aqah Beach Resort: Situated close to the natural coral reef and other popular diving sites, this 800 metre stretch of sandy beach is the first ever beach in Fujairah and the Northern Emirates to fly the Blue Flag. Le Merdien Al Aqah Beach Resort hosts various workshops and awareness drives to conserve its surrounding marine life.