Public access to Al Sufouh Beach is momentarily suspended
A well-loved local destination, Al Sufouh Beach in Dubai, also known as Secret Beach or Black Palace Beach, has temporarily closed to the public. Signs from Dubai Municipality indicate the closure, stating 'Beach is closed temporarily,' with the closure believed to be in effect since Friday.
Responding to inquiries from The National, Dubai Media Office explained that the area is a "privately owned beach." Situated between royal palaces in Al Sufouh and close to Knowledge Village, the entrance is unmarked and lacks facilities or restaurants.
The beach gained popularity due to its vehicle-friendly access and lengthy coastline providing views of landmarks like Burj Al Arab and The Palm Jumeirah. Two years ago, luxury travel company Kuoni ranked it the world's second-most eye-catching beach.
Dubai Municipality recently completed a Dh93 million ($25.3 million) renovation of public beaches, including Al Mamzar Corniche, Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah 3, and Umm Suqeim 1. These beaches underwent sustainable enhancements, featuring new protection measures. Three beaches, in Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, and Umm Suqeim, were designated official shorelines for night swimming, equipped with floodlights for safe evening swims.
In May, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announced plans to develop 54km of beaches around Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah, Al Mamzar, and Jebel Ali. These projects aim to enhance the beaches with enclosed areas, walkways, cafes, and dining spaces. The initiatives align with broader plans to increase Dubai's beaches by 400% by 2040 and enhance services on public beaches by 300% by 2025.
