Black Palace Beach (Al Sufouh Beach)
Black Palace Beach (Al Sufouh Beach)
A quiet free beach between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, known as the 'secret' beach — a postcard view of Burj Al Arab without the crowds or facilities.
Description
Black Palace Beach (also Al Sufouh Beach) is a quiet open beach on the stretch of Al Sufouh between Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. For its seclusion and lack of crowds it is called the 'secret' beach: it is visited mainly by locals and those who know about it in advance.
The main draw is the clean sand, the calm shallow sea and the postcard view of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel in the distance. There are almost no facilities here — no cafes, rentals or showers — so it is worth bringing everything you need with you.
Tip: Bring water, food and an umbrella with you — there are no cafes, rentals or showers on the beach.
Photos
Photos: Unsplash
Planning your visit
Best time
Early morning and sunset — fewer people and soft light for photos of Burj Al Arab.
How much time to allow
A couple of hours for swimming and photos; there is no full beach service here.
Tickets & prices
Prices are approximate and depend on the slot and conditions — check when buying.
On the map
Interactive satellite map — zoom and pan to explore the place and its surroundings.
Good to know
How to get there
Frequently asked questions about Black Palace Beach (Al Sufouh Beach)
Why is the beach called secret?+
Black Palace Beach is tucked away on the Al Sufouh stretch between the Marina and the Palm, has no signs or facilities, so it stays uncrowded and is known mainly to locals.
Are there any facilities on the beach?+
No — no cafes, rentals or showers. You need to bring water, food and an umbrella with you.
What makes Black Palace Beach good?+
The quiet, the clean sand, the calm shallow sea and the postcard view of Burj Al Arab — a great spot for photos at sunrise and sunset.
What's nearby
Nearby spots — easy to combine into one route.
Architecture The View at The Palm
An observation deck on the 52nd floor of Palm Tower — the only spot from which you can see the entire palm island.
Tip: Come closer to sunset, when the water and the palm's quarters are bathed in soft light.
Architecture Palm Jumeirah
An artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree. From above you can see it in full — the fronds, the trunk and the crescent breakwater.
Tip: Ride the monorail along the trunk to Atlantis Aquaventure — the end of the line and the best view of Atlantis.
Beaches JBR / The Walk
The two-kilometre The Walk promenade and the city beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence next to Dubai Marina, with restaurants, shops and views of Bluewaters Island.
Tip: Combine a stroll along The Walk with The Beach at JBR — from there you get a clear view of Bluewaters Island and the Ain Dubai wheel.
Similar places
Beaches La Mer
A stretch of coast in Jumeirah 1. The southern part was demolished and reopened as J1 Beach — a strip of restaurants and beach clubs; the northern part of La Mer still operates in its older, simpler format.
Tip: Older advice about a free beach with street food and street art describes the old southern part. Check which part you are heading to.
Beaches Kite Beach
A popular free beach in Umm Suqeim with kitesurfing, sports, food trucks and a view of Burj Al Arab.
Tip: The best view of the sail-shaped hotel and an active, sporty atmosphere — come in the morning or around sunset.