Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved the masterplan for the Jebel Ali Beach Development Project.
The scheme will extend 6.6 km, the beach is poised to become a distinctive recreational destination that places a high priority on environmental preservation and the protection of local ecosystems and wildlife.
“Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we are committed to developing the infrastructure and services needed to offer diverse urban experiences for citizens, residents, and visitors. Our focus is on creating spaces rich in beaches, open areas, and recreational greens. The ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being of the city’s people, create a healthy environment for all and make Dubai the world’s best place to live in.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed
“The Jebel Ali Beach Development Project is part of a broader master plan to develop public beaches in the emirate aimed at increasing the total length of beaches by 400%. This involves adding new public beaches, enhancing existing ones, and equipping them with new recreational, sports, aesthetic, and investment facilities as envisioned in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.”
The beach will be divided into three locations: the Pearl (on the right side near the entrance of Palm Jebel Ali), a centre for beach and recreational activities with options for a lively family beach, sports activities, a swimming pool, kids play zones, a beach club with a pool and private beach for a fee, several restaurants, cafes, shops, and a floating restaurant in a unique location.
The second site, named the Sanctuary, offers a haven for turtles and natural habitats. This area places the highest priority on environmental conservation and houses recreational and sports activities that enhance safe environmental exploration.
“An open beach for the public and a site of global environmental importance, the Jebel Ali Beach Development Project is the first of its kind in the UAE. It is located within the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The project aims to create a unique, attractive recreational beachfront with a strong emphasis on protecting the environment and supporting the emirate’s sustainability and eco-tourism goals. The beach’s development will ensure the preservation and enhancement of ecosystems and wildlife at the site, including enhancing turtle habitats and planting mangrove trees, which will contribute to blue carbon footprint growth and provide an open beach with minimal impact on ecological and biological systems.
“Jebel Ali Beach will be the longest public open beach in Dubai, stretching 6.6 km and covering an area of 330 hectares. The plan includes developing two areas: a 5 km sandy beach to be developed by Nakheel and a 1.6 km mangrove beach to be developed by Dubai Municipality. The area features a unique ecosystem due to the presence of mangrove trees, which enhance the sanctuary and provide habitats for many living organisms. The design of the area allows for optimal site utilisation, enabling the preservation of the ecosystem and enrichment of the visitor experience.
“The plan includes a 2 km open swimmable beach, a 2.5 km diving sports area, a walkway with viewing platforms to blend with the surrounding environment, and recreational and service areas for beachgoers of all ages, including kids play zones, sports and marine activity areas. The beach will be connected with integrated infrastructure, including a two-lane road in each direction, parking for 1,000 vehicles, 80 bicycle racks, a cycling track, and a 5 km running track.”
Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Wellbeing Pillar
The third site is the Nest offering a recreational educational destination featuring a mix of educational initiatives and environmental conservation. It includes an environmental centre for studies and awareness of biodiversity, turtle rehabilitation and care programmes, and opportunities for visitors to learn about and help preserve the coastal ecosystem,
The project is the first of its kind in the UAE.
“The Jebel Ali Beach Development Project is a testament to Dubai’s visionary leadership and its relentless pursuit of excellence. This project will not only elevate the standard of living for residents but also set a new benchmark for luxury and sustainability in the region. We at D&B Properties are excited about the opportunities this development brings and are committed to contributing to its success.”
Adham Younis, Group Chief Executive Officer, D&B Properties
In other coastal-related news, Dubai Mangroves is set to be the world’s largest restoration project. It will span over 72 km (around 45 miles) and is expected to sequester around 1.23 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Each tree will absorb approximately 12.3 kg (27 lb) of CO2 annually.
Local landscape design and architecture company creating sustainable cities – Urb – has put forward the plan.
They want to plant over 100 million mangrove trees along Dubai’s shores, representing the world’s largest coastal regeneration project.
