Al Hudayriyat Beach in Abu Dhabi is a long stretch of soft white sand and calm, shallow water on Hudayriyat Island, just off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi city and opposite Al Bateen. You reach it over the Hudayriyat Bridge in around 15 minutes from the Corniche, and entry to the island, the public beach and parking is free. For extra comfort, the paid Marsana beaches add sunbeds, waterfront dining and Abu Dhabi city’s first night swimming beach, while Surf Abu Dhabi, Circuit X and long cycling tracks are only minutes from the sand.
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Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Entry to Hudayriyat Island, the public beach areas and parking is free.
- Marsana East is a premium paid beach open until 10 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
- Marsana West is a lower priced paid beach next to the restaurant promenade.
- Lifeguards, showers, washrooms, a splash park and playgrounds make it great for families.
- Surf Abu Dhabi, Circuit X, 321 Sports and coastal cycling tracks are all on the same island.
- The best time to visit is November to April, early mornings in summer, or evenings at the night beach.
- Contact White Sky Travel and Tourism on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 for flights, hotels and transfers, with Tabby, Tamara and UAE credit card installments up to 12 months.
Where is Al Hudayriyat Beach?
Al Hudayriyat Beach sits inside the Hudayriyat Leisure and Entertainment District, known as Marsana, on Hudayriyat Island. The island lies off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi Island, right across the water from Al Bateen Beach. The address is Marsana, Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- By car or taxi: drive over the Hudayriyat Bridge from Al Bateen. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes from the Corniche and under 30 minutes from Zayed International Airport.
- Parking: free parking is available close to the Marsana promenade and the public beach.
- Getting around: the beach, restaurants and cycling tracks are linked by walking and cycling paths, so you can park once and explore on foot or by bike.
Al Hudayriyat Beach entry fees and timings
The island and its public beach areas are free for everyone. If you want sunbeds, pools and food delivered to your seat, choose one of the paid Marsana beaches. Prices below are from the official Hudayriyat Island website.
| Beach area | Days and hours | Adults (12+) | Kids (6 to 11) | Under 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public beach | Daily, daylight hours | Free | Free | Free |
| Marsana East | Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 10 pm | AED 50 | AED 25 | Free |
| Marsana East | Friday to Sunday and public holidays, 7 am to midnight | AED 100 | AED 50 | Free |
| Marsana West | Weekdays | AED 25 | AED 10 | Free |
| Marsana West | Weekends | AED 50 | AED 25 | Free |
Marsana East also offers multi visit passes and monthly memberships for regular beachgoers. Prices and timings may change and T&C apply.
Things to do at Al Hudayriyat Beach
The beach is only one part of the fun. Hudayriyat Island is built for active days out, so you can mix swimming with sport, play and sunset views of the city skyline.
- Swim and relax: calm bay water and lifeguarded swimming zones make it easy for all ages.
- Night swimming: Marsana East lights up its shoreline after sunset with lifeguards on duty, usually during the summer night beach season.
- Surf Abu Dhabi: the Middle East’s first large scale wave pool, with sessions for beginners and experienced surfers.
- Circuit X: a skate park, BMX park and ropes park for kids and teens.
- Cycling and running: traffic free coastal loops with views of Etihad Towers and the Abu Dhabi skyline.
- 321 Sports: a sports hub with courts and space for big community and race events.
- Splash Park and playgrounds: great for younger children who want water play away from the sea.
Where to eat near Al Hudayriyat Beach
The Marsana promenade is the food hub of the island, with around seventeen restaurants and cafes just steps from the sand. On the Marsana beaches you can even scan a QR code at your seat and have your order brought to you.
- Marmoura: Lebanese dishes with views over the Arabian Gulf.
- DRVN: speciality coffee and pizza, popular after a morning ride.
- Muncheeze: casual sandwiches and late night bites.
- Rain, Momomia and Meokja: more casual cafes and eateries along the promenade.
- 25 Minutes to Tulum and 28 Degrees: relaxed beachfront dining at Bab Al Nojoum, including a weekend beach BBQ.
- Food trucks: quick snacks and drinks near the public beach and cycling tracks.
Hotels and resorts near Al Hudayriyat Beach
The only place to stay on the island is Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat, which offers beachfront glamping tents and private pool villas. Most visitors stay in the city, around 15 to 20 minutes away. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental and the hotels at Etihad Towers are the closest luxury options, while Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche and Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi are well placed city stays.
Tourist places near Al Hudayriyat Beach
Make a full day of it by pairing the beach with a few nearby Abu Dhabi landmarks:
- Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, around 10 minutes away.
- Emirates Palace and the Abu Dhabi Corniche for sunset walks and city views.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, around 20 minutes by car.
- Umm Al Emarat Park for a green family afternoon in the city.
- Saadiyat Island for museums and more beaches.
- Bainuna Park in Abu Dhabi, a free family park in Al Bateen with play areas and barbecue spots, a short drive away.
- Adrenark Adventure Abu Dhabi, an air conditioned indoor adventure park at Al Qana with climbing, slides and karting.
Looking for more sand and sea? See our guide to the beaches of Abu Dhabi.
Facilities at the beach
Al Hudayriyat Beach is well equipped for a full day out. You will find lifeguards along the swimming zones, clean washrooms, showers and changing rooms, shaded seating, playgrounds, a splash park and free parking. The paid Marsana beaches add sunbeds, a pool and seat ordering from the waterfront restaurants.
Tips for visiting Al Hudayriyat Beach
- Visit between November and April for the most comfortable weather.
- In summer, go early in the morning or head to the Marsana East night beach after sunset.
- Arrive early on weekends and public holidays to get a good parking spot and space on the sand.
- Swim only in marked zones while lifeguards are on duty.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water, as the sand gets hot by midday.
- Surf Abu Dhabi and Circuit X sessions fill up fast on weekends and holidays, so plan your activity time early.
Plan your Abu Dhabi trip with White Sky Travel
The public beach is free and open to everyone, and White Sky does not sell beach entry or activity tickets for Hudayriyat Island. For the rest of your trip, contact White Sky Travel and Tourism for flights, hotels and transfers to make your Abu Dhabi visit easy.
Spread the cost with Tabby, Tamara or UAE credit card installments for up to 12 months. Message our team on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 to start planning.
Related Articles
Keep exploring Abu Dhabi with these guides:
- Beaches of Abu Dhabi: Discover Top Spots
- Al Bateen Beach Abu Dhabi: Timings, Location and Tips
- Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi: Best Places to Visit and Free Things to Do
- Umm Al Emarat Park Abu Dhabi: Tickets, Timings and Things to Do
- Qasr Al Watan In Abu Dhabi: How to Visit the Presidential Palace
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi UAE: Visitor Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Hudayriyat Beach in Abu Dhabi free?
Yes. Entry to Hudayriyat Island, the public beach areas and parking are all free. Only the Marsana East and Marsana West beaches charge an entry fee, which gives you extra comfort such as sunbeds, pools and food delivered to your seat.
What are the Al Hudayriyat Beach timings?
The public beach is open every day in daylight hours, with swimming allowed in marked zones while lifeguards are on duty. Marsana East opens from 7 am to 10 pm Monday to Thursday and from 7 am to midnight Friday to Sunday and on public holidays. Timings may change.
Where is Al Hudayriyat Beach located?
The beach is at Marsana, Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The island sits off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi Island, opposite Al Bateen, and you reach it by driving over the Hudayriyat Bridge.
Can you swim at night at Al Hudayriyat Beach?
Yes. Marsana East is Abu Dhabi city’s first night beach, with a lit shoreline and lifeguards after sunset. Night swimming usually runs as a summer season offer, and an entry fee applies. Timings may change.
Is Al Hudayriyat Beach good for kids?
Yes. The water is calm and shallow, lifeguards watch the swimming zones, and there is a splash park, playgrounds and clean washrooms close by. Children under six enter the paid Marsana beaches free.
What else can you do on Hudayriyat Island?
You can surf at Surf Abu Dhabi, ride the skate, BMX and ropes parks at Circuit X, cycle the coastal tracks, play sports at 321 Sports and stay overnight in a glamping tent or villa at Bab Al Nojoum.
Where can I eat near Al Hudayriyat Beach?
The Marsana promenade behind the beach has around seventeen restaurants and cafes, including Marmoura, DRVN and Muncheeze. Food trucks also park near the public beach and cycling tracks.
Which hotels are close to Al Hudayriyat Beach?
Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat is the only stay on the island. In the city, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, the hotels at Etihad Towers and Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche are around fifteen to twenty minutes away by car. For flights, hotels and transfers, you can contact White Sky Travel and Tourism.
When is the best time to visit Al Hudayriyat Beach?
November to April is the best season, with warm sun and pleasant evenings. In summer, go early in the morning or visit the Marsana East night beach after sunset. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
How do I get to Al Hudayriyat Beach?
Drive or take a taxi over the Hudayriyat Bridge from Al Bateen. The trip takes around 15 to 20 minutes from the Corniche and under 30 minutes from Zayed International Airport, and parking on the island is free.
Conclusion
Al Hudayriyat Beach in Abu Dhabi gives you free soft sand, calm water and a whole island of sport, food and seasonal night swimming, all within minutes of the city centre. Go for a quiet morning swim, an evening on the Marsana East shoreline or a full day of surfing, cycling and dining. When you are ready to plan your Abu Dhabi getaway, contact White Sky Travel and Tourism on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 for flights, hotels and transfers.
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