Dubai is set to get a new women-only beach this year. Announced on Sunday as part of the second phase of the Dh400 million redevelopment of Al Mamzar Beach, the attraction will include a gated area where women will also be able to enjoy night swimming.
Spread across 125,000 square metres, Al Mamzar Beach is one of the city's most popular family destinations. It already offers dedicated women-only days, on Mondays and Wednesdays, where an all-female staff are on hand to ensure visitors enjoy their privacy to the fullest.
Once the redevelopment is completed, female visitors will have access to their own dedicated beach on all days of the week, as well as their own sports club and children's play areas.
Ahead of the planned completion at the end of this year, here are other ladies-only beaches in the UAE.
Al Bateen Ladies Club by Matcha
Perched on the shores of Al Bateen beach that overlooks Hudayriyat Island, the ladies-only club is home to wellness-centric activities and classes, including Pilates and yoga, as well as Matcha Club, the boutique padel and community venue from Dubai. Spread across 34,000 square metres, other amenities include a shaded infinity pool, private beach, spa and an on-site restaurant.
The venue also features a dedicated children's play area, complete with outdoor amenities such as swings, slides and monkey bars, as well as an indoor playground for the summer months.
Open daily from 7am until 4pm; day passes start at Dh150; Qasr Al Shatie, Abu Dhabi; 054 995 5036
Sharjah Ladies Club
Founded in 1982, Sharjah Ladies Club is one of the oldest spaces of its kind in the country, offering everything from fitness and beauty treatments to food and event spaces. Visitors and members have access to a ladies-only private beach, which also features a number of water sports activities, such as paddle boarding and kayaking, as well as other activities for mothers and children. The venue also includes Sharjah's largest ice-skating rink.
Open daily from 7.30am to 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and from 9am to 9pm on Fridays; day passes start at Dh150; Corniche St, Sharjah; 050 285 1747
Dubai Ladies Club
Located on the Jumeirah coastline, Dubai Ladies Club offers facilities such as spas and fitness centres to restaurants and event spaces. All members and visitors can access the club's private, ladies-only beach, which also features jogging tracks, several sport courts and a swimming pool.
Open daily from 7am to 10pm; day passes start at Dh195 on weekdays and Dh260 on weekends; Jumeirah 2, Dubai; 04 349 9922
Ladies-only beach days
Al Mamzar Beach
Mondays and Wednesdays are for ladies only at this public beach, with boys up to the age of six permitted. The seaside spot has many grassy areas for picnics and barbecues, as well as offering rentable air-conditioned chalets for the hotter months.
Open daily from 8am to 10pm, with extended evening hours over the weekend; entry costs Dh5 per person; chalets start at Dh150 for up to 8 people; Al Mamzar, Dubai; 04 296 6201
Kai Beach
Every Friday, this licensed oceanfront oasis on Saadiyat Island is reserved for ladies only. The venue channels boho vibes with macrame parasols, wooden sunloungers and driftwood-crafted tables, and women can enjoy the perfect beachside break in privacy, whether catching the sunrise or watching the spectacular sunset along the 500-metre stretch.
Open daily from 7am until sunset; Dh150 for a day pass; cabanas are priced at Dh330 for two adults and two children; Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi; 050 283 5795
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
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McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
