Living in Dubai and UAE: Best places to live near the beach

More development and lower rents have made finding beachside properties easier

A view of the Palm Jumeirah from the 15th floor of Andaz Dubai The Palm Hotel. Pawan Singh

A private swimming pool on a luxury villa, located on the Palm Jumeirah. AFP

Residents jet skiing at Mamzar Beach, Dubai. Pawan Singh

Residents walk along the Mamzar beach, Dubai. Pawan Singh

Recreational watercraft is a common sight on weekends along the Al Raha Creek, Aldar Headquarters area. Victor Besa / The National

Al Muneera apartment properties in Al Raha Beach area in Abu Dhabi. Villas sit in front of the apartment complexes. Ravindranath K / The National

Al Mamzar seashore at Al Mamzar district in Sharjah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

The sun sets over the main mosque in the Faseel neighbourhood of Fujairah. Amy Leang / The National

Girls play in the surf on the beach in the Faseel neighbourhood in Fujairah. Amy Leang / The National

Man-made Marjan Island in theemirate of Ras al Khaimah. Alamy

A man walks on the beach on the Ajman corniche. Chris Whiteoak / The National

View of skyline along the corniche waterfront of Ajman. Alamy

From private beach access in Dubai's Palm Jumeirah to spacious apartments with views of the pristine beaches and mountains of Fujairah, there are many options when it comes to beachside communities in the UAE.

With rents dropping and increased property development, neighbourhoods by the beach have become accessible to more residents.

Villas remain on the pricier side, but apartments that either have remarkable beach views or are a short drive from the ocean can go for less than Dh100,000 ($27,230) a year.

The National has highlighted seven affordable beachside communities across the UAE.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Many people in Palm Jumeirah have access to private beaches free of charge if they are renting an apartment there.

The world-famous man-made island may once have had rents that crossed the Dh100,000 mark, but the area has become slightly cheaper in these past two years.

Allsopp and Allsopp, a property firm in Dubai, has a listing for a one-bedroom apartment on the Golden Mile, with private beach access, that can be rented for Dh80,000 a year.

The fronds is the height of luxury and there are mansion-sized villas with more than seven bedrooms in some cases.

Located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, Azure Residences offers apartments and restaurants with views of the Arabian Gulf. All photos supplied by Nakheel

The Palm Jumeirah island consists of the trunk, the crescent and 16 fronds, which are accessible only to homeowners and tenants.

Al Ittihad park is located at the entrance of the Palm.

Palm Jumeirah, set on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, is considered by many to be the unofficial eighth wonder of the world.

The Palm Jumeirah island consists of the trunk, the crescent and 16 fronds.

This thriving community is home to more than 78,000 people.

In terms of size, the island covers 560 hectares, which is big enough to house 600 football pitches.

As its name suggests, this bustling neighbourhood is carved in the shape of a palm tree. Once completed, it doubled the coastline of the city by adding 80km to Dubai’s original shoreline.

Shoreline Apartments are on the east side of the trunk of Palm Jumeirah

“Buying a property on the Palm Jumeirah is a great investment and good for tenants. The Palm offers great amenities, including access to the private beaches,” said Chris Michaelides, a property consultant with Allsopp and Allsopp who specialises in the Palm Jumeirah.

“The community is consistently in the top three areas for Allsopp and Allsopp sales and leasing transactions.

“This beach community attracts a variety of people as residents. Families, singles, young professionals and couples can all enjoy Palm living. On Palm Jumeirah, you can find meeting spots, restaurants, bars and entertainment for all ages.”

Al Mamzar, Dubai

Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach might be popular, but Mamzar Beach is another gem of the emirate that people have enjoyed for many years.

There are residential units close to the beach that can be rented for less than Dh80,000 a year.

Residents spend time at Al Mamzar Beach in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A two-bedroom apartment in Soul Avenue, for example, is going for Dh70,000 a year.

There is a cycling track near the beach, several cafes and restaurants, water sports, picnic spots and a running track.

Century Mall is the nearest shopping centre and Deira, one of the UAE’s oldest districts, is 10 minutes away by car.

Al Raha Beach, Abu Dhabi

This community is on the outskirts of the capital, but offers spacious apartments and villas that are within walking distance of Al Raha Beach, while some are only a short drive away.

Most buildings offer apartments that are in the Dh95,000 to Dh120,000 range, but there are also a few newer buildings that have apartments to rent from Dh75,000 to Dh90,000.

Most of the pricier ones overlook the beautiful beach, while others have free beach access.

The neighbourhood offers two to five-bedroom properties.

Al Raha Mall is near by and the Abu Dhabi International Airport is about 15 minutes away by car.

Yas Island, famous for its theme parks, is just across the water.

Al Mamzar, Sharjah

If you want to live on a waterfront property in Sharjah, but still be close to Dubai, then Al Mamzar is the perfect choice.

This neighbourhood shares a border with Al Mamzar Dubai, which can be reached by boat taxi.

Some three-bedroom apartments overlooking the beach can be rented for between Dh70,000 and Dh90,000 a year.

One to two-bedroom apartments cost from Dh30,000 to Dh58,000 and many are waterfront properties.

The Expo Centre Sharjah, Al Nahda Park Sharjah and several restaurants are all near by.

Al Faseel, Fujairah

Fujairah is a popular destination for tourists and residents across the UAE who want to enjoy mountain and ocean views.

Al Faseel offers the most value for money, with apartments near the beach, plenty of supermarkets, schools and the Corniche near by.

Volunteer divers are taking fresh coral from Dibba Fujairah Port and replanting it further out at sea to help marine life to thrive there. All photos by Reem Mohammed / The National

Dibba Fujairah Port pictured from just off shore

The divers' boat speeds past the sea wall at Dibba as they head out to sea

Tandi McRae and Ali Aldhanhani prepare their gear ahead of a dive. They cut and collect coral from near the port and replant it further offshore, to help marine life there to thrive

Some of the coral that is collected for replanting offshore

Captain Adam Alreesi from Fujairah Adventure Centre is taking volunteers out to the site every day this week, ending on Saturday

The project is a long-term drive to improve marine life and coral growth off the coast

Two men fish in Dibba Fujairah’s port.

A diver is seen holding fresh coral

Divers Tandi McRae and Mamdouh Abdelghani enter the water

More divers are needed for the project this week

Is it expected to take at least several years for the benefits of the project to be seen

Volunteers described the project as rewarding and urged others with diving experience to get involved

Some three-bedroom apartments are listed online for Dh37,000 a year. Properties closer to the beach range from Dh60,000 to Dh80,000.

Apart from Al Faseel, there are plenty of apartments and villas across Fujairah that are a short drive away from the water.

Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Al Marjan Island offers cheap waterfront properties, with rents for one-bedroom apartments as low as Dh30,000 a year.

The emirate is a popular tourist destination and offers hiking and white-sand beaches. It is also home to Jebel Jais, the tallest mountain in the UAE.

Studios in the community start at Dh17,000 a year and two-bedroom apartments are available for Dh55,000.

There are a lot of hotels near by, so there is no shortage of restaurants and spas.

The nearest shopping centre is Al Hamra Mall, which is a six-minute drive away.

Villas are available in nearby Al Hamra Village for between Dh80,000 and Dh190,000.

Corniche, Ajman

Ajman has plenty of sea-view apartments on the Corniche, with rents that range from Dh30,000 to Dh80,000 a year.

It is one of the smallest emirates, but has some of the best beaches, with white sands and clear waters.

It has a mix of other attractions, including museums, boatbuilding yards and archaeological sites.

There are many hotels and restaurants along the Corniche.

Living in Jumeirah - in pictures 

Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim is one of the most popular recreational areas of Dubai, with numerous restaurants, cafes, shops and water sports kiosks. Pawan Singh / The National

The beach is a key attraction for Dubai residents looking to live in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National

Market and restaurant area at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Estate agent, Harry Tregoning is the founder of Tregoning Property. Pictured at Kite Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Umm Suqeim Park is a popular location for picnics and children's playtime. It is right next to Sunset Beach in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai, with views of the Burj Al Arab and the sea. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the Jumeirah Beach Boad in the Umm Suqeim area of Dubai. This is the arterial road that runs from Umm Suqeim, all the way up into Jumeirah near the Water Canal. Pawan Singh / The National

Tourists and residents can hire boats and jet skis in one of the many 'fishing villages' along in the coast of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the market, water sports and restaurant area of the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National

Jet skis setting off for a tour of the Dubai coastline, from the water sports and restaurant area at the P&O Marina in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Most of the big supermarket chains are well represented in Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. This is the Spinneys Centre on the corner of Al Wasl and Um Al Sheif Road in Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National

Most residences in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim are low-rise villas. Many have private pools and gardens. There are also compound communities with town houses and shared facilities. Pawan Singh / The National

The popular jogging track runs along the beach from Umm Suqeim Park, all the way up past the Water Canal, into Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National

Glimpses of old Dubai - a view of the flower shop near Safa Park 2 in the Umm Suqeim area in Dubai. The area is a mix of expats and local Emiratis. Pawan Singh / The National

Safa Park 2 in Umm Suqeim is a huge draw for families with children, as it contains several climbing frames. Pawan Singh / The National

Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah are established areas of Dubai, with mature gardens and parks. Pawan Singh / The National

A view of the harbour from one of the fishing villages along the coast of Umm Suqeim. Pawan Singh / The National