Published 22nd Jul. 2021
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The Middle East offers desert experiences par excellence, from driving across the swirling sands of the Sahara Desert to an overnight stay among the rolling red dunes of the Arabian Desert. If you’re after sand of a different grain, however, there are also some supercool coastlines to discover. Read on for a roundup of the best beaches in the Middle East...
1
There’s something special about city beaches, and Israel’s capital has them in spades (sorry). Wander through the Bauhaus city past an LA-style boardwalk (complete with beefcakes in open-air gyms), and excellent al fresco eateries, and walk along glorious beaches until you end up in the bustling bazaar of the old (like, 7,000 years old) port of Jaffa where you can browse colourful stalls and seek out the perfect gifts to take home.
2
After a tour of the many highlights of Jordan, such as Petra and Wadi Rum, enjoy some R&R by the Dead Sea. Granted, the beach itself is not the best, but there are some lovely luxury hotels in the area with tree-lined pools overlooking the waters of the Dead Sea. And what’s not to like about floating effortlessly on water at the lowest point on Earth, some 1,300ft below sea level?
3
Boasting five miles of perfectly white, family-friendly sand Saadiyat Beach definitely deserves one of the top spots when it comes to the best beaches in the middle east. There are two very decent hotels just a stone’s throw away (the Park Hyatt and the St Regis Saadiyat Island) and the area is also home to protected nesting grounds of rare hawksbill turtles – perfect for wildlife lovers.
4
Away from the skyscrapers that frame much of Dubai’s shoreline, the entirely natural and entirely public Jumeirah Beach is a fine white sandy haven in a rare low-rise part of the city. Stretching along the coast, south of the city’s historic district, this is a lovely place to relax, unwind, and watch the sunset with views out to sea unrestricted by artificial islands.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
You can never have too much of a good thing, but you can be overwhelmed by too much choice. The Maldives are home to over 1,000 islands (around 1,192, to be exact), each a jewel of secluded serenity. They’re all sun-soaked and luxury-laden so the only challenge is finding out which one is right for you. Thankfully, we’ve done our fair share of exploration, so we can separate the island resorts that offer adventurous activities galore from those that promise serious serenity.
23rd March 2026 - Maldives Beaches & Islands
Surfing may not be as synonymous with Japan as sushi or sake, but there’s a thriving surf scene in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. The annual typhoon season (especially between August and October) brings powerful swells to Japan’s Pacific Coast, making this the optimal time to hit the waves. And with almost 18,500 miles of coastline to choose from, there’s no shortage of shores. Keen to narrow down the options?
12th August 2025 - Japan Beaches & Islands
When it comes to postcard-perfect beaches, the USA has them in bucket-(and spade)-load. From California’s colourful coast and Florida’s buzzing beaches to Oregon’s rugged shores and Georgia’s photogenic stretches, there’s no shortage of sandy escapes on a USA holiday. Spot puffins on Cannon Beach and nesting turtles on Perdido Key, or stroll past Art Deco architecture on South Beach and charming hotels overlooking Coronado Beach.
4th August 2025 - USA Beaches & Islands
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