UAE Oil Spill Beach Update: What's Open in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah?

Ras Al Khaimah reopened seven public and resort beaches on 11 November. Sharjah followed with a wider reopening on 12 November. Reopening in Umm Al Quwain remains unconfirmed.

Ghar.ae | Status checked 14 November 2026, UAE time

Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have restored beach access following closures linked to an offshore tanker oil spill. Sharjah’s Government Media Bureau announced the reopening after environmental assessments and said monitoring would continue around the clock. Ras Al Khaimah’s Public Services Department named seven locations in its first reopening notice and said further reopenings would be announced in stages. Source: cm.sharjah24.ae

Which Ras Al Khaimah beaches reopened?

Al Marjan Island was outside the seven locations named in the first notice. If you’re staying there or elsewhere in Ras Al Khaimah, ask your hotel or host about the exact beach serving your booking. At the three reopened resort beaches, confirm guest access, day passes and which in-water activities are operating. Source: gulfnews.com

Are Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain beaches open?

Sharjah authorities said the cleared beaches and marine environment were suitable for public access and recreation. The announcement did not give sampling locations, test results or a date for the next public update. Follow current flags and instructions at the beach. Source: cm.sharjah24.ae

Why cleanup is continuing after some beaches reopened

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment detected pollution from a tanker spill reaching Umm Al Quwain’s shores in October. Reporting traced the Arabian Gulf spill to the supertanker Gem No. 2. On 13 November, a cleanup contractor told The National that work was continuing across Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, and that some affected mangroves could take months to clean. Beach access depends on the latest notice for each location. Source: cm.sharjah24.ae

Waterfront access is a core part of coastal living, and it shapes how Dubai plans 68 new projects to boost quality of life, including public beach and leisure spaces.

What hotels and holiday-home operators should tell guests

Name the beach that serves the booking and date the update. Tell guests whether they can reach the sand, enter the water and use the facilities or activities advertised with their stay. A nearby public beach and a resort or residential community’s private frontage can have different access arrangements. Update listing descriptions and pre-arrival messages together so guests see the same information before and after booking.

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