Ras Al Khaimah’s Beaches Were Shut by Oil, and Seven Just Reopened

Ras Al Khaimah has started reopening its beaches after an oil spill forced them shut. The emirate’s Public Services Department announced on November 12 that four public beaches are open again: Flamingo Beach, Dahan Beach, Al Mairid Beach and the Al Rams Corniche. Three resort beaches have also resumed operations, at Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab and The Cove Rotana.

The closures followed a spill that reports have linked to an Iranian drone strike on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil from the incident reached shorelines along the northern UAE, and beaches in Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah were also closed. In October, Ras Al Khaimah said all of its beaches would remain shut until further notice, a significant blow to an emirate that markets itself heavily on its coastline.

The reopening is partial. Officials say decisions on the remaining beaches will be announced through official channels, and they are urging visitors to follow any safety guidance posted at the sites. That suggests some stretches of coast are still being cleaned or monitored, so travelers should not assume every beach in the emirate is open simply because their resort’s is.

For holidaymakers with winter bookings, the news is encouraging, since November to March is peak season for beach breaks in the UAE. Guests staying at other properties along Al Marjan Island or Mina Al Arab should check directly with their hotel about beach and swimming access before arriving, and keep an eye on the wider regional security picture, which has already disrupted flights across the Gulf this autumn.

Sources: Arabian Business