The heat of summer is fast approaching, and we all know what that means.

Yep, it’s time to lap up the sunshine and make the best of the great outdoors before it’s simply too hot to be lounging outside. With exactly that in mind, here are some of the best beach clubs to soak up the rays.

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The best beach clubs to book before the heat hits

Barasti

A totally free pool day? You heard right. This casual beach bar offers everyone daily complimentary pool and beach access. Sign us up.
Free. Open daily from 11am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh (04 318 1313).

Beach by FIVE

Spanning a 150-metre stretch of sandy beach, the beach club features sun loungers, cabanas, hot tubs and an extremely Instagrammable glass-sided pool starring a one-of-a-kind chandelier. There’s also a range of signature drinks to sip while you soak up the sun and a menu of Mediterranean-style bites. Prices vary by day and ladies get the full amount back to spend on food and drinks. Get that in the group WhatsApp chat, ladies.
Free for ladies on Mon-Wed, Dhs200 for gents (redeemable on F&B), Thu, Fri and Sun; Dhs200 for ladies (including regular sunbed and fully redeemable), Dhs300 for gents (including regular sunbed and fully redeemable), Sun-Fri 9am-7.30am. FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah (04 455 9988).

Bla Bla

When beach day equals party day, Bla Bla beach club is a no-brainer. Set within the sprawling mini resort that is Bla Bla on JBR’s beachfront (there are 20 bars and three restaurants, no less). Delivering exuberant Ibiza-inspired vibes, lots of live entertainment, a fancy pool complete with in-water sun loungers, four-poster cabanas, sumptuous day beds and picturesque views of Ain Dubai. You’ll also be able to catch the monthly day-to-night pool party, a weekly Sunday brunch by the pool and Miami Beats ladies’ day on Tuesdays. Preening and partying by the pool opportunities don’t get much better than this (if that’s your bag).
Dhs200 (fully redeemable) on food and beverages, Mon- Fri. Dhs300 (fully redeemable on food and beverages) Weekends. Open daily 10am-sunset. The Beach opposite JBR, blabladubai.ae (058 606 3535).

DRIFT Beach

Super sleek and ever so elegant (the alluring no kids allowed rule plays a big part), DRIFT at the One&Only Royal Mirage is one of the classiest beach clubs of them all. The island bed-flanked pool is a beaut, the sun-dappled, Provencal-inspired restaurant is lovely and the bar is a fabulous spot for sundowners, with pink grape and holiday feels aplenty. Treat yourself to a day at this chic spot when you want to unwind in laid laid-back yet luxurious style.
Dhs200 Mon-Thu, Dhs250 Fri-Sun. 10am-7pm. One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh. driftbeachdubai.com (04 315 2200).

February 30

Named after a date that doesn’t exist, Beirut-born restaurant February 30 has already made a name for itself on Palm West Beach. It draws in a varied crowd, from fashionable millennial types to families with toddlers that run wild on the sand, even into the later hours. Dubai-based chef Reif Kushiyaki has curated a menu of light bites. The bar is also decently priced for its prime Palm beachfront location on prime Palm beachfront.
Dhs150 (fully redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs250 (fully redeemable) on weekends. Daily, noon-2am. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeriah. February30dubai.com. (04 244 7200).

Fluid Beach Club

If impressive views are an essential accompaniment to your poolside bathing and lazing (in addition to a chilled drink, of course), Fluid Beach Club at the trendy beachfront hotel Th8 Palm is the spot for you. A sleek, streamlined infinity pool area complete with chic white sunbeds and pops of colours courtesy of bright red parasols offers up views of the Ain Dubai, Marina skyline and the Palm itself (there are private and group cabana options too). The vibe here is chic yet chilled throughout the day, with the music getting louder and the atmosphere more hedonistic as early evening transitions into the night.
Dhs200 (fully redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs250 (fully redeemable) on weekends. Daily 9am-midnight. Th8 Palm, Palm Jumeirah. th8palmdubai.com/fluid-beach-club/ (04 525 8888).

Koko Bay

Pet-friendly? Check. Stellar views with the Dubai Marina skyline glistening in the background? Check. Bali beach vibes? Check. With a fantastic location along Palm West Beach and on-trend décor, Koko Bay has fast become a hotspot, especially for sundowners during the cool winter weather and the mixed drinks are all very Insta-worthy and star-unusual ingredients including dates, banana purée, homemade pandan syrup, kaffir leaves, liquid smoke and mascarpone cheese.
Dhs150 (fully redeemable) on weekdays and Dhs250 (fully redeemable) on weekends. Mon-Thu, 10am-midnight, Fri 10am-1am, Sat 8am-1am, Sun 8am-12am. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, kokobay.co (04 572 3444).

KYMA

A Greek-inspired restaurant and beach club that feels a la Mykonos or Santorini. Experience authentic Greek flavours with dishes such as grilled meats, truffled seabream, feta loukoums and moussaka. Feel the sand between your toes and lounge around in the relaxing neutral tones while sipping your favourite drink. Prices vary on the weekends and weekdays, all of which are non-redeemable.
Dhs200 (non-redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs250 (non-redeemable) on weekends. Open daily 10am-8pm (pool) noon-2am (restaurant). Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeriah. kymabeach.ae.

Lucky Fish

You won’t land any prizes for guessing the headline acts here. Lucky Fish sprinkles Italian, French, and Spanish flair into a chic Mediterranean menu and dishes are fresh: think fritto misto, freshly grilled catch of the day, king crab spaghetti, octopus and the sort. Feeling lucky? You don’t have to be.
Dhs300 (Dhs250 redeemable) Mon-Thu, Dhs300 (Dhs250 redeemable) Fri-Sun. Daily, 11am-3am. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, luckyfishdubai.com (04 569 3447).

Nammos

Nammos, the UAE incarnation of the Mykonos beach hotspot spot of the same name, is as trendy as it is Instagrammable as it is stylish. Thanks to a greenery-surrounded private terrace, deliberately understated yet chic restaurant (think distressed exposed wood, plush linens, sandstone tones) and the focal point for today, a pristine stretch of silky sand resplendent with reclining beds ably shaded by striped turquoise-blue parasols this is a fabulous place to while away the day.
Dhs300 above six years old (non-redeemable). Daily 12.30pm-2am. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 1. nammos.gr/nammos-dubai (04 340 1002).

Nikki Beach

Nikki Beach is famed the world over, with brilliant beach clubs from Marbella to Saint Barth, St Tropez to the original in Miami. In Dubai, the popular beach club can be found on Pearl Jumeira, a gorgeous location with incredible sea views and a lively, fun-loving vibe. A huge pool is set back from a beautiful sandy beach, while you’ll find plenty of cabanas and day beds, prime for lounging while you take in the live entertainment before dancing to the DJ as the sun sets.
Dhs200, weekdays (non-reedamble) Opium Beds for up to 3 guests start from Dhs1,000
Dhs300 (non-reedamble), Opium Beds for up to 3 guests start from Dhs2,000
Pearl Jumeira, dubai.nikkibeach.com (04 376 6162).

Peaches & Cream

Bringing a taste of ’80s Miami Beach to the sands of Palm Jumeirah, the beach club Peaches & Cream is located at Clubhouse Al Nafura by the Shoreline Apartments. The vibrant beach club is joining Aussie-themed Byron Bathers and RIVA Beach Club. A trifecta of clubs that are firmly putting Shoreline on the beachside dining map, these venues serve those looking for a paired-back, casual feel sans the pumping music of West Palm Beach. With an emphasis on casual dining and a retro feel, Peaches & Cream is a family-friendly venue that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Mediterranean-themed menu includes a host of breakfast options (think mushroom-smattered toast with perfectly poached eggs), fresh seafood dishes, paellas and freshly made pizzas – which we can confirm are as delicious as they look.
Dhs100 (fully redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs150 (fully redeemable) on weekends. Daily, 8am-midnight. Clubhouse Al Nafura by the Shoreline Apartments (052 947 4552).

Playa

Peruvian and Japanese fare is on the menu at the space that is the newest spot to join The Club. Expect bold and eclectic décor inside and a relaxing vibe outside. The beach area provides the perfect backdrop to relax and unwind with a separate menu filled with nibbles and light dishes inspired by Nikkei cuisine.
Dhs250 (fully redeemable) Mon-Thu, Dhs350 (fully redeemable) Fri-Sun, Dhs500 (Dhs350 redeemable) daily for front row sunbed. Daily 10am-2pm, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeriah.

RIVA Beach Club

One of Dubai’s best all-round beach clubs and a great pick for families thanks to the chilled atmosphere, spacious strip of beach (plenty of room for sandcastles, sun loungers and splashing in the shallows) and the duo of swimming pools. Handily, the onsite restaurant also has a menu packed with family-friendly favourites – pizzas, pasta, burgers, classic salads – and a cocktail list likely to appeal to adults (all the better for sipping while assuming the horizontal position on a lounger).
Dhs95 (fully redeemable) weekdays. Dhs125, (fully redeemable) weekends Daily 7am-11pm. Shoreline Apartments Building 8, Palm Jumeirah (04 430 9466).

SĀN

Cool interiors welcome guests for a day-to-night experience. Named after Africa’s first indigenous tribe, there is a stunning beach complete with loungers as well as a large infinity pool, submerged pool bar and an indoor restaurant with an open kitchen.
Dhs200 per couple (Non-redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs250 (non-redeemable) on weekends. Sun-Thu, 9am-midnight, Fri-Sat 9am-1am. Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeriah (04 458 0499).

Soluna Beach Club

There’s a family-friendly new beach club at Baiqis Residences on Palm Jumeirah. Soluna Beach Club is billing itself as a family-friendly spot (and even has a shallow pool area reserved for kids). As for dining, there are lots of options including bakery Risen Café and Ènas, that serve up Mediterranean plates.
From Dhs250 (Dhs200 redeemable), weekdays. Dhs300 (Dhs200 redeemable) weekends. Daily 9am-sunset. Balqis Residences, Palm Jumeirah. solunabeachclub.com.

Soul Beach Dubai

This recent addition to the Dubai beach club scene has plenty of promise. Set away from the crowds in the Jebel Ali JA, The Resort, the restaurant area and the outdoor terrace give way to a 26-metre-long sunbed (group selfie gold) which surrounds a shimmering infinity pool, with cabanas strung with fairy lights and marina vistas to one side and a long stretch of sand flecked with loungers and colourful umbrellas out in front.
The 3,000 sqm venue is billed as a day-to-night destination and given the extensive Mediterranean-inspired menu, rooftop event space, and duo of bean bag-surrounded beach bars, it’s a concept we can certainly get on board with. Spend your day lounging, tanning and grazing, then get the party started as resident DJ Shehzad K hits the decks at sunset and the fire dancing and live entertainment begins.
Dhs200 (Dhs150 redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs200 (Dhs100 redeemable) on weekends. Monday to Friday, 10am-10pm, Weekends10am-midnight. JA The Resort, Jebel Ali Freezone. soulbeachdxb.com (04 814 5126).

Summersalt

One of the more exclusive beach clubs in Dubai, an afternoon spent at Summersalt is as much about the food as it is about the sun-worshipping, so we suggest you arrive hungry. Divided into two equally enticing restaurants – one Peruvian and one Asian – fill up on some great grub before retiring to your cabana for an afternoon snooze. Don’t expect any thumping beats here – just gentle chatter and waves hitting the shore.
Dhs250 (for ladies, non-redeemable) Mon-Thurs. Dhs800 (Dhs400 redeemable) daily. Jumeirah Al Naseem, jumeirah.com (0800 323 232).

Twiggy by La Cantine

You’ve got to give it to them: the Park Hyatt Dubai does refined, beachside luxe very well indeed. French Riviera-style Twiggy by La Cantine, the latest spot to grace the resort’s serene Dubai Creek-facing shores, is an absolute case in point. The loungers are plush, the cabanas swanky, the beachy-boho décor is effortlessly cool and the atmosphere elegant yet playful. The white sand sparkles, the idyllic infinity pool glitters, the food is excellent (a real rarity for a beach club) and the views are ‘pinch me’ good, particularly at sunset. Spend the day here and while you certainly won’t want to leave, you will feel like you’ve been on holiday.
Dhs200 (non-redeemable) on weekdays, Dhs250 (non-redeemable) on weekends. Daily 10am-1am. Park Hyatt Dubai, Deira, twiggy.ae (04 602 1105).

Verde Beach

Located on the grounds of Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Verde Beach fits in with Dubai’s throng of high-end outdoor eateries and offers a price point to match. With sunbeds going for an eye-watering Dhs700 each just to sit on (no food or drink included), this is one for after payday. You’ll want to swag up your usual beach attire when dining here, as the crowd, à la St Tropez, certainly dress to impress.
From Dhs700. Verde Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh (04 228 5053).

Wet Deck

Want a pool day to capture new content for your social media feeds? Wet Deck at The W Dubai Palm could be just the ticket. With plenty of sun loungers, beds and pods available you can select which best suits your budget and group size at the over-21s party-perfect pool day venue.
Mon-Fri: Sun loungers Dhs200 (Dhs150 redeemable on F&B); Sat-Sun: Dhs300 (Dhs250 redeemable on F&B), Crescent road, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Wetdeckdubai.com (04 245 5800).

WHITE Beach

The tasty nibbles, chilled tipples, iconic Dubai skyline views and premium poolside location at WHITE Beach are just the ticket for shaking off those pesky end-of-the-weekend blues (Sunday afternoon is officially a mood). When the atmosphere heats up, cool down with a dip in the pool or saunter straight into the sea.
Dhs200, Mon-Thurs. Dhs250, Fri-Sun. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com/dubai/restaurants/brunch (04 426 2000).

Zero Gravity

There’s hardly a dull moment at Zero Gravity, and whether brunchers are pitched up on the sand or by the glass-walled pool, four hours of unlimited food and drink (five hours on Sunday) makes for a killer combo in our books.

Free entry (ladies, Mon-Tues) Dhs200 (gents, Dhs100 redeemable Mon-Tues). Closed on Wed. Dhs149 (ladies) Dhs248 (gents) (unlimited house drinks, 1-5pm) Thurs; Dhs299 (ladies), Dhs349 (gents) (unlimited food and beverage, 1pm=5pm) Fri; Dhs349 (ladies) Dhs399 (gents) (unlimited food and beverage 1pm-5pm) Sat; Dhs299 (ladies Dhs349 (gents) (unlimited food and beverage 1pm-5pm) Sun.
. Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Dubai Marina (04 399 0009).

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