Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain charges about AED 20 per car, not per person, for a day visit. Overnight camping costs about AED 100, and you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to explore the mangroves, from about AED 75 a person. The beach is in the Khor Al Yeefrah area off the E11, about an hour from Dubai, and the last 10 to 15 minutes is a sandy track that most cars can manage carefully. Paddle at high tide, swim only in daylight, and go between October and April.
At a glance
- Entry
- About AED 20 per car, for a day
- Camping
- About AED 100 per tent
- Kayak or SUP
- From about AED 75 per person, or about AED 100 for two
- Guided mangrove tours
- About AED 160 adults, AED 100 children
- From Dubai
- About 70 km, around 1 hour
- Best tide
- High tide for paddling; low tide exposes mudflats
- Season
- October to April
Last checked: 13 October 2026. Fees come from recent visitor reports and operators, as the beach does not publish a price list online; confirm at the gate.
On this page
Mangrove Beach fees explained
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day entry | About AED 20 per car | Covers everyone in the car; reported to cover up to about 12 hours |
| Camping | About AED 100 | Charged per tent, or per vehicle for several days in some reports |
| Pets | About AED 25 per pet | Where allowed; check the current rules at the gate |
| Kayak or paddleboard hire | From about AED 75 per person, about AED 100 for a double | From operators at the beach |
| Guided mangrove kayak tour | About AED 160 adults, AED 100 children | Routes of about 3 to 5 km |
| Umbrella hire | Small fee | Shade is limited, so bring your own |
Mangrove Beach was opened in 2020 by Umm Al Quwain’s tourism department (Visit Umm Al Quwain) as the emirate’s first eco-tourism beach. Parking is free once you have paid the car entry. Hours are reported differently, from 7am to 10pm to all day for campers, so if you are arriving late or staying overnight, confirm at the gate.
Kayaking and the tide cue
The calm, shallow lagoon and its mangrove channels are the reason to come. Herons, crabs and fish live among the roots, and in winter flamingos feed on the lagoon’s edges.
- Go at high tide or on a rising tide: the channels are deep enough to paddle into the mangroves.
- Avoid dead low tide: the water drains off the mudflats and kayaks ground out.
- Morning or late afternoon is coolest, with the softest light.
- Do not step on or break mangrove roots, and do not land on protected islands.
- Bring a waterproof pouch, a hat and water; there is no shade on the water.
Check the tide: any tide app or tide table for Umm Al Quwain shows the day’s high water. Plan to start paddling an hour or two before it.
Facilities and rules
- Facilities: toilets, showers, designated BBQ areas, a volleyball net, camping zones and water sports rental.
- Swimming: allowed in daylight only; supervise children closely in the shallows.
- BBQ and fires: only in the designated areas; put charcoal out completely before you leave.
- Camping: only in the marked camping zones, following the fire lines.
- Environment: no plastic or rubbish left behind, no loud music near the wildlife areas.
- Alcohol: not allowed on public beaches.
Getting there
Mangrove Beach is in the Khor Al Yeefrah area of Umm Al Quwain, off the E11 coastal road. From Dubai it is about 70 km and around an hour; from Sharjah about 43 km, from Ajman about 25 km and from Ras Al Khaimah about 66 km; from Abu Dhabi allow two and a half hours. The final stretch is a 10 to 15 minute unpaved, sandy track. Most cars manage it in dry conditions if you drive slowly and keep momentum in the soft patches; a 4×4 is easier, especially after rain.
Other Umm Al Quwain beaches
| Beach | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Kite Beach Center | Paid beach and kitesurf school | Kitesurfing lessons, kayak tours, a beach café; pet-friendly with a signed declaration and dogs on a lead; open about 6am to 10pm |
| Hotel and resort beaches | Day passes at resorts such as Vida Beach Resort, Barracuda Beach Resort and Palma Beach Resort | Sunbeds, pools and lagoon views with facilities |
| Luxeglamp | Glamping domes on stilts over the mangroves | An overwater deck and hammocks, with kayaks and SUPs to rent even for non-guests |
| UAQ Marine Club | Private club beach | Kayaks, paddleboards and boat trips |
| Al Sinniyah Island | A protected island about 1 km off the old town | Seen by kayak or boat tour: mangroves, birdlife and flamingos from November to March |
Best time to visit
- October to April for swimming, kayaking and camping; winter weekends are busy with campers.
- Weekday mornings are quietest.
- Summer: go only at sunrise or late afternoon; the sand and water get very hot.
- Flamingos: November to March, especially near sunset around the lagoon and Al Sinniyah.
What to bring
- Shade (an umbrella or beach tent), water, food and a cool box.
- A portable grill and charcoal for the BBQ areas.
- Water shoes for the muddy shallows.
- For camping: tent, sleeping bags, lights, warm layers for winter nights and rubbish bags.
Combine it with
- Dreamland Aqua Park: about 15 to 20 minutes away.
- Umm Al Quwain Zoo: giraffe feeding and big cats inland at Kabir.
- Umm Al Quwain Fort and Museum and the ancient site of Ed Dur, for history.
- Mangrove kayaking in the UAE: every mangrove paddle compared.
- Best public beaches in Dubai: free beaches and night swimming.
- Ras Al Khaimah beaches: the next emirate north.
- Beach camping in the UAE: where it is allowed.
- Camping in the UAE: the rules in every emirate.
Mangrove Beach FAQs
How much is the Mangrove Beach entry fee?
About AED 20 per car for a day visit, covering everyone in the car. Camping, pets and water sports cost extra.
Can you camp at Mangrove Beach Umm Al Quwain?
Yes, in the marked camping zones, for about AED 100. Bring your own gear and follow the fire and BBQ rules.
Can you kayak at Mangrove Beach?
Yes. Operators rent kayaks and paddleboards from about AED 75 a person, and guided mangrove tours cost about AED 160 for adults. Go at high tide.
Can you swim at Mangrove Beach?
Yes, in daylight only. The water is calm and shallow, but supervise children closely.
How far is Mangrove Beach from Dubai?
About 70 km, roughly an hour by car via the E11, plus a short sandy track at the end.
Do you need a 4×4 for Mangrove Beach?
Not usually. Most cars manage the 10 to 15 minute sandy track in dry conditions if driven slowly, but a 4×4 is easier after rain.