To fish from the shore in Dubai you need a free recreational fishing licence from Dubai Municipality, valid for one year and issued in about three working days to Dubai residents. It covers rod-and-line fishing at designated spots: Khor Al Mamzar, Creek Park, the Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges on Dubai Creek, and the breakwaters at Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Sufouh beaches. Happiness Square in Jumeirah 3 needs no licence at all, and under-18s fishing with an adult need none. Visitors fish through licensed charter boats. The best season is October to May.
At a glance
- Licence
- Free, 1 year, Dubai residents only
- Apply
- Dubai Municipality online with UAE PASS; about 3 working days
- Gear
- Rod and line only
- No licence needed
- Happiness Square, Jumeirah 3; under-18s with an adult
- Visitors
- Licensed fishing charters
- Best season
- October to May; dawn and dusk
Last verified: 13 October 2026 against Dubai Municipality’s published recreational fishing permit conditions.
On this page
The Dubai recreational fishing licence
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Valid for | One year, renewable on the same conditions |
| Who can apply | Dubai residents aged 18 and over |
| Proof of residency | Tenancy contract, property title deed or DEWA bill |
| Processing | About 3 working days; the licence arrives by email |
| Covers | Recreational rod-and-line fishing at the designated spots |
| Not covered | Nets, traps, spearfishing or selling your catch |
How to apply
- Log in to the Dubai Municipality services hub (hub.dm.gov.ae) with UAE PASS. The Dubai Municipality app and DubaiNow app work too.
- Go to Services, then Individual Services, then Marine and Coastal Environment.
- Choose the recreational fishing permit and select Apply Now.
- Enter your details, including how you fish (shore or boat), and upload your proof of Dubai residency, a passport copy and a recent photo. Anglers fishing from their own boat also need the boat’s licence.
- Submit. The licence is emailed once approved; keep it on your phone, as inspectors can ask to see it.
Where you can fish in Dubai
| Spot | Area | Licence | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Happiness Square | Jumeirah 3, behind Sunset Mall | Not needed | Beginners, families and a sunset session from the platform |
| Khor Al Mamzar | Al Mamzar, Deira | Needed | Calm lagoon water, early mornings |
| Creek Park | Bur Dubai side of Dubai Creek | Needed | Shaded spots and families |
| Al Maktoum Bridge | Bur Dubai side | Needed | Creek fish on the tide |
| Al Garhoud Bridge | Deira side | Needed | Creek fish on the tide |
| Jumeirah beach breakwater | Jumeirah | Needed | Open-water fish at dawn and dusk |
| Umm Suqeim beach breakwater | Umm Suqeim | Needed | Queenfish and trevally, with the Burj Al Arab in view |
| Al Sufouh beach breakwater | Al Sufouh | Needed | Quieter early mornings |
Off limits: the licence only covers the designated spots. Do not fish from swimming beaches, marinas, private developments or protected areas such as the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, and move away if swimmers come close. Unlicensed or indiscriminate fishing can bring fines of several hundred dirhams or more.
Types of fishing permit
| Permit | Who it is for | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational fishing licence | Dubai residents fishing from the shore or their own boat with rod and line | Dubai Municipality |
| Licensed charter | Visitors and anyone fishing from a hired boat | The operator’s commercial licence |
| Private boat fishing | Boat owners; the boat needs its own registration and approvals from the coast guard, the local authority and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment | Several authorities |
| Commercial fishing | Registered UAE fishermen only | Federal ministry |
Rules worth knowing
- The law behind it. Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 governs the protection of the UAE’s living marine resources in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and it is enforced by municipality inspectors and the coast guard, who can check your cool box.
- Rod and line only. Nets, traps and spearguns are not covered by the recreational licence.
- Minimum sizes. The UAE sets minimum legal lengths for many species, including hammour (also spelled hamour), kingfish, shaari and safi, under Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015. If a fish looks small, release it gently.
- Protected species. Never keep sea turtles, dolphins or dugongs. Sharks and rays are heavily restricted, with bans during their breeding season. Abu Dhabi also protects species such as painted sweetlips, parrotfish and seahorses.
- Breeding-season bans. In past years the federal ministry banned fishing and selling Safi and Shaari in March and April, and sharks from February to June. In April 2026 Abu Dhabi cancelled some breeding-season restrictions, so check the current year’s notices before targeting these fish.
- No selling. Recreational catches are for your own table.
- Leave nothing behind. Discarded line and hooks injure birds and turtles; take everything home.
What you can catch
| Fish | Local name | Where | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange-spotted grouper | Hammour | Rocky breakwaters and offshore reefs | Winter |
| Spangled emperor | Shaari | Breakwaters and offshore | Autumn and spring |
| Queenfish | Dhel | Breakwaters and the Creek mouth | Winter |
| Trevally, including giant trevally | Jesh | Breakwaters; big ones offshore | Autumn to spring |
| Kingfish | Kanaad | Offshore by boat | Winter |
| Barracuda | Aqam | Breakwaters at dawn and offshore | Winter |
| Two-bar seabream | Faskar | Creek and breakwaters | Most of the year |
Best season and times
- October to May is the main season, with cooler water bringing fish inshore and comfortable mornings for anglers.
- June to September is very hot; fish at first light only, and some guides say activity slows sharply in Dubai waters.
- Dawn and dusk are the best times of day, especially around a rising tide.
- Calm days are better at the breakwaters; avoid them in strong wind or rough seas, when waves wash over the rocks.
Fishing charters for visitors
Visitors cannot get the Dubai resident licence, so the legal way to fish is with a licensed charter. Boats leave from Dubai Marina, Dubai Harbour, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour in Umm Suqeim and Dubai Creek, and the operator’s licence covers everyone on board. Shared trips are the cheapest; private boats for four hours usually start from about AED 1,500, rising for larger boats and deep-sea trips. Check that rods, bait and drinks are included, and ask whether you can keep your catch.
Fishing in other emirates
| Emirate | Licence | Key rules |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Annual or weekly recreational licence from the Environment Agency, via the TAMM portal, for ages 18 and over | Daily limit of 24 fish per person and per boat; spearfishing only while free diving, with a dive flag, at least three people on board and a catch report afterwards |
| Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah | Set by each municipality and the federal ministry | Check locally before you fish; many anglers use licensed charters in the northern emirates and on the east coast |
Tips for a first trip
- Start at Happiness Square or Creek Park with light tackle and small hooks; bread paste, shrimp and squid are easy baits.
- Bring a cool box with ice, pliers, a towel, water and sun protection.
- Wear shoes with grip on the breakwater rocks, and never fish there alone in rough weather.
- Take the catch to the cleaning stations at Waterfront Market if you would rather not clean it yourself.
- Adventure activities in the UAE: everything from kayaking to hiking.
- Mangrove kayaking: paddle the UAE’s mangroves.
- Al Mamzar Beach Park: next to the Khor Al Mamzar fishing spot.
- Camping in the UAE: rules and the best spots.
- Jebel Ali Beach: camping and caravans on open sand.
Fishing in Dubai FAQs
Do you need a licence to fish in Dubai?
Yes, for shore fishing at most spots. Dubai Municipality issues a free recreational fishing licence to Dubai residents, valid for one year. Happiness Square in Jumeirah 3 needs no licence, and under-18s fishing with an adult need none.
How much is a fishing licence in Dubai?
It is free. You apply online through Dubai Municipality with UAE PASS and proof of Dubai residency, and it is issued in about three working days.
Where can I fish in Dubai?
At Khor Al Mamzar, Creek Park, the Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges on Dubai Creek, the breakwaters at Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Sufouh beaches, and Happiness Square in Jumeirah 3.
Can tourists fish in Dubai?
Tourists cannot get the resident licence, so they fish with a licensed charter boat, whose licence covers everyone on board.
What fish can you catch in Dubai?
Common catches include hammour, shaari, queenfish, trevally, kingfish, barracuda and seabream. Return undersized fish and never keep protected species.
What is the best time to fish in Dubai?
October to May, at dawn and dusk, ideally around a rising tide.
Can you spearfish in Dubai?
The Dubai recreational licence covers rod and line only. Abu Dhabi allows spearfishing while free diving under its own licence and rules.