Kite Beach

Kite Beach is the main public stretch on the Jumeirah shore and it earned its name honestly: the afternoon onshore breeze suits kitesurfing and a zone is set aside for it, with schools and board rental on the sand. Alongside that it works as an ordinary city beach with showers, volleyball, a running track behind and a line of food kiosks. The Burj Al Arab stands a short way down the coast and forms the backdrop to most photographs taken here.

What you actually see

• The kitesurfing zone - a marked area with schools and equipment rental.
• The Burj Al Arab backdrop - the hotel on its island a short way along the shore.
• The running track - a marked route behind the sand along the whole beach.
• The food kiosks - the line of casual outlets behind the beach.

When to go

October to May for comfortable beach weather; the wind for kiting is most reliable in winter and spring. Summer sea temperatures reach bath heat. Weekends and public holidays are crowded.

Honest expectations

It is a busy city beach and quiet is not on offer. Modesty rules apply and swimwear is for the beach only, not the street behind it. Parking is difficult at weekends.

Nearby

Burj Al Arab is southwest, and Jumeirah Mosque is northeast.