New public beach opens on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche

Abu Dhabi Municipality plans to introduce more facilities, such as changing rooms and showers, to the beach.

The new Corniche beach in Abu Dhabi will eventually have showers, change rooms and sporting facilities. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // A new 1.5-kilometre stretch of beach has opened at the western stretch of the Corniche.

Open to the public from 8am until 2am, the smooth, white sand has been levelled and raked to perfection.

But not many beachgoers have been checking out the new space on weekdays given the summer heat and it being the holy month.

A lifeguard said: "It's Ramadan and not so many people are coming. But in the evenings, yes, and Fridays."

Abu Dhabi Municipality plans to introduce more facilities, such as changing rooms and showers.

Future developments include facilities for volleyball, football and marine sports, although one section will be cordoned off for swimmers only.

The public beach areas already in place at the Corniche offer a mosque, changing rooms, restaurants, snack kiosks and playgrounds.

In April, Nahla Al Muhairi, head of the events and beaches section at the municipality, predicted the beach would open for full service some time next month.

Once the facilities are fully operational, and when the weather is cooler, it is hoped the new beach will be a hit with the public and help to alleviate overcrowding at other beaches.

"People always request beaches. They want to have more beaches in Abu Dhabi," Ms Al Muhairi said.

"We have this long stretch, so we would like to give the best service for them so people can come and enjoy the beaches."