The United Arab Emirates' Dubai has officially opened a women-only beach that completely blocks outside views and cameras.
According to foreign media reports on Tuesday, the Dubai Municipality recently opened a women-only zone at Al Mamzar Beach. The project, part of the Al Mamzar Beach development that involves a total investment of 500 million dirhams (approximately 200 billion won), is designed to provide local women and female tourists with an independent relaxation space.
The zone is surrounded by solid fencing and can only be accessed through a separate entrance. All on-site staff, including lifeguards and security personnel, are women. The use of cameras and recording equipment is completely prohibited, and an AI-based surveillance system is in operation. Entry is strictly controlled for adult men and male children aged 6 and over.
Dubai is not the first to introduce a women-only beach.
In Iran, where women are prohibited from swimming on mixed-gender beaches under religious rules, enclosed women-only zones have been operated in some coastal cities, including those along the Caspian Sea. The rules ban men from entering, allow only male children aged 6 and under to accompany women, and prohibit mobile phones and cameras.
In Israel, 12 beaches, including in Tel Aviv, operate gender-separated schedules on different days of the week. These spaces have established themselves for women with strict religious beliefs or those who wish to avoid male gaze. Similar separated beaches also exist in some Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt.
What sets Dubai's women-only beach apart from previous cases is that it was created as an optional amenity rather than a religious obligation. Mixed-gender beaches operate alongside it, and the integration of advanced technology such as AI surveillance systems is also cited as a differentiating factor.
The project is part of the "Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan," which aims to attract more than 7 million visitors annually. Al Mamzar Beach's total swimming area has been more than doubled from its previous size, extending 3.6 kilometers in length and covering 182,000 square meters.
The development also includes a 24-hour night swimming zone, a 5.5-kilometer dedicated cycling and jogging track, tennis courts, jet ski and kayak rental zones, and air-conditioned accommodations and restaurants.
"Al Mamzar Beach is a key strategic project to redefine the beach experience as a vibrant, all-day journey," a Dubai Municipality official said. "It will be a milestone in presenting a top-tier beach that combines superior design, experience and community engagement."
