Al Marjan Island is a group of four coral-shaped man-made islands off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, stretching about 4.5 km into the Arabian Gulf. It’s the emirate’s main beach resort area, lined with large hotels, sandy beaches and calm water for swimming.
It’s also changing fast: the Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort, which will include the UAE’s first casino, is due to open in 2027.
Plan your visit to Al Marjan Island
- Entry: free; beach access mostly via resorts
- Hours: open all the time; resort facilities vary
- Time needed: a day trip or 2–3 nights
History of Al Marjan Island
Built on reclaimed land, the archipelago covers about 2.7 million square metres of reclaimed land. It’s made up of four islands: Breeze Island, Treasure Island, Dream Island and View Island, managed by the Al Marjan Island company.
Resorts such as Rixos Bab Al Bahr and DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island opened over the following years, and the island now holds a large share of Ras Al Khaimah’s five-star rooms. Ras Al Khaimah’s New Year’s Eve fireworks over the island have set several Guinness World Records, and Wynn Resorts is building a 70-storey resort tower here, scheduled to open in 2027.
Attractions at Al Marjan Island
- Beaches: long stretches of sand with mostly calm, shallow water; most beach access is through the resorts.
- Beach resorts: including Rixos Bab Al Bahr, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island and Al Marjan Island Hotel & Spa.
- Water sports: many resorts offer kayaking, paddleboarding and other activities.
- Sunset views: the islands face west across the Gulf.
- Wynn Al Marjan Island: the huge resort under construction, due to open in 2027.
Things to Do at Al Marjan Island
- Book a beach stay: many visitors come for a few days of resort life.
- Buy a day pass: some resorts sell beach or pool day passes; check with the hotels directly.
- Watch New Year’s Eve fireworks: one of the UAE’s biggest fireworks shows takes place along the island.
- Day-trip to the mountains: drive to Jebel Jais for the views and the world’s longest zipline.
Al Marjan Island – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free to drive onto the island; there’s no entrance fee.
- Beaches and pools: mostly reserved for resort guests or day-pass holders, with prices and hours set by each hotel.
How Long to Spend at Al Marjan Island
A day trip works if you buy a resort day pass, but most people stay 2–3 nights to relax and visit the mountains.
How to Get There
- By car or taxi: about 25–30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah city and roughly 1 hour from Dubai, depending on traffic.
- From the airport: Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is about 30–40 minutes away; many visitors fly into Dubai (DXB) and transfer by road.
- Hotel shuttles: some resorts run shuttles to Dubai or local malls; ask when booking.
Arriving at Ras Al Khaimah Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Al Marjan Island
- Resort restaurants: the hotels on the island have a wide range of restaurants, bars and beach clubs open to non-guests (reservations recommended).
- Al Hamra: Al Hamra Mall and the Al Hamra Village area, a short drive south, have more casual places to eat.
Other Attractions Nearby Al Marjan Island
- Jebel Jais: the UAE’s highest mountain area, with viewpoints and the Jais Flight zipline.
- Hajar Mountains: wadis and hiking trails inland.
- Al Jazirah Al Hamra: an abandoned pearling village nearby.
- National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah: local history in a former fort.
- Al Hamra Mall: shopping and dining close to the island.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Ras Al Khaimah: compare resorts on Al Marjan Island with cheaper options in the city.
- Get a UAE eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Al Marjan Island is Ras Al Khaimah’s beach resort hub: four man-made islands with sandy beaches, big hotels and Gulf sunsets, and the Wynn resort due to open in 2027. It’s a relaxed alternative to Dubai’s beaches, about an hour’s drive away.
Balance beach time with a trip up Jebel Jais or a hike in the Hajar Mountains.