Umm Al Quwain beaches and Sharjah’s Al Hamriyah Beach temporarily closed

Residents planning a beach visit should avoid closed coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain and Al Hamriyah Beach in Sharjah following an oil spill from a tanker.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced the temporary closure of all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain on 23 October 2026. The ministry’s statement, published by Sharjah24, says the spill reached the emirate’s shores and that specialist teams are carrying out containment and clean-up work.

Al Hamriyah Beach is also closed

In a separate announcement on 23 October, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau confirmed that Al Hamriyah Beach is temporarily closed as a precaution to prevent pollution from reaching the coastline.

The notices do not announce a reopening date. They should not be read as a closure of every beach in Sharjah or across the UAE.

What beachgoers and fishermen should do

Follow closure signs and instructions from local authorities. The ministry has asked fishermen and people heading out to sea not to fish in affected areas. Sharjah’s announcement also asks fishermen and beachgoers to follow official instructions.

Check official updates before making a trip. Do not assume a beach has reopened because there is no visible pollution or because an older travel guide recommends it.

Archive photo (April 2024): Mtabuco / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped.