Photo: by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
Ajman's beaches reopen for swimming after oil spill
After the GEM NO.2 tanker incident, Ajman's hotels are gradually restoring sea access: by Nov 2, six hotel beaches are open and quality monitoring continues.
What led to the beach closures
At the end of September a spill occurred in the UAE when the tanker GEM NO.2 leaked oil. Authorities shut down coastal zones in several emirates, including Ajman, to keep visitors away from contaminated water. At that point the beaches were off‑limits and tourists were ferried to nearby resorts, for example Dubai’s Kite Beach.
How the recovery is progressing
On 30 October federal bodies announced that the leak had been stopped. The Ministry of Climate and Environment recorded a noticeable drop in pollution levels. A special commission keeps testing sand and water, taking samples and monitoring air quality. The closures were a precaution, not because each beach was itself polluted.
Beaches that are already open
The first to reopen was the Fairmont Ajman beach – 31 October at 4 p.m. From 1 November the hotel stopped shuttling guests to Dubai’s Kite Beach. By 2 November guests could reach the sea at six Ajman hotels:
- Fairmont Ajman
- Dusit Ajman
- Bahi Ajman Palace
- Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman
- Ramada Beach Ajman
- Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche
Wyndham Garden’s representative Otabeq Turaboev confirmed that from today guests can swim on their property.
What’s happening in neighbouring emirates
In Sharjah the beaches stay closed. Still, the Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is arranging transfers for its guests to the Bahi Ajman Palace beach, where swimming is now allowed. In Ras al‑Khaimah and Umm al‑Quwain no date for sea access has been announced – tour operators are not giving a timeline. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah never imposed restrictions, so swimming is unrestricted there.
Tips for travellers
The ministry says fish and seafood sold at local markets are safe. Coastal services continue to collect oil residues and keep an eye on water conditions. Before you travel, check with your hotel or tour operator whether a particular beach is open. That quick check helps avoid unpleasant surprises and lets you plan your stay with confidence.
Bottom line
The oil spill caused a temporary halt to sea access in several emirates, but Ajman is already restoring swimming opportunities. Six hotels have opened their beaches and quality checks are ongoing. Sharjah and Ras al‑Khaimah remain uncertain, while the other emirates still offer water‑side recreation. If you’re booking a trip, confirm the beach status with your service provider – that way your holiday proceeds without extra hassles.
Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.
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