The Kingdom of Bahrain is a stunning island nation located directly in the Persian Gulf. The island chain is a combination of natural and artificial islands.
It is a given that all those islands will produce an endless number of beaches to visit.
Locals and tourists alike will be able to find something for everyone.
There will be beaches best suited for families and many others better suited for couples.
You will have your choice of beaches made merely for relaxing while others will be packed with activities.
Let’s look at the top beaches in Bahrain so you can decide where you are going on your next vacation!
The Best Beaches In Bahrain
It is worth noting that while there is no formal dress code or code of conduct in Bahrain, there are some general rules tourists need to adhere to.
Men and women should avoid tight-fitting clothing and dress modestly while in public. Women should cover their legs, arms, and midriff.
Cleavage should also be covered in public. While hotels have a special permit to serve alcohol, they are not allowed to serve alcohol to Muslims.
And even though drinking is allowed, being drunk in public could get you arrested.
Keep this in mind when booking your vacation in the country.
1. Dry Dock Beach (Asry Beach)
- Dry Dock Beach (Asry Beach) Location: Al Hidd, Bahrain
- Dry Dock Beach (Asry Beach) Attractions: Swimming, food court, sunbathing
Dry Dock Beach is a bit further out than some Bahrain beaches. However, there are transportation options to get visitors out with ease.
There are only a few activity options at this beach. But people who go here are ok with that. This is a place for people to relax and take in the view.
Tourists and locals alike remark on how breathtaking the view of the water from the beach is.
The primary activities here are swimming and sunbathing. There is also a food court, so you can grab snacks while visiting.
2. Malkiya Beach
- Malkiya Beach Location: Al Malikiyah, Bahrain
- Malkiya Beach Attractions: Swimming, boating, jet skiing
Malkiya Beach is one of the most populated beaches in Bahrain.
Unlike some other beaches in the country, this one can very easily be found on significant maps (like Google Maps).
With an increase in guests comes an increase in activities for them to participate in.
Many visitors and locals love to go to this beach to take a day trip on a boat or spend a few hours on jet skis.
The locals also pride themselves on how clean their beach is and run regular media campaigns about keeping it clean.
3. Al Dar Island
- Al Dar Island Location: Sitra, Bahrain
- Al Dar Island Attractions: Water sports, sunbathing, food
Al Dar is a series of small islands, all under the moniker of the Al Dar Islands. Visitors come here to relax and stay in some of the luxury villas for rent.
Bahrain locals love to make this place their weekend getaway location. The restaurants here are recognized for their delicious, high-quality food.
Water sports are also very popular, with lots of guests coming to spend the day riding jet skis.
4. Karbabad Beach
- Karbabad Beach Location: Manama, Bahrain
- Karbabad Beach Attractions: Picnics, walking
Karbabad Beach is a tiny beach known by locals, ex-pats, and visitors as a quiet place to escape.
People come here to enjoy the beach without the crowds that can overtake some of Bahrain’s more popular locations.
Here you can enjoy long walks on the beach in relative peace. The beach is also famous for locals to sit down and enjoy a picnic.
5. Bahrain Bay Beach
- Bahrain Bay Beach Location: Manama, Bahrain
- Bahrain Bay Beach Attractions: children’s play area on the beach, luxury hotels, water sports
Bahrain Bay Beach is located on the main island of Bahrain. It is very close to the airport and many other amenities.
This beach is located near many activities within the city. This area has a more cosmopolitan feel compared to other Bahrain coastal resorts.
This beach should be at the top of your list for tourists who like more amenities when they vacation.
6. Nurana Islands
- Nurana Islands Location: Manama, Bahrain Island
- Nurana Islands Attractions: running, site seeing
Nurana Islands is a group of two islands north of the country’s capital. These islands are not heavily populated or heavily visited by tourists.
This gives those who decide to visit here a great deal of peace.
The views on the islands are breathtaking, with roads on the islands surrounded on either side by water.
The unpaved sand roads make them popular with runners. The beach lacks the crowds found elsewhere in the country, so you can sit back and relax.
7. Marrasi Al Bahrain
- Marrassi Al Bahrain Beach Location: Eagles Hill Marassi Beach, 233, Bahrain
- Marrasi Al Bahrain Attractions: water sports, adventure sports, private beach water sports, adventure sports, private beach
While this is one of the most stunning spots in Bahrain, it is a private beach. To enter, you must pay a fee.
But once you do, you will be treated to one of the most stunning beaches in the country. This beach is pristine and clean.
If you are into jet skiing and parasailing, this is the perfect spot. That is what this area is known for.
8. Jazaer Beach
- Amwaj Beach Bahrain Location: Amwaj Islands, Bahrain
- Jazaer Beach Attractions: Running, sunbathing
Jazaer Beach is very popular with the locals, so that it can get very crowded on weekends.
Its hard-packed sand makes it an excellent choice for runners.
Since there are not a lot of activities set up for people to participate in, most people come to this beach to hang out and relax.
9. Ritz Carlton Beach
- Ritz Carlton Beach Location: Ritz Carlton hotel, Bahrain
- Ritz Carlton Beach Attractions: luxury villas, beachside service
Ritz Carlton Beach is private, and access is reserved for those staying at the Ritz Carlton hotel.
This gives this beach an exclusive feel. You also don’t have to compete with other tourists for space.
Here you can relax on the beach or in your villa, enjoy the wait staff, and enjoy the view.
10. Hawar Islands
- Hawar Islands Location: Hawar Islands, Bahrain
- Hawar Island Attractions: the island is uninhabited, so space is unlimited for swimming and sunbathing
Why would anyone want to spend time on an uninhabited island? So you can enjoy the island without interruptions!
There is one hotel on the island for visitors to rest and get food and drinks.
Other than that, there is nothing but peace, quiet, and blue water.
11. Jarada Beach
- Jarada Beach Location: Manama, Bahrain
- Jarada Beach Attractions: Shopping, luxury resorts, water sports
Jarada Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Bahrain. The sand is the perfect shade of beige, and the water is a stunning blue.
The island appears to disappear and reappear under the tide’s ebb and flow. This manmade island is a work of art.
Visitors can shop in luxury boutiques or enjoy a variety of water activities. It is so exclusive, and you have to arrive by speedboat.
12. Amwaj Beach
- Amwaj Beach Location: Persian Gulf
- Amwaj Beach Attractions: luxury hotels, nature parks, water sports
Amwaj Beach is a group of manmade islands that sit right on the Persian Gulf. While loved by everyone, this is a favorite of ex-pats worldwide.
There is something for everyone to do here. There are nature parks so children can interact with animals.
There are water parks for the whole family and lots of high-end shopping and lodging.
13. Coral Bay
- Coral Bay Beach Location: Manama, Bahrain
- Coral Bay Attractions: water sports, sunbathing, nightlife
Coral Bay, this private beach resort, is a favorite of travelers worldwide. DJs perform for parties here every weekend.
This resort can handle any request from visitors. There are spas, private villas, shopping, and plenty of outdoor activities.
Coral Bay is a great place to escape and enjoy everything Bahrain offers.
Read: Best Beaches In South Korea.
Rank By Attractions in Bahrain
| Rank | Beach | City/Area | Best Time to Visit | Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dry Dock Beach Asry Beach | Al Muharraq | December – March | Swimming, sunbathing |
| 2 | Malkiya Beach | Al Malikiyah | November – February | Boating, swimming |
| 3 | Al Dar Island | Manama | December – March | Sunbathing, jet skiing |
| 4 | Karbabad Beach | Manama | December – March | Boating, horse riding, snorkeling |
| 5 | Bahrain Bay Beach | Zallaq | November – February | Jet skiing, paddling, body-boarding |
| 6 | Nurana Islands | Manama | December – March | Snorkeling, sunbathing |
Conclusion
While many of the islands and beaches in Bahrain are manmade, they are no less beautiful or enjoyable.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken great care to make sure all its islands and beaches offer fun and relaxation.
Add one of these top beaches in Bahrain to your next vacation.
