Welcome to the complete guide you wish you had before your first beach trip to Dubai. This question gets asked all the time: “Can we wear a bikini in Dubai?” The short answer is: Yes. In the right places and with a bit of cultural awareness. But it’s not quite as simple as “anything goes.”
Can You Wear A Bikini In Dubai?
Let us go through what you actually can wear (and where), how local customs and regulations shape those rules, and how to strike the perfect balance between style and respect. We’ll also share modest swimwear suggestions (yes, we live for those!) so you can be prepared with the right swimwear for your Dubai trip.
Dubai’s Dress Code
Dubai is a city of contrasts. A modern, cosmopolitan hub in a Muslim country set within the United Arab Emirates. It attracts millions of tourists each year from all over the world, so you’ll see pretty much every style under the sun. But it’s still governed by laws and local customs around public decency, modest dress, and social norms.
When you're exploring tourist attractions like the Dubai Mall, heritage areas, religious sites, or walking the streets and using public transport, there’s an expectation that you respect a more modest dress code. Your shoulders and knees should be covered, don’t wear anything too sheer or low-cut, and no overtly provocative outfits. In government buildings, mosques, and religious sites, the rules get stricter. Typically, that is a full-length skirt or trousers, long sleeves, covered shoulders, and often a headscarf.
The general guideline is that swimwear is fine at the beach, pool, or resort zones, but once you leave those, you’ll want a cover-up or a change of clothes. Nudity or topless sunbathing is outright prohibited and can lead to ejection or fines.
So when we say “you can wear a bikini,” we mean in the right context. Definitely not when wandering through a mall or into a café.
Where, When & How
At Beach & Pools (Public, Private, Hotel)
This is where you have maximum swimwear flexibility.
Public Beaches
Yes. Bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, and even burkinis are commonly acceptable. That said, try to avoid ultra-skimpy styles, extremely small string thong bottoms, or anything too revealing. When you’re finished swimming and head to the beach café or the car park, pop on a cover-up.
Private Beaches & Hotel Pools
These are more relaxed. Many hotels and resorts expect guests to be in full swimwear at the pool or beach. But once you walk through the hotel lobby or into public corridors, a wrap, shirt, or loose dress is appreciated.
Water Parks & Resort Water Attractions
Swimwear is standard. As with public beaches, see-through or overly revealing styles should be avoided.
One thing to never do. You must never wear swimwear away from the beach or pool in public areas. That’s streets, malls, restaurants and public transport, it’s a firm no.
Walking, Shopping Malls, Streets & Public Areas
This is where modest dress becomes more relevant. In malls like Dubai Mall, or local souks, or while visiting shopping malls, the general rule is not to draw attention. You should cover your shoulders, avoid plunging necklines, and keep skirts or shorts to knee length. Shirts with sleeves, light sweaters, or a wrap can help.
If you enter a religious site or government building, you’ll be expected to dress a bit more modestly, and this is quite important. You’ll want your full arms and legs to be covered, modest style. You should also consider a headscarf.
Some articles mention that shoulders, knees, and midriffs should be covered, especially during Ramadan, when modesty is more important.
Our Top Tips
If you are packing a thong bikini, a G-string or anything that has minimal coverage, it’s probably best you don’t wear this on the beach in Dubai. Very revealing bikinis are widely discouraged or outright disallowed. You should also know that topless sunbathing is illegal. It’s a simple rule, but nudity is not allowed anywhere in public.
Be careful about wet clothing when walking. Often, tight, damp garments can become see-through, which is frowned upon.
Local municipalities sometimes have beach patrols who may ask you to cover up or move if you stray outside designated zones.
It’s important to exercise caution around photography. Don’t photograph strangers without permission.
In short: bikini = fine, but context matters.
Our Real-World Tips
Because we live for swimwear, we’ve got extra sensitivity to how clothes actually work in the sun, heat, and local culture. Here are a few friendly pro tips to make your Dubai beach experience seamless:
Always bring a cover-up or sarong. Even if you’re only going a few steps from the beach to your lounge or café.
Light fabrics are your friend. You’ll find that breathable cotton, rayon, voile, and chiffon wraps are great for layering without overheating. Just make sure it’s something which isn’t too see-through.
When in Dubai, we’d suggest choosing more modest cuts for peace of mind. One-piece swimsuits with modest backs, skirts, in-built legs or long-sleeve rash guards help you blend in more easily when in public areas.
Pack a light sweater or long-sleeve shirt. This is especially useful when you are indoors (air-con in malls is famously cold) or in the evening.
Be extra careful during Ramadan. Even beach zones may be more sensitive, and local customs lean more conservative.
Don’t try to push boundaries. It’s much better to err on the side of respect and blend in.
When in doubt, simply just cover up. If you feel uncertain whether a garment is okay, add a wrap, shirt, or skirt and remove it when safely at the beach.
Respect local families. Many public beaches attract local families; being considerate (not overly flashy or provocative) will keep things comfortable for you and your party.
Plan your transitions ahead of time. Have a dress or wrap clothes handy and near the changing areas. It’s best not to change in public view.
One of our top tips is to watch and see what locals and other tourists are doing. That’s often your best cue.
Modest Swimwear Recommendations
For those of you who want that extra layer of comfort or modesty in Dubai, here are some great options from our ladies' swimwear line that combine fashion and coverage.
Our Sleek Longer Length Swimsuit in Animal Attraction Teal provides extra length, a high neck and a stylish zip clip, giving you peace of mind on coverage while still flattering your silhouette.
Why not try our Molly Longer Length Legsuit? If you really want a bit of extra coverage for your legs, this is your go-to. It’s also great for more active water sports.
Our Women’s Panel Swim Shorts could be paired with a tall tankini for a more modest look. You’ll stay comfortable, modestly dressed for the beach, whilst also looking stylish.
These picks are ideal if you anticipate moving between water and public spaces and want an easier cover-up transition. They help you respect local norms without sacrificing style or performance.
Common FAQs
Q: Will I get in trouble or fined if I wear a bikini?
A: Usually no, as long as you keep to beach or pool zones and avoid topless sunbathing. You might be asked to cover up or leave if someone complains. Don’t worry if you are asked to cover up; fines and strict enforcement are generally only aimed at serious violations.
Q: What about Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?
A: Good question. Abu Dhabi tends to be more conservative in public places, so modesty is important. Sharjah is strict: you’ll want longer skirts, sleeves, and avoid swimsuits outside the immediate pool/beach areas. Always check local rules when travelling between emirates.
Q: During Ramadan, is it different?
A: Yes, absolutely. Things are more serious, and modesty is practised as respect. Avoid any overly revealing clothes, even near the beach. Restaurants and cafes may have adjusted rules or hours. A little more modesty goes a long way.
Q: Can men wear Speedos or tight swim briefs?
A: While they’re tolerated at the pool or beach, many guides discourage extremely tight or revealing outfits on public beaches. Board shorts or swim trunks are safer.
Q: Can I sunbathe topless or in the nude?
A: No. Topless or nude sunbathing is illegal.
Why This Matters
At the core of all this is respect. You should have respect for local customs, religious beliefs, and fellow beachgoers. Wearing a bikini isn’t a problem in itself, but how you wear it and where matters. If everyone acts with a little common sense, Dubai can be an amazing beach-city experience, not a stressful one.
From a swimwear company’s perspective, we always encourage designs that balance style with functionality. Why not pick suits that give you options? You can have modest lines, extra coverage, and layered looks. Just adapt as needed. It’s not about restricting freedom, it’s about travelling smart and respecting the culture of the place you visit.
When you feel confident in your modest swimwear and aware of local customs, you’ll worry less and enjoy more. We want your first (or 10th) trip to Dubai to be about sun, sea, shopping, desert safaris, not about second-guessing your wardrobe choices or worrying about offending people.
Helpful Tips
Yes, you can wear a bikini in Dubai, but keep it to beaches, pools, and private zones. Avoid thong or ultra-skimpy styles and always cover up when leaving the beach area.
In public areas like malls, shopping districts, religious sites, or government buildings, you should keep things modest. That means shoulders & knees covered up.
More modest swimwear, like longer-length suits, kneesuits, legsuits, or tankinis and shorts, makes beach days more comfortable. We’d suggest always bringing a cover-up, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt or jumper, and breathable fabrics. This is not only helpful in air-conditioned areas but also when you need to change from your beach bikini into something more appropriate for non-beach areas.
If you are visiting Dubai during Ramadan, be extra cautious and conservative in your choices. If in doubt, simply just cover up. It's better to err on the side of respect than regret.
We hope this guide gives you clarity and confidence for your Dubai swimwear plans. Enjoy the beach in the UAE, and if you need more modest swimsuit choices, have a look at our helpful post.