Islands & Beaches in the Middle East

The lowest point on Earth’s surface, its hypersaline water so buoyant that bathers float without effort. Mineral-rich mud, dramatic desert cliffs, and spa resorts line the shrinking shore shared by Jordan and Israel.

Gateway to the Turquoise Coast, blending a walled Ottoman old town with long Mediterranean beaches and nearby classical ruins. A springboard for gulet cruises along the pine-fringed Lycian shore.

Oman’s low-rise capital, where sandy bays and rocky coves sit beneath rugged mountains. Corniche walks, a grand mosque, and boat trips to snorkel-rich reefs frame a relaxed seaside city.

Dubai’s palm-shaped artificial archipelago, lined with luxury resorts, private beaches, and waterfront restaurants. A feat of engineering that reshaped the emirate’s coastline into a resort destination.

A free-trade-zone island in the Persian Gulf, popular with Iranians for its beaches, coral reefs, and shopping. Clear warm water and a relaxed atmosphere set it apart from the mainland.

A whitewashed Aegean resort town beneath a Crusader castle, blending yacht harbours, nightlife, and ancient Halicarnassus. Blue-flag beaches and boat trips to nearby coves draw summer crowds.

Jordan’s only coastal city, a Red Sea port fringed by coral reefs and warm, clear diving water. A short hop from Wadi Rum and Petra, it pairs beach time with desert adventure.

An Omani enclave of dramatic fjords cutting into sheer cliffs, dubbed the Norway of Arabia. Dhow cruises glide past dolphins and hidden coves in the Strait of Hormuz.

A laid-back Lycian harbour town with a diving scene, quiet pebble coves, and rock tombs above the streets. Boat trips reach the sunken ruins off nearby Kekova.

A yachting hub on a sheltered Mediterranean bay, ringed by pine hills and Lycian rock tombs. The launch point for the lagoon at Ölüdeniz and Blue Cruise sailings.

A sheltered turquoise lagoon backed by pine forest and a long spit of beach, ranked among the Mediterranean’s most photographed. Paragliders launch from the mountain above onto the shore.

A Red Sea island guarding the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, ringed by coral reefs and famed dive sites. Strong currents and colourful walls draw experienced divers.

A Saudi Red Sea archipelago of coral reefs, mangroves, and pale beaches, protected for its dugong and turtle populations. A remote, little-developed corner of the kingdom’s coast.

An Aegean peninsula resort with sandy bays, thermal springs, and reliable summer winds that make it a windsurfing centre. A castle and marina anchor the lively old town.

A sheltered bay resort where pine-clad mountains meet the sea, packed with marinas, beaches, and nightlife. A hub for gulet cruises into the coves of the Datça peninsula.

A Mediterranean resort beneath a fortified headland, pairing long sandy beaches with a Seljuk castle and sea caves. Warm water and a busy promenade draw sun-seekers all summer.