Beach holidays by the Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf combines beach stays with city skylines, museums, markets and desert excursions. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha offer different versions of that combination: a resort beach can be one part of a trip that also includes traditional neighbourhoods and contemporary architecture. Decide whether direct beach access or a city location matters more to you.
The hottest month is not always the best
Palm Jumeirah in Dubai represents the resort side of the coast, while Doha gives the holiday a different urban setting. Check whether a hotel's beach is included and how far it is from the places you want to visit.
The cooler part of the year is generally more comfortable for spending time outdoors. Summer heat can make sightseeing and long afternoons on the beach demanding. Very warm sea water may also offer less relief than expected. Compare the month's sea and air temperatures together, rather than choosing the highest water temperature as the goal.
Geography at a glance
Persian Gulf
- Location
- Western Asia
- Part of
- Indian Ocean
- Coastal countries
- Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman
- Area
- ≈ 251,000 km²
- Max. depth
- ≈ 90 m
Locator map. Measurements are approximate and depend on the area’s definition. Fact source · Map: Natural Earth
Sea temperature by month (°C)
In October, the warmest sea is at Dubai (32.1 °C) and the coolest at Doha (30.9 °C).
| Beach | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 21.5 | 21.5 | 23.5 | 26.4 | 29.6 | 32.5 | 34.0 | 34.5 | 33.8 | 31.7 | 28.2 | 24.4 |
| Doha | 19.9 | 19.8 | 21.7 | 24.9 | 28.6 | 31.5 | 33.5 | 34.8 | 33.7 | 30.9 | 27.0 | 22.7 |
| Dubai | 23.0 | 22.2 | 23.6 | 26.2 | 29.2 | 32.4 | 33.8 | 34.0 | 33.5 | 32.1 | 29.2 | 25.9 |
Average sea temperature in each month, 2021–2025 (Copernicus ERA5), at each beach. Not a forecast.
Persian Gulf – Sea temperature today
Current estimates for the selected beaches, not an average for the whole sea. Sea: NASA MUR with an hourly adjustment; air: Apple Weather. The update time refers to this page, not a measurement taken in the water.
Last updated:
| All beaches | Sea (°C) | Air (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · Persian Gulf | 31.6 °C | 27 °C |
| Doha, Qatar · Persian Gulf | 31.3 °C | 26 °C |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Persian Gulf | 32.0 °C | 27 °C |