YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that on 23 October 2026 the tanker Gem No.2 (Panama-flagged) spilled fuel oil off the coast of Umm Al Quwain — by 28 October authorities had closed more than 35 beaches across four northern emirates, and tour operators had relocated over 120 Russian families out of their hotels. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah are outside the affected zone and operating normally. If you’re planning a trip to the northern emirates in November, see our UAE destination guide and recent flight news — including Pobeda’s five new UAE routes and Aeroflot’s resumed Moscow–Abu Dhabi flights.
What happened
According to the ministry, the leak followed damage to the tanker Gem No.2 in waters off Umm Al Quwain. The oil slick spread along the coastline, and by late October authorities were reporting pollution on shorelines in four emirates — Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Ajman. The UAE’s technical monitoring system detected the leak almost immediately, after which federal and local teams began containment and cleanup work. The ministry separately stated that the smell reported by residents of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain poses no health risk, but advised against approaching closed stretches of coastline or fishing in the affected area.
Which beaches are closed
Closures vary by emirate — some have shut every public and hotel beach, others only part of the coastline as a precaution.
Beach closures by emirate (as of 28 October 2026)
| Emirate | What’s closed |
|---|---|
| Umm Al Quwain | All beaches — public (Open Beach, Corniche Beach, Kite Beach Centre and others) and hotel beaches (Flamingo, Vida, UAQ Beach Hotel) |
| Ras Al Khaimah | All public beaches and several resort beaches — Al Hamra, Sofitel, Anantara, InterContinental, Mövenpick, Rixos and others |
| Sharjah | Partial: Al Hamriyah Beach closed as a precaution, others remain open |
| Ajman | Beaches closed pending water-quality checks, no visible pollution found |
| Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah | Operating normally, no pollution recorded |
Authorities haven’t given exact reopening dates — decisions on each beach follow water-quality testing.
What it means for Russian travellers
According to Interfax, citing the Russian Union of Travel Industry, tour operator Intourist has relocated more than 120 Russian families out of affected hotels. Some travellers moved from Ras Al Khaimah to Sharjah — only to find the next day that beaches near their new hotels had also been closed. Travel firms are offering relocation to Dubai, where public beaches are operating normally, but according to Lenta.ru more than 75% of tourists have refused: they don’t want to lose their hotel’s amenities or change an already-paid itinerary. Some travellers reported skin redness and rashes after swimming in polluted water.
What to do if your UAE trip is already booked
- If your hotel is in Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah or Ajman, check with your tour operator on that beach’s status and your options for relocation or a penalty-free cancellation;
- If you’re unsure, consider hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Fujairah — no pollution has been recorded there and beaches are open;
- Avoid swimming or fishing in closed areas, even where beach access isn’t physically fenced off;
- Check the latest status with your hotel before travelling — the situation is changing every few days;
- If you’re connecting through carriers with a stop in the northern emirates, confirm the restriction doesn’t affect your transfer.
If you’re considering a different destination for these dates, our match tool can help compare options by season and budget; for a long UAE layover, see “UAE as a stopover”.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel my UAE trip because of the oil spill?
Not if your hotel is in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Fujairah — those emirates have no pollution. If your booking is in one of the four northern emirates, check your tour operator for the status of that specific beach before travelling.
Is the smell of fuel oil dangerous to health?
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said the odour reported in Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain poses no health risk, but advised avoiding direct contact with the polluted water.
Can I get a refund if my beach is closed?
It depends on your tour operator: Intourist is offering relocation to another hotel or a penalty-free cancellation. Check the terms with your own operator — policies vary.
When will the beaches reopen?
UAE authorities haven’t given a firm date — each beach is being cleared for reopening based on water-quality testing.
Where in the UAE is safe to go right now?
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah — the spill hasn’t reached them, and beaches and hotels are operating normally.
Sources
- Gulf News — updated 28 October 2026, citing the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
- Interfax — 29 October 2026, citing the Russian Union of Travel Industry
The situation is changing fast — check with your tour operator for the latest status of your specific beach and hotel before travelling.
