Kalba, the quiet coastal enclave on Sharjah's east coast, is gearing up for two additions that should put it firmly on the UAE day-trip map: a new public beach and a rock art centre thousands of years in the making.
The first out of the gate is Kalba Beach. Construction has hit roughly 75% completion, with the 700-metre waterfront expected to be finished by December 2026. The plan goes beyond sand and a swim spot — there will be cafés, restaurants and kiosks for refuelling, plus jogging and cycling tracks, football pitches and volleyball courts for anyone who likes their beach days active. Kids get dedicated play areas too.
What's notable is how the project is being handled. Developers say sustainability is front and centre, with particular care for Kalba's mangrove forests and nearby protected marine areas — a big deal given that Kalba's mangroves are among the most important ecosystems on the UAE's east coast.
The second project takes longer to arrive but may be the more intriguing one. The Kalba Rock Art Centre, scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027, will showcase over 400 engravings spread across 150 rock formations — some of the most significant rock art in the UAE and the wider region. The timeline is vast: carvings stretch from the Neolithic era through the Bronze and Iron Ages all the way to the 19th century. Among the images are animals, horse riding and copper smelting scenes, and the site also holds remains of stone houses, graves and ancient archaeological deposits.
This won't be a dusty hall of rocks, either. The centre plans virtual reality experiences, educational spaces aimed at students and researchers, and proper visitor facilities — the kind of setup that works for families as well as history buffs.
Both projects come from Shurooq, Sharjah's investment and development authority, which already runs a trio of hospitality spots in Kalba: the Nomad Sharjah Retreat, Kingfisher Sharjah Retreat and the existing Kalba waterfront. The idea is to give guests at those retreats new reasons to linger, and to boost tourism across Sharjah's Eastern Region more broadly — part of a strategy backed by Sharjah's ruler that pairs economic growth with protecting the area's natural landscapes and heritage.
For travellers, the appeal is easy to see. Kalba sits on the Gulf of Oman side of the UAE, a world away from the glitz of Dubai and a handy escape for anyone based in Sharjah, Dubai or the northern emirates. Once the beach opens in December 2026, you could realistically pair a morning of mangrove kayaking or birdwatching with an afternoon on the sand. And from mid-2027, the rock art centre gives the east coast a genuine cultural anchor to go with its mountains, wadis and quiet shoreline. Keep it on the list for your next UAE trip — especially if you've already done the big-city highlights.
