Do you need your passport to enter a public beach in the UAE (Sharjah/Ajman), and how much does entry cost?

If the hotel shuttle to Deira isn't running, there's a bus station nearby — you can easily look up the route and bus number online.

A free alternative to paid beaches is Al Heera Beach in Sharjah — it's well-maintained with a promenade. Get there by taxi from your hotel, or walk to Al Jubail Bus Station and take bus #112 (Sharjah–Ajman route), fare 5–8 AED cash, buses run every 20–30 minutes. Get off at the Hospital stop; the beach is a short walk away.

You don't need to bring your actual passport to the beach: a phone photo (or copy) of your ID page, your visa/entry stamp page, and your hotel voucher is sufficient. Entry with these documents costs 5 AED per person.

For discounted beach entry, bring a copy of your passport and your hotel voucher (showing which hotel you're staying at) — entry is then 5 AED. It's also recommended to photograph your visa/entry date page just in case.