I am already awake when Jasper creeps in just before 6am to rouse me for our secret beach swim. “Morning mum”, he greets me with a hug. Ordinarily I would groan, roll over and snuggle into my pillow for an extra nap. But after a restless night, I welcome the early morning distraction of starting the day pre dawn.
We pull on togs and pull ourselves together, piling, still sleepy, into the car. Even the skyscrapers of the Marina still look languid as we drive past and arriving at Secret Beach, the sun is just creeping over the horizon.
With the Burj Al Arab shining pastel in the morning light we plunge into the water. It is, rather surprisingly, warmer than the chilly early morning air.
We swim as the world awakens and after a set of strokes and exercises, we make our way back into the beach for a jog followed by a stretch. The stretch of sand here at Secret Beach has woken up now too and there are runners, swimmers and volleyballers all out doing their thing. As well, there are a number of people just sitting, clearly content to savor the early morning without the need for any particular activity.
I take another dip in the water, watching a small school of fish hasten away from me through the clear water. They are the same color as the sand. We skim some stones and watch them skip across the water making little splashes and leaving little circles on the surface, marking the spot where the sink below. We make our way back to the car and into our day.
Our morning at Secret Beach brings a smile to my face later on in the day. What a lovely feeling to carry me through my day, a little secret from pre dawn.
Good To Know
Secret Beach, sometimes known as Palace or Sufouh Beach, is along the Dubai coastline. It is situated north of The Palm and south of the Burj Al Arab. The easiest way to access the beach is by private vehicle but beware, parking is on the sand and a 4wd is recommended.
Would I Return?
Yes. Willingly, if I can rouse myself early enough again.
