14 of 16 places fit
A free waterside walk facing the Mangrove National Park, where kayak tours set off into the channels.
Two kilometres of lifeguarded sand facing northwest, so the sun sets straight over the water.
A food-stall waterfront and beach on Hudayriyat where families stay out well past midnight in winter.
A 5.4 km waterside path with Highline Park looks straight across the channel at the city skyline.
A beachfront strip of restaurants next to Soul Beach, minutes from the Louvre, with the sea one step off the path.
A canal-side walk with the National Aquarium and a view across the water to the Grand Mosque.
A 3 km palm-lined boardwalk links Etihad Arena, beach clubs and dozens of restaurants.
A boardwalk through natural mangroves with observation towers where black herons, and occasionally dugongs, show up.
Walkways and cycle paths run along the 3.2 km canal from Business Bay to the sea, with three footbridges to cross back and forth.
A 1.8 km creekside promenade built with wind towers and palm-frond shade, with dhows and abras tied up along it.
A one-kilometre canal lined with cafés and apartments between Khalid Lagoon and Al Khan, busy with families in the evening.
A quiet east coast seafront with a rubber jogging track, shaded sea-facing benches and toilets, next to the Al Qurm mangroves.
A long seafront on the Gulf of Oman with a beach walk and fish restaurants, with the Hajar right behind the city.
A bay-front walk between the working harbour and the stone amphitheatre, with the lit-up man-made waterfall on the hillside behind.