If you have a free evening and want the desert without jeeps and shows, go to the Al Qudra Lakes. It’s a chain of man-made lakes in the middle of the sands, 30–45 minutes from central Dubai. Around them are dunes and scrub; on the water, ducks, geese and, if you’re lucky, flamingos. And nearby is Love Lake, a lake shaped like two hearts.
It’s one of Dubai residents’ favourite places for an evening walk, a bike ride or a picnic. Visitors come less often, because it’s hard to get here without a car. Below: what’s here, which rules apply and how to plan the evening so you’re in time for the sunset.
In short
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | Al Qudra Road (D63), Al Marmoom reserve, about 40 km from the centre |
| Getting there | 30–45 minutes by car; no public transport |
| Entry | Free, no gates or tickets |
| Time needed | 3–4 hours including sunset |
| Best season | October to April |
| What to bring | Water, food, rubbish bags, a warm layer for the evening, binoculars |
What Al Qudra is
The Al Qudra Lakes are part of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, declared in 2018 as the UAE’s first unfenced reserve. According to Khaleej Times, it covers more than 950 km², about 23% of Dubai’s land area. There are 56 man-made lakes, created to attract migrating birds and bring a living wetland ecosystem to the desert.
Greater flamingos live in the reserve, an estimated 500 to 2,000 birds: the largest concentration in the country. Arabian oryx and gazelles live here too, and by the water you can easily spot ducks, geese and swans. The reserve has viewing platforms for birdwatching, such as the Bird’s Nest by the Al Qudra Lakes.
In autumn 2022 I shared the lakes’ big secret in my Instagram stories: the water in them is treated wastewater. According to Gulf News, the lake is fed with water from Dubai Municipality’s Jebel Ali treatment plant. That’s one more reason not to swim here. And don’t expect bright pink birds like in the photos online: the flamingos I show my guests are usually pale. In my experience, they turn pinker towards winter.
Ducks and geese on one of the Al Qudra Lakes. The flamingos keep further from people, so bring binoculars. Photo: Japashalin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Love Lake: the heart-shaped lake
Love Lake is the most photographed spot in the area: a lake shaped like two intertwined hearts. You can only see the shape from above, but the shore has heart installations, walking paths and photo spots. Love Lake is about 10 minutes by car from the main Al Qudra Lakes.
My tip: get to Love Lake before sunset, and watch the sunset itself from the open shore of the main lakes or by the dunes. Weekend evenings are busy here; weekdays are noticeably calmer.
Love Lake from the air: two hearts in the sand, with a chain of the reserve’s other lakes nearby. Photo: Lowai Alkawarit, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Al Qudra Cycling Track
Al Qudra Cycling Track runs along the D63. In 2022 Guinness World Records named it the longest continuous cycling path: 80.6 km. With its branches the network reaches 135 km.
The track has shaded rest areas, toilets and cafes, bike rental points and emergency phones at 30 locations. If you want to ride part of it, plan for the morning: even in winter the daytime sun is strong. And don’t ride the track in the dark without lights and experience.
Picnics, fires and camping: the rules
This is where you shouldn’t trust every blog. At the lakes themselves Dubai Municipality has put up signs that ban:
- camping, fires, barbecues and cooking;
- swimming and fishing;
- feeding animals and birds;
- walking dogs;
- driving cars and motorbikes to the water;
- cutting plants and hunting.
Leaving rubbish or lighting a fire carries a 500 AED fine, and under federal law fines for dumping waste can reach 30,000 AED. A picnic on a blanket with sandwiches and water is fine; a grill or a campfire by the water is not.
According to Dubai Municipality, a short weekend camp in the desert doesn’t need a permit, but only where camping is allowed. Check the rules and the signs on site before you go, and take your rubbish home. If you want a night in the desert without worrying about the rules, an organised format is easier, such as an overnight desert safari.
A sunset plan: 4 hours
A realistic evening from October to April. Check the sunset time on your phone in advance: in winter the sun sets earlier than in October.
- 3 hours before sunset: leave Dubai. The drive takes 30–45 minutes.
- 2 hours before sunset: the main Al Qudra Lakes. A walk along the water, the viewing platform, the birds.
- 1 hour 15 minutes before: Love Lake. Photos with the installations while it’s still light.
- Sunset: on the shore or by the dunes near the lakes.
- After sunset: 20–30 minutes for the stars, then back. Away from the city lights the sky is noticeably darker.
- An hour after sunset: you’re back in the city.
With children, this plan pairs well with animals: if you want to see more, look at my guide to animal encounters in Dubai and the UAE.
What to bring
- water and food: there are no shops or cafes by the water;
- rubbish bags;
- a light warm layer, because the desert cools fast after sunset;
- closed shoes for the sand;
- binoculars for the birds;
- a torch and a charged phone.
Common mistakes
- Arriving right at sunset. You won’t have time for Love Lake or the platform.
- Bringing a grill to the lake. It’s banned by the water.
- Approaching the flamingos. The birds will fly off, and the reserve is their home.
- Going in the daytime in summer. The sun and heat make the walk hard going.
How I can help
I run private trips with hotel pickup: I’ll collect you, bring you to the lakes and Love Lake for the right light and take you back to the city after sunset. Al Qudra combines easily with the desert: for example, a hot air balloon flight over the desert in the morning and the lakes in the evening, or a full desert safari. More on the desert formats in my guide to desert safaris in Dubai.
Checked on 11 October 2026. Sources: RTA, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, Dubai Municipality. Rules in the reserve change, so check the signs on site.
Practical answers
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Al Qudra Lakes and how far are they from Dubai?
In the desert off Al Qudra Road (D63), about 40 km from central Dubai: 30–45 minutes by car. There is no public transport.
Are there flamingos at the Al Qudra Lakes?
Yes. Greater flamingos live in the Al Marmoom reserve, an estimated 500 to 2,000 birds. Watch them from a distance with binoculars, in the cooler months.
What is Love Lake in Dubai?
A lake shaped like two intertwined hearts in the same reserve, near the main Al Qudra Lakes. The hearts are visible from above, and on the shore there are installations and walking paths.
Can you camp at the Al Qudra Lakes?
At the lakes themselves, Dubai Municipality signs ban camping, fires and barbecues. For an overnight stay, choose an area where camping is allowed and check the rules on site before you go.
Do you need a 4x4 to get to Al Qudra?
No. Asphalt roads lead to the lakes and Love Lake, so a normal car is fine. A 4x4 is only needed for driving on the dunes, and driving up to the water is not allowed.
When is the best time to visit Al Qudra?
October to April, an hour and a half to two hours before sunset. In summer the daytime heat is intense and there are fewer birds: the migration season runs from October to March.
