Abu Dhabi: Beaches here have received more than 1.525 million visitors since the start of this year with Corniche Beach receiving 1.154 million visitors and Al Bateen 370,000, Abu Dhabi City Municipality said in a press release.

The civic body has introduced a raft of new services at the beaches to attract more visitors.

The Corniche Beach has facilities for aqua games, a central public address system to alert visitors of beach openings, swim times and events.

The municipality is planning to add more beach services such as water games, beach chairs and umbrellas, and diversified restaurants to meet the needs of beachgoers in coordination with the concerned divisions within Abu Dhabi City Municipality.

According to Abu Dhabi City Municipality, the number of lifeguards deployed in the beach climbed from 29 lifeguards during weekdays to 37 lifeguards during holidays.

The civic body is also focusing on improving facilities for people with special needs. It has provided floating chairs customised to fit the comfort and needs of disabled swimmers and is now in the process of constructing pathways to help them.

Regarding the new services on Al Bateen Beach, the municipality stressed that the beach had witnessed constant renovation works in order to cater to the needs of visitors, such as using the central PA system to inform visitors about the beach opening and closing times. It is also planning to introduce new services at the beach such as providing beach chairs, beach shades, marine sports, and bike rental services.

The number of lifeguards at Al Bateen Beach has now reached eight on weekdays and 12 on weekends and public holidays, in addition to four lifeguards deployed at the women’s beach, the municipality said.

Work is under way to add service kiosks at the women’s beach.