UAE’s desert colors: the sands of all seven emirates

The United Arab Emirates are usually linked with Dubai’s dazzling towers or the beaches of Abu Dhabi. Yet beyond those sleek skylines lies another face of the country: vast deserts where every stretch of sand carries its own hue. Each emirate, it turns out, has a signature shade—rooted not only in geology, but also woven into culture.

Shades across the emirates

Each emirate in the UAE can be recognized by the color of its sands.

Abu Dhabi is known for its orange dunes, a shade that appears thanks to high iron content in the soil. The landscape seems permanently washed in soft sunset tones.

Dubai stands out with vivid red sands. Iron is abundant here too, giving the desert a striking, saturated look.

Sharjah is marked by brown sands. Scientists say the color comes from remnants of ancient plants and distinctive rocks.

Ajman leans toward a calm beige. The neutrality of the sand lends the scenery a quietly serene feel.

Umm Al Quwain surprises with a bluish tint to its sand—possibly due to particular minerals found in the area.

Ras Al Khaimah can boast white sands. Composed of fine quartz and shells, they make local beaches especially appealing.

Fujairah is different again, with black sands. Scientists believe the color is linked to ancient volcanic rocks.

Why it matters

In the UAE, the palette of the sands is more than aesthetics—it’s part of identity. Shops sell distinctive souvenirs: small jars layered with sands from all seven emirates. Each stripe of color, in its own way, tells a story.

There is also an initiative called Color of Unity. Its idea is to create a paint that blends all seven shades of sand, a symbolic nod to friendship and cohesion among the emirates. The concept feels both tangible and poetic, as if turning geography into a shared emblem.

The desert keeps many secrets

Beyond their beauty, the sands conceal real historical finds. In 2024, archaeologists on Siniya Island uncovered remains of an ancient town and a Christian monastery—a reminder that beneath the desert’s apparent emptiness lies a rich past.

These colors are not just a pretty picture. Behind every shade stand millions of years of history, along with nature, traditions and culture. Together they make the UAE’s deserts feel even more surprising—and more alive.