Kalba Beach reaches 75% completion; Kalba Rock Art Centre to be completed in Q2 2027 – Trav Talk Mid-East
Kalba’s tourism landscape is set for a major expansion as work advances on two projects combining waterfront recreation, archaeology and immersive technology.
Construction of the 700-metre Kalba Beach development has reached 75%, with completion scheduled for December 2026. The coastal destination is being designed as an inclusive community space featuring dining, retail, sports and family-oriented facilities.
The project will contain 11 commercial outlets intended for restaurants, cafés, kiosks and other local businesses. These spaces are expected to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs while strengthening Kalba’s hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.
Outdoor amenities will include dedicated jogging and cycling routes, football pitches, volleyball courts and children’s play zones. Visitors will also have access to public facilities, a prayer room and infrastructure designed for people with disabilities.
Environmental considerations form part of the development plan. The beach is expected to use eco-conscious materials and follow sustainability requirements associated with the Blue Flag programme, helping to protect the surrounding coastal habitat while improving the visitor experience.
Kalba Beach is also planned as a venue for community events, including waterfront fireworks during New Year celebrations.
Rock art brought to life through VR
Elsewhere in Kalba, a new cultural attraction is taking shape at the Khatm Al Melaha archaeological site. The Kalba Rock Art Centre is scheduled for completion during the second quarter of 2027 and will introduce the public to one of the region’s most important collections of ancient engravings.
The site contains more than 400 carvings distributed across approximately 150 rock formations. Together, they provide evidence of human activity spanning the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages and continuing into the 19th century.
Images carved into the landscape portray animals, mounted riders and copper-smelting activities. Archaeological remains found nearby include stone dwellings, graves and shell middens, offering further insight into how communities once lived and worked in the area.
A permanent exhibition will explain the significance of these discoveries, while virtual reality experiences will allow guests to explore the site and its history through interactive digital interpretation. The centre will also provide educational areas for school groups, university students, researchers and archaeology enthusiasts.
The engravings are being digitally recorded and converted into detailed models through collaboration between heritage specialists. This documentation will support long-term conservation, enable further academic study and preserve a virtual record of the site for future generations.
A connected tourism destination
Both projects form part of a wider plan to connect Kalba’s coastline, mountains, mangroves, protected landscapes and archaeological heritage. The goal is to make these natural and cultural assets easier to experience while expanding services for residents and tourists.
The new developments will complement Kalba’s established waterfront and retreat destinations, further positioning the city as a hub for nature-based travel, outdoor leisure and heritage tourism in Sharjah.
