The United Arab Emirates (UAE) faces significant water scarcity due to its arid conditions and rising water demands driven by population growth and economic expansion. With more than three-quarters of the country covered by desert, limited rainfall and high temperatures result in a natural water supply of under 200 m³ per person annually. Despite relying on desalinated seawater and limited groundwater, inland and coastal water bodies in the region play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, cultural heritage, economic prosperity, groundwater replenishment, and climate regulation. Understanding their pivotal significance provides essential guidance for managing water resources, particularly for sustainable development in arid areas like the UAE. Hence, effective preservation and management of scarce freshwater resources become imperative. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) have emerged as essential tools for assessing, monitoring, and analyzing water resources. Their advanced capabilities enable robust evaluation of land surface resources and facilitate comprehensive analysis of their temporal changes. This study conducts a detailed multi-temporal analysis of inland and coastal water bodies within the current land borders of the UAE using satellite imagery and GIS techniques, incorporating machine learning algorithms and supplementary datasets to enhance the classification process. Collectively, the presence of inland and coastal water remains minimal, fluctuating from 365km2 in the early 1970s to approximately 154 km2 presently. The analysis reveals an overall decline in water within the study area, although some new inland water bodies have emerged while coastal water has diminished. This study sheds light on the spatiotemporal dynamics of inland and coastal water bodies , providing valuable insights to aid in planning and decision-making for sustainable development actions.