Bluewaters Island is a man-made island off JBR beach, linked by a footbridge, with a waterfront dining strip called The Wharf, two beach hotels and the Ain Dubai wheel. It is free to walk around. Ain Dubai reopened in May 2026 after a precautionary closure from 2 March; check aindubai.com for the day's status before you go.
Bluewaters was developed by Meraas and sits just offshore from Jumeirah Beach Residence. The island mixes residential towers, serviced apartments, a retail and restaurant promenade called The Wharf, and hotel beachfront facing the open Gulf. Its best-known landmark is Ain Dubai, the 250-metre observation wheel at its western tip.
For most visitors it works as a two to three hour stop: walk over from JBR, eat on The Wharf, look back at the Marina towers, and cross back. It is quieter than JBR and The Walk, which makes it a good choice for an evening meal away from the crowds.
On foot from JBR: a pedestrian bridge of about 265 metres links The Beach at JBR to the island. This is the easiest route and takes a few minutes. It is the natural way to combine Bluewaters with a beach afternoon at JBR.
By metro and tram: there is no station on the island. Take the Red Line to the Marina area, then either walk down to JBR or ride the tram to a JBR stop, and cross the bridge. See our Dubai Metro guide and guide to the Dubai Tram for Nol cards and routes. Station names have changed in recent years, so use the RTA journey planner on the day.
By taxi: taxis and ride-hailing cars reach the island by road from Sheikh Zayed Road. Set the drop-off to the hotel or The Wharf.
By car: the island has large podium and basement car parks. Some outlets validate parking if you eat there, but terms change, so ask the restaurant or check the signs before you leave your car.
Most restaurants and cafes sit along The Wharf, the promenade on the island's Marina-facing side, with outdoor terraces looking back at JBR and the Marina skyline. Venues change often, so we only name places listed by the island's official website in September 2026:
The two hotels also run their own restaurants and beach bars, and some are licensed. Check each venue's own page for opening hours and prices before you go. If you want a wider choice, the Marina's waterfront is a short taxi ride away: see where to eat on Dubai Marina Walk, or our round-up of JBR restaurants just over the bridge.
The beachfront on Bluewaters belongs to its hotels and residences rather than being a public beach. Non-guests normally get sand and pool access through a paid day pass or beach club, where offered. Terms and prices vary by season, so ask the hotel directly.
Many guides still name Caesars Palace or its beach clubs; those names no longer apply. For a free public beach, cross back to JBR Beach, which has lifeguarded sections, showers and water sports.
Ain Dubai opened in October 2021, closed in March 2022 and stayed shut until 26 December 2024. It closed again as a precaution from 2 March 2026, during the regional disruption that also included a drone strike near Dubai International Airport on 16 March, and reopened in May 2026. As of September 2026 it is open from 10am to 9pm (last entry 8.15pm), with tickets from AED 145 per person on aindubai.com.
Check aindubai.com for the day's status before you go. Our Ain Dubai status and history page tracks the wheel's closures and lists viewpoint alternatives. For a view of the whole Palm from above, a Dubai helicopter tour is the clearest option.
Yes. There is no entry fee to walk onto Bluewaters Island or browse The Wharf. You pay only for food, parking beyond any validation offered, hotel beach clubs and attractions.
Use the pedestrian bridge from The Beach at JBR. It is about 265 metres long and takes a few minutes to cross. From Dubai Marina, walk or take the Dubai Tram to the JBR end first.
Yes. Ain Dubai reopened in May 2026 after a precautionary closure from 2 March, and is open from 10am to 9pm with last entry at 8.15pm. Check aindubai.com for the day's status before you go.
The island's beaches belong to its hotels and residences, so beach access is usually through a hotel day pass or beach club. The free public beach at JBR is a short walk back over the bridge.
Banyan Tree Dubai, which replaced Caesars Palace Dubai in November 2023, and Delano Dubai, which opened in 2024 in the former Caesars Resort building. Older guides that list Caesars Palace are out of date.
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