Bluewaters Island

Bluewaters Island is a man-made island off JBR beach, next to Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. It is one of the most pleasant places in Dubai for an evening out: a waterfront promenade, restaurants and cafes, a beach, a cycling path, and at its centre the Ain Dubai giant wheel. Entry to the island is free, and you pay only for what you choose to do there.

The island's landmark is Ain Dubai, an observation wheel 250 metres tall. According to Meraas, which developed the island, it is the tallest observation wheel in the world. Even if you do not ride it, you enjoy it from below, especially in the evening when it is lit up above the water.

The island combines homes, hotels, restaurants and entertainment. It has hotels and residences, galleries and shops, and a range of restaurants with views of the water and the Marina skyline. Among the entertainment venues on the island are the Madame Tussauds Dubai wax museum, the Tr88house VR and laser tag venue, and Brass Monkey, a place with bowling, games and food.

A special experience on the island is The Pods: a restaurant with air-conditioned glass pods, in each of which you dine privately facing the water. The kitchen is pan-Asian. The 4-course meal has a starter, a soup, a main course and dessert, including the house salad, dumplings, Tom Yum soup, Norwegian salmon, green curry and ginger cheesecake. It is a good choice for a romantic evening, a birthday or a business meal.

The island is connected to the shore by a pedestrian bridge from JBR, so it is easy to combine with a walk along The Walk promenade and JBR beach. You can also come by car and park in the island's car park, and public transport serves it too.

Bluewaters suits couples looking for a pleasant evening by the water, families who want to stroll without paying an entrance fee, and anyone staying in the Marina and JBR area. It is not a several-hour attraction, but a place to walk, eat and take in the view.

Tip: come before sunset, walk across the bridge from JBR, and stay to see Ain Dubai light up in the evening. If you book The Pods, parking in the island's car park is validated for three hours.

The island is open all year round. The most comfortable time is October to April, in the afternoon and evening. In summer it is better to arrive after sunset, when Ain Dubai is lit and the heat is less heavy. At The Pods you choose a time when booking.