UPDATE AS AT APRIL 2023: What looked like a partial redevelopment of the La Mer site in early 2023 now sees the entire site, including Laguna Water Park being bulldozed! We will update you with what will replace this fabulous little beach escape in Dubai. Rumor is it will be called J1 Beach and reopen in 2024.
Dubai Travel Planner Team
La Mer is Dubai’s coolest beachfront that has everything from sunbathing on the beach to shopping, dining and entertainment, making it a ‘self-contained’ play-cation spot. It’s located in Jumeirah 1, along 2.5 kilometres of white sands, with palm-tree lined walkways and overlooking the pristine turquoise blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.
This urban beach is a perfect family destination offering a little getaway in the middle of the city.
What is La Mer Dubai?
With ample parking available across from the beachfront and underground, this place is open for residents and tourists throughout the year. Walking at La Mer, it’s easy to forget you are in Dubai, thanks to the beautiful urban landscape, the funky music playing in the background, the retro lights dotted around the place, the graffiti-like murals on walls and pavement, and the overall beach vibe.
You see a harmonious blend of urban and contemporary design, which is sustainable at the same time, in the form of rustic metal, washed-off timber and boats, fishing nets and woven ropes dotted around the place.
La Mer Dubai is split into four sections; the Beach, the central leisure and entertainment hub; Laguna, the North Island and the South Island. The Beach is where you get to soak up the sun and catch some waves, while the wide-open boardwalks are perfect for some strolling.
Stretched along the North and South Islands are ample dining options, entertainment facilities for the kids and grownups, and many shopping opportunities. With so much to keep the family occupied for an entire day, La Mer is a one-stop place for lots of fun, one of our top recommended places to visit in Dubai.
Top 5 things to do at La Mer
1. Head for the Beach
Grab your sunscreen and spend your day at the beachfront, soaking up the sun with sand in your toes. Simply lounge by the beachside cabanas with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf or engage in some thrilling water play and beach sports. At the North Island beach, you get to do activities like Flyboarding, Jetskiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing. Head to the South Beach and participate in rental activities such as Standup Paddle, Waterbike, Pedalo, Kayaking and other float rentals.
Access to the beach for the public is free. If you are looking to rent yourself a sunbed or two, head to the Sea Breeze kiosk. Alternatively, go for a more premium experience and book a luxury air-conditioned Day room for the entire family, complete with a mini-fridge and private terrace.
Stop by Watersports by First Yacht for fun, memorable and supervised water-based activities for the whole family to enjoy from stand-up paddle boarding to more high-adrenaline jet skiing and flyboarding.
Although La Mer Beach remains open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 10:00 am to 12:00 am from Thursday to Saturday, you are allowed to swim only till sunset.
For more detailed information on pricing, offers and activities list, check the La Mer website.
2. Take a stroll along boardwalk
La Mer is easily one of the city’s best selfie spots. The focus here isn’t just on the beach and the food outlets but also on the decorative art, graffiti-inspired features on the buildings and pavements and rustic elements around the stretch of the boardwalk.
Almost everywhere you look, you will be surrounded by an ‘open-air canvas’ and want to strike a pose for a picture. Try to spot fishes painted on manholes, Arabic phrases such as ‘Yalla Habibi’ and ‘Aloo Keefak’ on wall murals, hopscotch painted on tarmac, and painted wings on walls for some instagrammable shots.
There’s even a water pond for visitors to throw a coin and make a wish, shallow water features to walk across and sandy playground areas for the kids to burn off some energy.
The Central section of La Mer seems gives the feel of having emerged straight out of a dystopian novel, with rusty pipes, cobbled pavements, worn-out drums, wooden barrels and wooden crates placed around. The industrial vibes you get here are opposite to the vibrant sea-side charm you get on other parts of the boardwalk. Along the shore you will find beautifully colourful beach huts, vibrant surf boards, parked wooden fishing boats and tumbling water buckets.
There’s plenty to see and play along on this urban playground, and should your feet become weary, you’ll find a Rolls Royce styled cart to usher you back to your car or hotel.
3. Splash at Laguna Water Park
The Laguna waterpark is an ultimate family destination offering a whole day’s fun while you splash and slide. It includes thrilling slides, the region’s star attraction ‘WaveOz 180 FlowRider’ for the surf enthusiasts, a dedicated kids splash zone for the little ones, and the ultimate laidback lazy river.
You can also relax in luxury cabanas on the waterfront, enjoy a dip in the waterpark’s beautiful infinity pool, complete with a swim-up juice bar and experience rooftop dining with panoramic views over the Arabian Gulf at the Bungalow.
A day pass entry to Laguna Water Park starts from as little as AED 99 for UAE residents, with access to unlimited food & beverage. Children under the age of 2 enter for free. The day pass also allows you access to the waterpark multiple times a day, which means you can stroll out for a quick bite and be back to surf once again in no time!
In the cooler winter months, there’s even the option to camp out at Laguna Waterpark! A not-to-be-missed fun glamping experience in the city.
Laguna Waterpark is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Tickets can be booked on the spot or purchased online with more savings.
It is advisable to check their website for news on seasonal closure (usually around Jan-Feb, re-opening in time for Spring school break and open all through the hottest months of summer).
4. Bounce at Hawa Hawa
‘Hawa Hawa’ translates to ‘Jump for Joy’, an exciting inflatable playground concept for the young and young-at-heart. Originating from Japan, this playground has a series of dune-shaped peaks for low-impact jumping and high-intensity fun.
20 minutes play is charged at AED 30. 40 minutes of play is charged at AED 45. The park is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to Midnight on weekends.
Learn more about Hawa Hawa here
5. Catch a movie at Roxy Cinema
Movie lovers will love watching their favourite blockbuster movie at this boutique-like picture house. Although the screens are on the smaller side, with only 20-something seats available, Roxy Cinema offers a unique “bistro lounge experience” with the option of meals brought to you inside the cinema, as you dine on their cozy, luxurious leather recliner chairs.
To know which movies are playing and to book your tickets, check The Roxy Cinemas website.
What Dining options are available at La Mer?
La Mer brings to you cuisines from all over the world, making the decision on where to dine an absolutely difficult one. Whether you are looking for classic American, authentic Indian, urban Japanese or gourmet Meditteranean, there are over 30 mouth-watering gastronomic options for everyone at La Mer. Think bubble tea, camel milk drinks, rainbow sliders and liquid nitrogen-infused frozen Cheetos.
While most don’t service alcohol, there are a few limited restaurants that are licensed to do so.
As you stroll along the waterfront, you will also find lots of cafes, dessert bars and ice cream parlours, inviting you in with their interesting and diverse menus. La Mer truly has so much to discover in the world of flavour, making it a paradise for foodies.
Can I do some shopping at La Mer?
Walk along the stretch of La Mer and discover shops and beach boutiques selling beautiful brands and accessories. For the beachgoers, there are stores, homegrown and international labels, selling a stylish range of swimsuits and kaftans, fun beach accessories and giant inflatables to laze around in. Other stores bring you edgy streetwear with urban designs, striking accessories, statement watches and so much more.
There are a few mini-marts selling water, drinks and snacks in case all the strolling leaves you parched.
Where can I stay at La Mer?
Make the most of Dubai’s iconic La Mer, by staying over at Rove La Mer located along the sunny shores. With such close proximity you will never miss out on soaking up the sun, exploring the restaurants and strolling along the colourful boardwalk. Step out a little further and discover what more Dubai’s most historic and best-loved neighbourhoods, Jumeirah, has to offer.
Rove La Mer is a 10-minute drive from the Dubai Financial Centre, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera House and Burj Khalifa. It is also a 20-minute drive from another favourite spot in Dubai, JBR – Jumeirah beach Residences.
You can check out all accommodation options nearby to La Mer here:
Other facilities at La Mer
La Mer Dubai is a well-thought-out location with many clean toilets and changing rooms close to the beach and dotted around the stretch. You will also find here baby changing rooms, prayer rooms, ATMs, money exchange centres, bus and taxi stops, and information desks.
Where to find La Mer
La Mer Dubai is located in Jumeirah 1, between Pearl Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bay.
- If taking the RTA bus, you can take the bus number 8, 9 or 88 that make multiple stops along Jumeirah Beach Road and walk towards the beach.
- You can also take a taxi and will be dropped off close to the North Island entrance of La Mer Dubai. There is no direct access via the Dubai Metro.
- Many hotels, including Rove La Mer, also provide a shuttle bus service to this location.
- There is no direct access to La Mer via the local Metro service. The nearest Metro station is Financial Centre, which is a 10-minute drive away, you’d still need to complete your journey by taxi.
To arrive by car, you need to drive towards Jumeriah Road.
- If you are coming from the direction of Abu Dhabi, you need to drive past Mercato Shopping Mall, turn left onto 39A street, and follow the signs to 2A Street, where the entrance to La Mer North is situated.
- If you’re coming from the direction of Sharjah, you need to drive past Etihad Museum and Jumeirah Mosque on Jumeirah Street, and then turn right onto 2A Street.
There is plenty of free parking on the ground floor. However, the underground parking here is chargeable at AED 20 per hour. If visitors dine or shop at any La Mer restaurants or stores worth AED 100, they can avail free parking for four hours by validating their parking voucher.
Valet Parking is also available with charges starting at AED 50.
La Mer timings
La Mer Beach:
- Weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday): 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Weekends (Thursday to Sunday) : 10:00 am till 12:00 am
- Swimming is only allowed until sunset
Retail Stores:
- Weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday): 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Weekends (Thursday to Sunday) : 10:00 am till 12:00 am
F & B outlets:
- Weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday): 10:00 am to 12:00 am
- Weekends (Thursday to Sunday) : 10:00 am till 12:00 am
Other things to know before your visit La Mer Dubai
La Mer hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including live performances, for kids and adults. To know more about the events happening, visit La Mer’s official events page.
Absolutely. You may need to pay for parking as outlined above, but access to just the beachfront without using any of the facilities won’t cost you anything.
It is important to note that pets are not allowed at any part of La Mer.
Dog-owners in Dubai may want to try pet-friendly walks along The Pointe and Palm West Beach on Palm Jumeirah where on-leash dog walking is permitted.
La Mer is very close to Jumeirah Mosque which offers daily public tours. It can be a great way to combine one of Dubai’s top cultural experiences with a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
La Mer is also about 1 kilometre away from the Etihad Museum and Union House, a fascinating step into the unification of the Emirates, learn more here.
A limited number of licensed restaurants operate within La Mer. Drinking of alcohol in public outside of these venues is strictly prohibited.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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