Dubai’s newest beachfront address, La Mer, is a fine addition to the city’s urban beach cred. The inspirational destination that has transformed the suburban Jumeirah 1 neighbourhood features wide open spaces with palm tree-lined boulevards, graffiti art murals and laidback beachside charm.
Surrounded by almost 2.5km of relaxing sandy beaches and located near some of the city’s modern landmarks, including Etihad Museum and the Dubai Water Canal, La Mer is sure to become your new favourite address to eat, play and unwind.
Sand to shore
La Mer spans an impressive 13.4 million square feet of existing and reclaimed land. Located between Pearl Jumeira and the upcoming Jumeira Bay, it stretches from Jumeirah 1 into the ocean complete with views of the city skyline and Arabian Gulf. Built by Meraas, the developers behind Dubai’s popular City Walk and The Beach destinations, La Mer also features a harmonious blend of minimalist and contemporary design.
Inspired by the way the sea washes up timber, rusted metal and barrels to the shore, La Mer’s seafresh marine theme is visible at every turn. Sustainability has been a key aspect during construction with corals, unique to the area, carefully preserved and some even being replanted.
In the zone
Comprising four distinct zones – the beach, a leisure and entertainment hub, North Island, and South Island – La Mer is a beachfront haven for families.
Opening in two phases, visitors can explore 130 stores, restaurants and beach activities at North Island and South Island. Visitors can shop for beach essentials at homegrown boutique ShayMartian and LA-based label Trina Turk, before stopping for a bite to eat. Some of our favourites dining spots include Motomachi for authentic Japanese cuisine, the barbecued delights at The Backyard and casual Emirati fare at Treej Cafe.
Fun in the sun
Designed to showcase sunshine living at its best, the hub emphasises water play, beach sports and activities for the young and young at heart. One of the highlights here is Hawa Hawa, an exciting inflatable playground concept. Originating from Japan, it’s the first playground of its kind installed out of East Asia and features a series of dune-shaped peaks for low-impact and high-intensity fun.
Existing beaches have been given a new lease of life and now feature modern showers, free Wi-Fi access, mobile charging points and four children’s playground areas. Families can spend the day just relaxing at La Mer’s cabanas by the beach and taking photos by the colourful boats on the sand.
More in store
Stay tuned for the second phase of La Mer – The Wharf – which will feature a more industrial aesthetic with novel additions, including a waterpark featuring a surf park that is a first-of-its kind in the region, a cinema and additional shops, cafés and restaurants.
Down the line, La Mer will also be home to a hotel and residential community, located on two man-made peninsulas.
How to get there
Open daily from 10am until midnight, La Mer at Jumeirah 1 is easily reachable using public transport. The easiest way to get there is by taxi. Hail one from any roadside or book one by calling +971 4 208 0808. If you’d like to drive, underground self-parking and valet parking are also available.