Dubai Marina / Jumeirah Beach Residence · Dubai

Dubai Marina & JBR

An artificial canal cut inland from the Gulf, lined with towers and a seven-kilometre promenade, with the free public beach at JBR at its seaward end. It is where Dubai residents actually spend their evenings, which makes it a useful corrective to a trip spent entirely in malls.

The towers of Dubai Marina reflected in the canal at dusk

Why go

Seven kilometres of free promenade at canal level
JBR open beach — public, lifeguarded, free
Footbridge to Bluewaters Island and Ain Dubai
Dhow cruises and yacht charters leave from the Marina jetties

The walk

The Marina Walk runs the full length of the canal at water level, past moored yachts and under the road bridges, and it is free, shaded in stretches and open at all hours. Start at Marina Mall and walk south-west and you will come out at The Beach at JBR in about forty minutes.

The Bluewaters footbridge from JBR takes you across to Ain Dubai, the observation wheel on the island, and the crossing itself is one of the better free viewpoints in the city.

The beach

JBR's open beach is public, free, has lifeguards, showers and a running track behind it, and looks straight out at the wheel. Water sports operators work the sand from mid-morning, and there is no reason to pay a beach club unless you want a pool as well.

Dubai Marina & JBR, answered

Is JBR beach free?

Yes. The open beach at JBR is a free public beach with lifeguards, showers and changing facilities. Only the beach clubs behind it charge.

Marina or JBR for an evening?

They are the same evening — the promenade connects them. Start on the Marina Walk for the yachts and the canal, finish at JBR for the beach and the wheel.