Dubai Marina, JBR and Bluewaters Island: a visitor's guide

Where Dubai Marina, JBR and Bluewaters sit

Dubai Marina is a residential and leisure district built around a long waterway, lined with towers, hotels, restaurants and boat moorings. A promenade runs along the water's edge, so much of the area can be seen on foot. JBR lies between the marina and the sea: its towers face the beach, and the open-air street at their base, The Walk, leads down to the waterfront area known as The Beach.

Bluewaters Island sits just offshore from JBR. It is close enough to the beach that it is part of most visits to this coast, and RTA lists a water taxi route between Dubai Marina Mall and Bluewaters, which gives you a second way to reach it besides walking or driving.

If this is your first trip to the city, our first-time Dubai checklist covers the basics, and our guide on where to stay in Dubai explains how this coastal area compares with Downtown and the older districts around the Creek.

• Dubai Marina: the waterway, its promenade and the towers around it.
• JBR: the beachfront towers, The Walk and The Beach.
• Bluewaters Island: the island just off the JBR shoreline.

Getting there by Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram

Most visitors arrive on the Dubai Metro Red Line and change to the Dubai Tram, which serves the Marina and JBR area. RTA describes the tram as a service that links the Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail and runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, so it is the natural way to move between the Metro, the marina and the beach without a long walk in the sun.

RTA says tram stations use platform screen doors that line up with the tram doors, which also helps keep the stations and carriages cool. Like the Metro, the tram has Gold Class cabins for Gold Class ticket holders and cabins reserved for women and children, so check the signs on the platform before you board.

Station names and the best interchange can change as the network grows, so enter your start and end points in RTA's Journey Planner or the S'hail app rather than relying on an old map. Our guide to getting around Dubai explains how the Metro, tram, buses and taxis fit together across the city.

• Take the Metro Red Line, then change to the Dubai Tram for Marina and JBR.
• Look for the Gold Class and women-and-children cabin signs before boarding.
• Use RTA's Journey Planner to choose the best interchange on the day.

Dubai Marina water taxi, ferry and abras

The water is part of the transport network here. RTA's air-conditioned Dubai Water Taxi in the marina is a hop-on, hop-off service with four stops: Marina Terrace, Marina Walk, Dubai Marina Mall and Marina Promenade. It is a pleasant way to see the towers from the water and to save your legs between the two ends of the promenade. RTA also lists a route between Dubai Marina Mall and Bluewaters.

RTA describes the Dubai Ferry as a fully air-conditioned service that seats up to 98 passengers, including space for two wheelchairs, and says it is stroller-friendly. RTA also operates abras, the traditional boats whose name comes from the Arabic verb for 'to cross'. Routes, timetables and fares for all marine services are published on RTA's marine transport pages and in the Journey Planner, so check them before you set out.

RTA's marine rules matter if you are travelling with children: unaccompanied children under 12 are not allowed on marine transport, children under 12 travelling with an adult must wear a life jacket on board, and a valid ID for the child must be shown at the ticketing and information office at marine stations.

• Water taxi stops: Marina Terrace, Marina Walk, Dubai Marina Mall and Marina Promenade.
• Children under 12 must travel with an adult and wear a life jacket on board.
• Carry an ID for each child when using marine transport.

Paying with a Nol card

RTA says the same Nol card works on the Dubai Metro, buses, the Dubai Tram and marine transport, including the Dubai Ferry, the Dubai Water Taxi and abras. That means one card covers a whole day of hopping between the Metro, the tram and the boats in this area.

Tap in and tap out every time. RTA explains that you place your Nol card on the reader at Metro gates or at the entrance of buses and marine transport, and wait for the beep or green light that confirms the transaction. If you pass the card over the reader too quickly the transaction may not complete, so hold it there until it does.

For the different card types, how to top up and how fares are calculated, see our Dubai public transport and Nol card guide. Eating and drinking are not allowed in areas of public transport where they are prohibited, and RTA lists fines for breaking the code of conduct, so finish your drink before you go through the gates.

• One Nol card works on Metro, tram, bus, ferry, water taxi and abra.
• Tap in and tap out, and wait for the beep or green light.
• Do not eat or drink where public transport rules forbid it.

A walking route: Marina Walk, The Walk and The Beach

A simple route links the three areas. Start on the marina promenade, walk along the water towards the sea end of the marina, then cut through to The Walk at JBR and follow it down to The Beach. From there you can look across to Bluewaters Island, and you can return by tram or by water taxi instead of retracing your steps.

Distances along the water look short but add up, especially in warm weather. Plan to break the walk with stops in shade or indoors, and use the tram or water taxi for the longer stretches. Evening is a good time for the promenade, when the towers are lit and the air is cooler.

For photography, the promenade and the beach give you two different views of the skyline. Our Dubai photography and viewpoints guide has general advice on photographing in public places, and our guide to night markets and illuminated attractions suggests other places to see the city after dark. Avoid photographing other people, especially women and children, without permission.

• Marina promenade first, then The Walk at JBR, then The Beach.
• Return by tram or water taxi to save walking in the heat.
• Ask before photographing people.

Using the beach and swimming safely

The sea in front of JBR is calm on many days, but conditions change with the wind. Dubai Municipality has stressed the importance of following beach rules, keeping constant watch on children and following lifeguards' instructions. Swim only in marked swimming areas where lifeguards are on duty, and leave the water if a lifeguard tells you to.

Dubai Municipality also runs designated night-swimming beaches elsewhere on the coast, which it says have lighting systems, qualified lifeguards and screens with safety messages. Night swimming is only appropriate at beaches that are set up and staffed for it, so do not swim after dark anywhere else, including in front of JBR, unless the beach is clearly signposted for night swimming.

Before a beach day, check the UAE National Center of Meteorology's marine forecast and weather warnings, and stay out of the sea if a warning is in force. Our guide to Dubai's public beaches and swimming safety covers the municipality's public beaches and swimming safety in more detail.

• Swim only in marked areas with lifeguards on duty.
• Keep children in sight at all times, in and out of the water.
• Check NCM's marine forecast and warnings before you go.

Heat, weather and the best time of day

Most of this area is outdoors, so the time of day makes a large difference to how comfortable your visit is. In the warmer months, plan the beach and the long walks for the early morning or after sunset, and use the middle of the day for indoor places, the air-conditioned tram or a boat ride.

Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade. Sand and paving can become very hot, so wear shoes you can walk in rather than going barefoot away from the water. If someone becomes confused, faints or seems to be getting worse despite resting in a cool place, treat it as an emergency.

The National Center of Meteorology publishes current weather warnings on a map on its website, so check it on the morning of your visit. Our guide to planning around Dubai's heat explains how to plan a day by season.

• Do outdoor walks and swims early or after sunset in the warmer months.
• Spend the hottest hours indoors or on air-conditioned transport.
• Carry water and take shade breaks.

Eating out, shopping and etiquette

The marina promenade, The Walk and The Beach are lined with cafes and restaurants, and the malls in the area add indoor options for the hottest part of the day. Menus, prices and opening times change often, so check a restaurant's own page or app before you go and ask about service charges when you sit down. Our Dubai dining and restaurant guide explains how bills, tipping and reservations usually work.

Swimwear is fine on the sand, but cover up when you leave the beach for The Walk, the malls or the tram. Public displays of affection and loud behaviour can cause offence, and the beach is a shared family space, so use the bins and leave your spot as you found it. Our guide to Dubai's local customs and etiquette explains dress and behaviour in more detail.

If you are visiting during Ramadan, be aware that daytime eating and drinking arrangements in public places, and some opening hours, may differ, so check with venues before you go.

• Check menus, prices and opening times on the venue's own channels.
• Cover up when leaving the beach for streets, malls and transport.
• Respect the beach as a shared family space.

Families and accessibility

RTA lists several accessibility features on the Dubai Tram: contrasting tactile guidance paths for people with difficulty seeing, audible beeps and flashing lights when doors open and close, dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on all trams and lift access at station levels. On the water, RTA says the Dubai Ferry has space for two wheelchairs and the Dubai Water Taxi has a designated wheelchair area.

For families, the marine rules above are the main thing to plan around: bring ID for each child and expect children under 12 to wear a life jacket on board. On the beach, agree a meeting point in case you are separated, and keep younger children within arm's reach in the water.

Our accessible travel guide for people of determination covers accessible travel across the city in more detail, and our family travel guide suggests other outings for children across Dubai.

• Dubai Tram: tactile paths, door alerts, wheelchair spaces and lifts.
• Dubai Ferry and Water Taxi: designated wheelchair space.
• Agree a meeting point with children on the beach.

Emergencies and getting help

Save the emergency numbers before your visit. The Government of Dubai Media Office reported that Dubai Police asks the public to call 999 only for emergencies and to use 901 for non-urgent enquiries and police services. The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services lists 998 as its emergency number.

RTA says each tram and tram station has an emergency call box, that a dedicated tram police force enforces the rules, and that the tram has an integrated radio link with the emergency services. If you need help on the tram or at a station, use the call box or speak to staff.

For pharmacies, minor illnesses and what to do if you need a doctor, see our guide to health, pharmacies and emergencies in Dubai.

• 999: Dubai Police emergencies.
• 998: ambulance.
• 901: Dubai Police non-emergency line.

Sample half-day and full-day plans

Half day, cooler months: arrive by Metro and tram in the late afternoon, walk part of the marina promenade, take the water taxi to another stop, then walk through The Walk to The Beach for sunset. Have dinner nearby and return by tram and Metro.

Full day, cooler months: swim early at The Beach while the sand is still cool, have lunch indoors, rest during the warmest hours, then take the water taxi around the marina in the late afternoon and finish with an evening walk on the promenade or a visit to Bluewaters Island.

Summer: keep the beach to the early morning, spend the middle of the day indoors, and save the promenade walk for after sunset. Check the Journey Planner for your return journey before you set out, especially late in the evening.

• Half day: tram, promenade, water taxi, The Beach at sunset.
• Full day: morning swim, indoor midday, boat and evening walk.
• Summer: early beach, indoor afternoon, walk after dark.

Checklist before you go

A little preparation makes the day easier. Run through this list before you leave your hotel.

• Nol card with enough credit for Metro, tram and boats.
• Route planned in RTA's Journey Planner or the S'hail app.
• NCM marine forecast and weather warnings checked.
• Water, hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
• A cover-up for leaving the beach.
• ID for each child if you plan to use marine transport.
• 999, 998 and 901 saved in your phone.