La Mer is a free, open-air beachfront on Jumeirah 1 with a public beach, cafes, restaurants and shops, best for a relaxed late-afternoon visit between November and April. It is about 10-15 minutes by taxi from Downtown, with no Metro station. It is lively and busy at weekends, hot in summer, and a poor choice if you want a quiet beach. This guide covers what is there, the beach rules, food, the waterpark, how to get there, and what to pair it with.
By SB Excursions · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026
Tour on this route: Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai — From $79 per jet ski, 30 minutes or 1 hour.
Is La Mer Dubai free to enter?
Yes. The beachfront, promenade and public beach are free to enter, and it is 10-15 minutes by taxi from Downtown. You pay for food, shopping and the waterpark. The beach follows Dubai Municipality's public beach rules, with lifeguards generally from sunrise to sunset.
This guide also answers:
- How do you get to La Mer from Downtown Dubai?
- What is the best time to visit La Mer?
- Can you go jet skiing at La Mer?
Five stops that go with La Mer
#1
Kite Beach
A long public beach where kitesurfers fill the sky and the Burj Al Arab sits on the horizon. It is a better choice than La Mer for walking, sport and food trucks, though shade is limited and the swimming zone is separate from the kite area. Check the flags and the lifeguard before you swim.
#2
Etihad Museum
A white curved pavilion that tells how the seven emirates came together as one country, next to the place where the union was signed. It is a ticketed, indoor visit, which makes it a good partner to a beach afternoon: go in the middle of a hot day, then walk the sand when the light softens.
#3
Jumeirah Mosque
One of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslims, on guided visits only and with modest dress required. Check the current times and price on the organiser's site, because both can change. It pairs naturally with a morning on the Jumeirah coast, ahead of lunch and an afternoon at La Mer.
#4
City Walk
An open-air street of shops, cafes and restaurants built around a central plaza, with The Green Planet indoor rainforest as its anchor. It is calmer than La Mer in the evening and better for rain or heat. Our City Walk guide has the details and the taxi times.
#5
The Burj Al Arab from a jet ski
Our guided jet ski ride is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, with a stop in front of the Burj Al Arab for photos and videos. Two riders share one jet ski at no extra cost, drivers must be 16 or older and passengers at least 5. It leaves from the harbour, not from La Mer.
La Mer in one minute
La Mer is a free, open-air beachfront on Jumeirah 1, with a public beach, cafes, restaurants and shops, and it works best from late afternoon into the evening between November and April. It is about 10-15 minutes by taxi from Downtown and The Dubai Mall, with no Metro station at the door. You do not need a ticket to walk it, and you pay only for what you eat, buy or ride.
It suits families, groups of friends and couples who want sea air and a meal in one place. It is a poor fit for anyone after a quiet beach, because weekends are busy and loud, and a poor choice in July and August, when the beach and the promenade are too hot to enjoy. Think of it as a sociable evening out beside the sea, not as a swimming destination.
What is there
La Mer is a managed leisure strip rather than a single attraction. The tenants change, so use the table as a guide to the kind of place it is, and check Google Maps or the venue for current opening times.
| What | What it is | Time to allow | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The beach | A public sandy beach on Jumeirah 1 with the sea in front and the promenade behind | 1-2 hours | Free to enter |
| Promenade and shops | A walkable strip of shops and street-level units, busiest in the evening | 1 hour | What you buy |
| Cafes and restaurants | A wide mix of casual and sit-down places, many with sea views | 1-2 hours | A meal or coffee |
| Laguna Waterpark | A ticketed waterpark on the beachfront; check whether it is open and the price | Half a day | Ticket price varies |
We could not confirm current waterpark prices, hours or season; check the official site before you plan around it.
The honest summary is that La Mer is more about atmosphere than sights. If you have only two evenings in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa with the Fountain and a sunset yacht come first. If you have a third, La Mer is a pleasant, easy one.
The beach: what to know before you swim
The beach is public, so Dubai Municipality's beach rules apply: swimwear on the sand and in the water, a cover-up as soon as you leave it, no alcohol, no pets, no litter and no topless sunbathing. Lifeguards generally work from sunrise to sunset, so swim only where a tower is staffed and the flag allows it, and stay out of the water at night unless a sign says otherwise. Our beach rules and safety guide explains the flags and the rules in detail.
Shade is limited, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water, and wear beach shoes if the sand is hot. In winter the sea is about 22°C, fine for a short swim, and in summer the sea is warm and the air is too hot at midday. The best beaches in Dubai guide compares La Mer with the other public beaches.
Eating at La Mer
The food is the main reason most people stay. Expect a wide range, from casual cafes to sit-down family restaurants and some more polished places, many with sea views. Prices follow the setting: expect tourist-district prices rather than cheap eats. Weekend evenings are the busiest, so book if you want a table at a set time, or eat early and walk the beach afterwards.
Alcohol is served only in licensed venues, so check before you order. During Ramadan, daytime opening hours and dining rules change, so check each venue before you go.
Laguna Waterpark, and the alternatives
La Mer has been home to a ticketed waterpark, Laguna. We could not confirm its current prices, hours or season from official pages, and reports differ, so check the official site before you plan a day around it. It is smaller than the big Dubai parks, so treat it as an afternoon rather than a full day.
For a full waterpark day with children, Dubai has bigger options. Our best water parks guide ranks them, and the Aquaventure vs Wild Wadi guide compares the two main choices. For a family beach day without a ticket, La Mer's free sand is the easy option.
Getting to La Mer
Take a taxi or ride-hailing. If you prefer rail, take the Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall or Business Bay and finish with a short taxi. Our taxi and Careem guide explains fares and apps.
| From | Best way | Time | Taxi cost (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown or Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall | Taxi | 10-15 minutes | AED 20-35 |
| Jumeirah, Kite Beach, Burj Al Arab | Taxi | 10-15 minutes | AED 15-30 |
| Dubai Marina or JBR | Taxi | 25-40 minutes | AED 60-90 |
| DXB airport | Taxi | 20-25 minutes | AED 40-60 |
Rough fares in normal traffic; evenings and weekends cost more and take longer.
Parking can be tight at peak times and the roads around the area are slow in the evening, so a taxi is less stressful than a hire car. Book your ride home before you finish your meal.
When to go, and a half-day plan
Go between November and April, from about 4 PM, and stay for dinner. The sea is warm enough for a short swim in the afternoon, the evening air is comfortable, and the promenade is at its liveliest. Avoid midday from May to September, and avoid weekend evenings if you hate crowds.
A half-day plan for the cooler months: the guided Jumeirah Mosque visit in the morning (check times), the Etihad Museum or lunch next, a rest at the hotel, then La Mer from 4 PM for the beach, a walk and dinner. The Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab guide maps the rest of the coast, and the month-by-month guide has the weather.
On the water with us: the jet ski ride
If you want the sea as well as the sand, our jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, or $140 for a full hour that continues to Atlantis on the Palm. An instructor rides in front, stops in front of the landmark and takes photos and videos that are sent to you afterwards. Two riders share one jet ski at no extra cost, so a family of four uses two.
Drivers must be 16 or older and passengers at least 5, and every rider needs an original passport or Emirates ID, not a copy or a photo on a phone. The meeting point is Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour on Jumeirah Road, next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, about 15 minutes by taxi from La Mer; it is not JBR, and there is no hotel pickup. Full prepayment confirms the slot, and you should arrive 20 minutes before it. See jet ski in Dubai for the limits.
For the evening, the Burj Khalifa is from $55 per person on a timed ticket with full prepayment, and the shared yacht tour in the Marina is from $32 per person for an hour.
FAQ
Is La Mer Dubai free to enter?
Yes. The beachfront, promenade and public beach are free to enter, and it is 10-15 minutes by taxi from Downtown. You pay for food, shopping and the waterpark. The beach follows Dubai Municipality's public beach rules, with lifeguards generally from sunrise to sunset.
How do you get to La Mer from Downtown Dubai?
By taxi or ride-hailing: about 10-15 minutes, roughly AED 20-35. There is no Metro station at the door, so take the Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall or Business Bay and a taxi from there if you prefer rail.
Can you swim at La Mer?
Yes, on the public beach, in daylight, while lifeguards are on duty and the flag allows it. Do not swim when the red flag is up or after dark unless a sign allows it. Cover up when you leave the sand.
What is the best time to visit La Mer?
November to April, from about 4 PM into the evening. In summer it is too hot at midday, and weekend evenings are the busiest.
Is La Mer good for families?
Yes, for an easy afternoon: free sand, a promenade, family restaurants and room to walk. It is busy and loud at weekends, shade is limited, and children need to stay with an adult near the water.
Can you go jet skiing at La Mer?
Our jet ski ride does not leave from La Mer. It leaves from Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour on Jumeirah Road, about 15 minutes by taxi. It is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, with full prepayment, an original passport or Emirates ID for each rider, and no hotel pickup.
Is La Mer better than JBR or Kite Beach?
It is more of an evening out than a beach day. JBR is busier with more facilities, Kite Beach is longer and sportier, and La Mer sits between them as a food-and-promenade stop. Choose by what you want to do beside the sea.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai
It is the Burj Al Arab from sea level, without a licence or previous experience: the instructor rides in front, stops at the landmark for photos and sends you the files after the ride, and two people share one jet ski at no extra cost. The 60-minute ride continues to Atlantis on the Palm, and a 2-hour ride is arranged on request for groups of 4 jet skis or more.
- Duration
- 30 minutes or 1 hour
- Area
- Jumeirah, Dubai
- Format
- Guided jet ski
- Best for
- couples, friends and first-time riders who want the Burj Al Arab from the water
From $79 per jet ski Full prepayment
View tour
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Kite Beach — MaryJaneB, CC BY-SA 4.0, Etihad Museum — Lxs, CC BY 4.0, Jumeirah Mosque — Pmk58, CC BY-SA 4.0, City Walk — Lyn972, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).