Bluewaters Island: Dubai's Sparkling Gem Off the JBR Coast
April 25, 2025
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Welcome to Bluewaters Island, one of Dubai's most talked-about man-made island destinations, sparkling just off the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) coastline 
[2]
[18]
[11]. Think of it as a unique blend where luxurious city living meets relaxed seaside vibes 
[10]. Developed by Meraas and officially opened in November 2018, this spot quickly became a major tourist hotspot, designed to pull in millions of visitors each year [11][2]
[5]
[40]. It’s more than just an island; it's a carefully crafted mix of upscale homes, shops, hotels, and entertainment [11][2]
[3][40]. Ready to explore? We'll dive into the incredible engineering behind it, check out the attractions (including the latest on the famous Ain Dubai wheel), see where you can stay or live, and figure out the best ways to get there [11][2]
[9]
[6][5]
[20].
Engineering an Island: How Bluewaters Was Built
So, how do you build an island from scratch? Bluewaters Island is a testament to impressive modern engineering, built entirely on land reclaimed from the sea, much like its famous neighbour, Palm Jumeirah [2]
[34][18]
[27]. Meraas brought in the Dutch experts Van Oord, the same team behind the Palm, to handle the massive task of dredging and reclamation [2][18]. Imagine huge dredgers pulling up sand from the Persian Gulf seabed – over 4 million cubic meters of it, in fact [18][34][27]. This sand was then precisely placed using GPS technology and compacted, while nearly 1 million cubic meters of rock were used to protect the new landmass from the waves [18][34].
This multi-billion dirham project, estimated at AED 6 billion including Ain Dubai, officially kicked off construction in May 2013 [2]. It involved a host of major players: Van Oord for reclamation, and companies like Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Starneth, WSP, Mammoet, and POMA heavily involved in constructing the iconic Ain Dubai wheel [11][2]
[4]
[23]
[37]
[31]
[21]. For the residential buildings, designed by 10 Design, a clever engineering solution called the 'podium' car park was devised [5][18]. Since building deep basements was tricky on reclaimed land, this podium structure provided parking while also lifting the ground floor apartments 10 meters up, giving residents better views and privacy [5][18]. Even fire safety was meticulously planned, using materials like Isolatek Type 300 and 400 on various structures [23].
Ain Dubai: The Story of the World's Tallest Wheel
You can't talk about Bluewaters without mentioning its giant centerpiece: Ain Dubai, which translates to "Dubai Eye" [11][2][4][5][31]. When it opened, this colossal structure soared 250 meters (820 ft) high, making it the world's tallest and largest observation wheel – dwarfing giants like the High Roller in Las Vegas and standing almost twice as tall as the London Eye [2][4]
[8][9]
[13][6]
[17][21]. Building it was an epic feat led by Hyundai E&C and Starneth, using a staggering 11,200 tonnes of steel (that's 33% more than the Eiffel Tower!) [2][4][23][31][18][37]
[22]. Just lifting the massive hub and spindle assembly required two gigantic cranes [37][22]. It was engineered to handle serious conditions, including earthquakes and strong winds [22].
When it was operating, Ain Dubai offered a 38-minute ride in one of its 48 high-tech capsules, each capable of holding around 40 people 
[7][2][4][13]
[15][37][21][31][18]. Passengers enjoyed breathtaking 360-degree views stretching across the Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and even the distant Burj Khalifa [7][2][4][13][15][37]. There were even special VIP capsules for private events [31]. Ain Dubai launched spectacularly on October 21, 2021, drawing huge crowds [7][4][13]. But then, things took an unexpected turn. In March 2022, it suddenly closed for what was initially called "periodic enhancements" [7][4]
[30][17][13]. Reopening dates were announced and then repeatedly pushed back, until April 2023 when the closure became indefinite, "until further notice," with no official detailed reason given [7][4][30][13][17]. Interestingly, in late 2024, there was some buzz about a possible reopening – the wheel was seen turning occasionally, new structures appeared nearby, and the lights came back on after Ramadan [30][17]. However, as of late 2024, the official word remained: still closed, but promising exciting offers when it eventually reopens [30].
Beyond the Wheel: Entertainment & Attractions on Bluewaters
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can check out:
•
You might also stumble upon the Hard Rock Café Rock Shop for music merch or Vinyl, a cool listening bar 
[12].
Living and Staying: Residences, Hotels & Shopping
Bluewaters Residences: Fancy waking up to sea views? The residential part features 10 sleek, mid-rise buildings (up to 15 floors) housing 698 apartments (from 1 to 4 bedrooms), plus 4 exclusive 5-bedroom penthouses and 17 townhouses [11][2][5][15][20]
[16][34]
[39]
[1]. Think glass fronts, balconies, minimalist interiors with premium finishes, and stunning views [11][15][16][39][20][1]. Residents get access to gyms, pools, gardens, sports courts, and play areas [5]
[33][39][1]
[28]. It’s definitely an upscale lifestyle, reflected in the premium price tags, attracting those looking for luxury waterfront living [11]
[36][20]
[29].
Banyan Tree Dubai: The island's main hotel offering is the five-star Banyan Tree Dubai, which took over from the previous Caesars Palace branding in November 2023 [2][3]
[32]
[19]. Expect stylish rooms and suites, many with balconies offering sea or island views [32][19]
[24]
[25]. Amenities are top-notch: multiple pools, a 500m private beach, a fitness center, kids' clubs, the award-winning Qua Spa, and fantastic dining options like Demon Duck by Alvin Leung [3][32]
[14][19][25][29]
[35][24]. Cove Beach club and The Rotunda theatre are also part of the resort complex [14][24].
The Wharf: This is the island's lifestyle retail hub, planned to feature around 130-200 shops and restaurants clustered near Ain Dubai [11][15][10][2][8][20][34]. You'll find a mix of boutiques, unique concept stores, and a diverse range of eateries – from fine dining spots like Alici and Clay to casual cafes and essential services like supermarkets [2][3][5][8][15][20][10][28][40][12][35][14][19][24]
[38][36]. The area is designed with pleasant pedestrian boulevards like Central Avenue and North Walk, courtyards, and shaded spaces, making it perfect for a stroll [15][10].
Getting There & Around: Connectivity and Location
Here’s how you can reach it:
•
By Road: A dedicated bridge links the island directly to Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Dubai's main highway. This means easy drives to key areas: Downtown Dubai is about 20 minutes away, Dubai Marina is just 7-10 minutes, and the airports (DXB and DWC) are roughly a 30-minute trip [11][5][9][15][20][1][28]
[26].
•
On Foot: The Wharf Link is a cool 265-meter pedestrian bridge connecting Bluewaters directly to The Beach at JBR [11][3][5][9][15][20][24][26][1][28]. It’s a lovely walk and integrates the island perfectly with the JBR beachfront buzz [3][26][28]. Plus, from the JBR side, you can access the Dubai Metro [26][38].
Visiting Bluewaters Island: Quick Tips & Summary
So, what's the takeaway? Bluewaters Island offers a fascinating mix: incredible engineering, the (currently closed but still iconic) Ain Dubai wheel, fun attractions like Madame Tussauds, a luxurious hotel and residences, great dining, and that fantastic pedestrian bridge connecting it to JBR [2][11][3][8][12][35][6][28][14][24][5]. It manages to blend a sense of peaceful island escape with the energy of urban Dubai [10]. Whether you're looking for entertainment, a fancy meal, a luxurious stay, or just a scenic walk with stunning views, Bluewaters delivers [3][9][20]. Just remember to check the latest status if you're hoping to ride Ain Dubai!
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