Dubai Marina is a high-rise waterfront district built around a marina on Dubai’s coast, between Dubai Media City and Jebel Ali. It is known for Marina Walk, a promenade of about 7km along both sides of the water, and sits right next to Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and its public beach. Sobha Realty and DMCC stations on the Dubai Metro Red Line connect to the Dubai Tram, which serves the area.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | On the coast between Dubai Media City and Jebel Ali, about 20km south-west of the centre |
| Metro | Sobha Realty (R36) and DMCC (R37), Red Line |
| Metro–tram interchanges | Sobha Realty with Dubai Marina tram station; DMCC with Jumeirah Lakes Towers tram station |
| Marina Walk | About 7km along both sides of the marina; free and open at all hours |
| Nearest beach | The public beach opposite JBR; swimming from sunrise to sunset |
| Swimming in the marina itself | Not suitable: it is a working waterway used by boats |
What is there to do in Dubai Marina?
Marina Walk
Marina Walk, also called Marina Promenade, is a palm-lined footpath that runs for about 7km along both sides of the marina. Visit Dubai, the official tourism guide, notes that almost every tower in the area is a short walk from it, and that it is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops. It is free to walk, open at all hours and popular with joggers and cyclists early in the morning and around dusk. Four bridges cross the marina.
Dubai Marina Mall and Pier 7
Dubai Marina Mall sits in the middle of the district with shops, restaurants and a cinema. Next to it, Pier 7 is a seven-storey tower with a restaurant on each level overlooking the water.
On the water
Boat tours, fishing and diving trips and private yacht charters leave from along the promenade. For public transport by water, the Dubai Ferry links Dubai Marina Mall with Dubai Water Canal and Al Shindagha, and a water bus with four stops crosses the marina and runs to Bluewaters Island.
JBR and the beach
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is the beachfront neighbourhood beside Dubai Marina; moving between the two is as easy as crossing the street. Its main attractions are:
- The Walk at JBR: a free outdoor promenade of about 1.7km with shops, restaurants and cafes.
- The Beach, JBR: a waterfront complex beside the sand with restaurants, a cinema and a 600m running track.
- The public beach: free to use, with lifeguards, changing facilities and showers. Swimming is allowed from sunrise to sunset; some sections are used by hotels.
- Bluewaters Island: reachable on foot from JBR via a footbridge.
For the rules that apply on Dubai’s public beaches, including flags and night-swimming beaches, see Dubai’s public beaches.
Getting to Dubai Marina
Metro and tram
Take the Red Line to Sobha Realty (R36) or DMCC (R37). RTA lists these as the two Metro stations that interchange with Dubai Tram: Sobha Realty with the Dubai Marina tram station and DMCC with the Jumeirah Lakes Towers tram station. The tram runs along Al Sufouh Road and Jumeirah Beach Road and also links to the Palm Monorail. Tram stops in the area include Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Marina Towers and Jumeirah Beach Residence 1 and 2.
Dubai Metro stations open 05:00 to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 05:00 to 01:00 on Friday, and 08:00 to midnight on Sunday (RTA timetable). Fares are paid with a nol card; see RTA for current fares.
Bus and car
RTA bus 8 runs from Deira to Dubai Marina along Jumeirah Beach Road, and route 84 runs from Al Quoz. By car, the marina is reached from Sheikh Zayed Road or King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street; parking is limited in parts of the area, and Visit Dubai suggests parking at a Metro station car park and continuing by Metro instead.
From the airport
Both Dubai International Airport stations, Airport Terminal 1 and Airport Terminal 3, are on the Red Line, so you can ride through to Sobha Realty or DMCC. For door-to-door options see DXB airport transfers and Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Staying in Dubai Marina
Visit Dubai describes a wide range of hotels in Dubai Marina, many with views thanks to the towers, plus hotel apartments for longer stays and budget-friendly options. Compare it with other districts in where to stay in Dubai, and see how official ratings work in 5-star hotels in Dubai.
FAQ
Which Metro station is closest to Dubai Marina?
Sobha Realty (R36) and DMCC (R37) on the Red Line. Both interchange with Dubai Tram, which stops around the marina and at JBR.
Can you swim in Dubai Marina?
No. The marina is a working waterway with boats and yachts. The nearest place to swim in the sea is the public beach opposite JBR.
Is the beach at JBR free?
Yes. The public parts of JBR beach are free. Some sections are used by hotels, where sunbathing is for guests or paying visitors.
When can you swim at JBR beach?
From sunrise to sunset, according to Visit Dubai. The beach itself stays open to visitors at other times, but swimming is not allowed after sunset.
How long is Marina Walk?
About 7km in total, running along both sides of the marina.
Is Dubai Marina the same as JBR?
No. JBR is a separate neighbourhood on the beach side of Dubai Marina, but the two are side by side and easy to explore together.
Verified from official sources — last checked 2 October 2026. Details can change; confirm with the operator before you travel.
- Visit Dubai (DET) – A guide to Dubai Marina
- Visit Dubai (DET) – Dubai Marina Walk
- Visit Dubai (DET) – Jumeirah Beach Residence guide
- Visit Dubai (DET) – The Walk at JBR
- Visit Dubai (DET) – The Beach, JBR
- RTA – Metro & tram stations map (via dubai_metro.json)
- RTA – A guide to the Dubai Metro and Tram (brochure, undated, pre-2020)
- RTA – About Dubai Tram
- RTA – Timetable (via dubai_metro.json)