One of the most famous buildings in Dubai is without doubt the 12 billion dollar island of Palm Jumeirah. This artificial island is the largest artificial island in the world and has the shape of a palm tree. The world famous island has put Dubai on the map and is one of the attractions that you should have seen during your vacation in Dubai!
On the palm island there are around 2000 apartments and 1000 luxury villas. Beside, there are a number of marinas, two shopping centers, dozens of restaurants, kilometers of beaches and various luxury hotels and resorts on Palm Jumeirah Island. The villas are located on the leaves of the palm and the apartment complexes can be found on the trunk of the palm.
On the trunk of the palm you can also find the two shopping malls of the island. At one of these shopping centers, the Nakheel Mall which is currently in development, the Palm Tower is under contruction. The Palm Tower is the highest tower on the island and will get one of the highest infinity pools in the world. The pool will be at a height of 210 meters above the ground. There will also be a viewing platform in the tower at a height of 240 meters which will be open for the public.
8th wonder of the world
The island is also seen by some as the 8th wonder of the world and is so large that it is easy to see from space. The island has a crown with 16 branches plus a trunk which is surrounded by an 11 km long circular breakwater. Thanks to the construction of the palm island, the total coastline of Dubai has increased by 72 km. The palm island is 5 by 5 km and the total area is comparable to 800 football fields. The island is connected to the mainland by a 300 meter long bridge and a monorail. The circular breakwater around the palm can be reached via a tunnel that runs under the sea.
Palm Jumeirah is the first and smallest island of the three Palm islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) which are minded in Dubai. Due to the financial crisis, the construction of the last palm has been postponed and the construction of the apartments, hotels and villas on the second palm island has been shut down for years. When the construction of all three palm islands has finally been completed, the coastline of Dubai will have increased by 520 km.
Hotels on Palm Jumeirah
On the palm island there are several hotels and resorts. With this hotels end resorts the island has become a favorite destination for vacationers who want to enjoy sun, sea, beach and luxury. The best-known hotel on the island is without a doubt the luxurious 5-star Atlantis The Palm hotel. Besides this majestic hotel, there are still a large number of hotels and resorts on the island, mostly hotels in the five star category.
Most hotels are located just like the Atlantis hotel mainly on the outer ring of the island which lies around the palm tree as a breakwater. Some hotels can also be found on the trunk of the island, but they can be counted on one hand. There are no hotels on the palm leaves of the island, here only private villas are available.
Atlantis The Palm hotel
At the tip of the Palm Jumeirah is the fairytale 5 star hotel Atlantis The Palm. The 1500-room hotel is entirely based on the theme Atlantis, the legendary lost city whose existence has never been demonstrated to date. During the construction of this hotel, both in the interior and in the exterior, there was an eye for beautiful details. All rooms of the hotel have all imaginable luxuries and offer a beautiful panoramic view of the sea and the palm island.
Unlike many other 5 star hotels, the Atlantis The Palm hotel can also be partly visited if you are not a guest at the hotel. For example, you can pay a visit to the magnificent aquariums of The Lost Chambers in the hotel or admire the beautiful interior in the public area of the hotel which is free to visit.
More information can be found on our page about the Atlantis The Palm hotel. Do you want to spend the night in the fairytale Atlantis hotel? Check Booking.com for the current room rates and availability of the rooms.
Aquaventure Waterpark
One of the biggest attractions on the Palm Jumeirah island is the Aquaventure Waterpark. This huge water park is part of the Atlantis resort and is right next to the imposing hotel. The water park is the largest water park in the Middle East and ideal for a fun day out in Dubai.
Thanks to the many swimming pools and water slides, Aquaventure guarantees an entire day of swimming and water fun. On the area of 42 hectares you can find a large number of attractions, including The Rapids, a water course with rapids and curves. You can take the course with a 1 or 2 person tire. There is also the possibility to glide through the base of the sharks by a 75-meter-high slide. Of course, the sharks are safe behind a glass window. Many swimming pools, playgrounds and rapids can be found in the Aquaventure water park.
Tickets Aquaventure Waterpark
For guests of Atlantis The Palm entrance to the water park is free. For normal visitors the costs are 92 dollars for people aged 6 years and older, children under 5 pay 75 dollars. Children under the age of 2 are free. Towel rental is possible, the costs are 8 dollars and lockers can be rented for 11 dollars. A combination of towel and safe costs 14 dollars. You can easily buy your tickets for the Aquaventure Waterpark online at the GetYourGuide website.
Dolphin Bay – swimming with dolphins in Dubai
In the Aquaventure water park is Dolphin Bay, a park where you can swim with dolphins. Access to Dolphin Bay is only possible with a separate ticket. If you want to swim with the dolphins, this is your chance. Prices for meeting the dolphins start at 269 dollars per person. More information about meeting end swimming with dolphins at the Atlantis hotel can be found on our swimming with dolphin page.
Palm Jumeirah Monorail
On the trunk of the palm island a monorail was constructed with several stations on the island near the Atlantis hotel and The Pointe Mall. The start station of the monorail is located at The Gateway Towers and is easy to reach with the Dubai Tram, which has a good connection with the Dubai metro.
If you want to visit the Atlantis The Palm hotel then a ride with the monorail is definitely recommended. Because of the high position of the monorail you have a beautiful view of the Palm island during a ride on the trunk of the island. A return ticket to Atlantis The Palm costs 30 dirhams per person, about 8 dollars.
If you do not want to take the metro and the Dubai Tram to the monorail station, you can also take the taxi to the starting point of the monorail at Gateway Towers. Often the taxi driver understands you perfectly if you say monorail station Gateway or monorail Palm Jumeirah.
More information about the Palm Monorail, the stations, the route and the timetable can be found on our Palm Jumeirah monorail page.
Cruise along the Palm Jumeirah island
You can of course discover the palm island from the island itself, but you can see the island at its very best from the water. By a Palm Jumeirah cruise along the island you get a unique view of the many hotels on the island including Atlantis, you see the hundreds of villas on the palm leaves and you also get a nice view of the impressive skyline of the Dubai Marina. You can also see the largest Ferris wheel in the world, the Ain Dubai, from the water as you sail past the Bluewaters Island.
There are several cruises to book along the palm island with and without lunch or barbecue and with a luxury yacht or a normal tour boat. Check this page for the complete overview.
