La Mer Beach in Dubai

More than just a small bay to relax.

Only 10 minutes drive away from our hotel (the Millennium Plaza Hotel on Sheik Zayed Road) is the “La Mer Beach”. It is considered a little insider tip if you prefer a quiet bay instead of a long, crowded sandy beach. Actually we wanted to wait until it cools down a bit to go to the beach but yesterday we spontaneously went to La Mer Beach.

We took a cab for about 15 AED directly from the hotel to the beach. Or better said, to the access of the beach. The cab driver let us out at a small “promenade”. Arrived there we went directly into the first store and bought two towels. Unfortunately we are not allowed to take the towels from the hotel and of course we didn’t have any in our luggage. But that’s no problem, because there are more than enough stores to buy everything for the perfect beach day. From various water toys to swimwear to towels, flip flops and and.

We first walked around a bit in this small town and looked at everything a little bit. Right next to the stores is the Laguna Waterpark. It is full of exciting slides in all shapes, colors and variations. From the outside you can only see a small part of the waterpark. The great thing about this water park is that it is right by the sea. So you not only have a great view of the beach and the sea but also the possibility to end the day at sunset on the sandy beach.

The Laguna water park is by no means all that La Mer Beach or the area around it has to offer. On our way to the beach itself, we discovered several more water games for kids, as well as large bounce houses and slides.

The landscape of La Mer Beach

Around the small bay a small landscape with cafes, restaurants, stores and houses was built. These are all decorated in sandy colors, creating a relaxed atmosphere. There are also extra paths that lead you through this area. In between there are small ponds or lakes that invite you with their water fountains, stones and bridges to relax or take pictures.

Directly on the beach there are some palm trees, but they don’t provide much shade. There are also many small huts where you can change clothes and even take a shower after visiting the beach for a few coins. If you just want to take a shower, there are also free showers directly on the beach. These are designed in such a way that it looks like you are dumping a bucket of water over yourself. Also very good for taking some great photos.

Of course, we took advantage of that right away. A small warning: the water from the showers is rather hot than warm and not exactly refreshing. Nevertheless, it is very pleasant to shower off all the sand as well as the salt water. Behind a small wall, there is also the option of just hosing off your feet. Also with very warm water. :-D

The beach

The beach of La Mer Beaches does not offer much shade. Rather said, no shade at all. There is an area where you can rent sunbeds, umbrellas and towels for a fee. So you have at least some shade there. Since we were there in the afternoon, it was not worthwhile for us to rent a sunbed and so we settled on the only shady place on the beach. Behind a sign, which explains the rules of conduct of the beach :-D

On the beach itself there is then also the possibility of JetSki, Treetboot or even banana boat to drive. Here are even special areas marked in the water, so you can swim at the others without worry. We decided to just go for a little swim and still take photos.

The sea itself is calm, there are only small waves and so you can swim there in peace or just splash in the water. Who wants big waves and more action, is then unfortunately wrong here. The water is also very warm. I would estimate it has between 35–38°. Marc finds that totally good while I would have found a little refreshment in the sea also quite good. It’s a bit like going into a huge salty bathtub.

Photo shoot ?

A quiet beach, clear water, palm trees and even the Burj Khalifa in the background. That sounds like the perfect place to take tropical photos. Of course we unpacked our camera and started to take some pictures in the sea. Since everyone else around us also took numerous photos with their cell phones, we thought nothing more of it.

After a few minutes, however, we were made aware by the security that it was forbidden to take photos. I could understand if it is generally forbidden, since one has also quickly times other people in the background with photographed. But I would also have expected that there would be a notice or a prohibition sign somewhere. And since really everyone takes photos with his smartphone, I could not quite understand the ban. Maybe it was because of our camera, who knows.

But since we were done anyway, we packed the camera away again and relaxed a bit in the sea. But you can’t stand it that long, because the sun is still very strong in the afternoon. So after about 15 minutes we got out of the water again, took a shower — and took some more pictures — before we quickly took some more pictures on the beach.

The way back

Since there was really no shade there, we made our way back home. At a small lake with water fountains we stopped briefly and again unpacked the camera. Since before us a group of young men had taken photos there in the water and on the bridge, we assumed that it is allowed here. And since no one else was around, nothing spoke against it.

After a few minutes of shooting, however, a security guard approached us again and asked if we had a permission. Since we do not have such a thing, we had to deny. He was very friendly and said we could still just take a few photos. However, we should not go into the water, because it is not clean but dirty. The reason why you can’t walk through it with your feet then, I will probably never understand.

In order not to violate any rules, we have then but also directly packed the camera and have made us on the way back to the promenade. There we took a cab and went back to the hotel.

In retrospect, we assume that the security thought we would take professional photos and asked for our “work permission”. Since there is a special influencer visa here in Dubai, this theory is even quite conclusive — at least I think so. That would at least make sense. The next time we want to explain then that we are tourists and make the photos privately and not as work.

So then our first day at the beach came to an end. We definitely want to come here again. Then, however, only around 17.30–18.00 o’clock, so that we can enjoy the sunset there.