Dubai helicopter tour jebel ali views

Dubai helicopter tour jebel ali views

Dubai helicopter tour photo friendly

The moment the helicopter skims off the pad and tilts toward the coast, Dubai rearranges itself. Streets flatten to lines of light, towers become chess pieces, and the sea pulls a band of silver tight around the city's waist. On a Dubai helicopter tour focused on Jebel Ali views, that sensation of recalibration is constant-every few seconds the landscape shifts from gloss to grit to geometry, revealing the diverse heart of a metropolis that is as industrial as it is aspirational.


Most routes that include Jebel Ali trace a graceful arc along the shoreline. First comes the familiar spectacle: the pale sweep of the beach, the curve of Palm Jumeirah, and the gleam of Dubai Marina rising like a canyon from the sand. Ain Dubai, the world's towering observation wheel, anchors Bluewaters Island with an engineer's confidence. But the narrative changes as the helicopter presses southwest. The city's glitter gives way to purposeful lines and angles: container stacks in disciplined rows, cranes standing like steel herons along the quay. In minutes, you're over one of Earth's great man-made harbors, and the scale is stunning.


From above, Jebel Ali Port is a study in order and motion. Container ships nose along jade-green channels cut with mathematical precision; tugboats etch white punctuation across the water. Dubai helicopter tour birthday surprise The color palette is unexpectedly beautiful-rust-red hulls, cobalt cargo boxes, concrete piers shading from bone to charcoal. What seems purely functional at ground level becomes artful in the air, a living infographic of global trade moving in real time. On clearer days, the horizon is a storyboard: tankers waiting offshore, the industrial backbone of Jebel Ali Free Zone behind the quays, and the pale stripe of desert reaching beyond it all.


Beyond the docks, a more delicate picture emerges. The coastline here is fringed with low-slung dunes and pocket coves, and the protected Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary lies tucked into the shoreline like a secret. From altitude it looks like watercolor-shallow lagoons, sandbars, hints of seagrass, and the occasional stippling of birdlife. It is a quiet reminder that Dubai's advance into the sea has always had a counterpoint in what the sea and shore still claim for themselves.


On the horizon, another emblem of Dubai's imagination comes into view: the outline of Palm Jebel Ali. For years it was more myth than destination, a sketch on the water, a promise paused. Seen today, especially during a long coastal circuit, its branching geometry is unmistakable, turning the Gulf into graph paper. It sits between port and open sea like a thesis statement-industry on one side, leisure on the other, with design knitting them together.


To the landward side, the helicopter reveals a checkerboard of ambition. The broad sweep of highways ties the port to the vast logistics districts inland. Dubai helicopter tour dubai creek views . Expo City's circular motif peeks out beyond the dunes, a memory of a world fair that rewrote a patch of desert. On very clear days you may trace runways at Al Maktoum International Airport, drawn like parallel scars on the sand, hinting at a future scale that could rival any hub. The camera loves these contrasts. Dubai helicopter tour corporate Where else can you frame the curve of a palm-shaped island against an armada of cranes and then swing the lens to a wilderness of pale gold dunes within the same minute?


Helicopter tours that push this far down the coast tend to be deliberate about light and clarity. In winter, the air is crisp; the Arabian Gulf turns a deep, glassy aquamarine and the details on deck-people, pallets, painted numbers-snap into focus. In summer, haze softens the edges, but sunrise and late afternoon can bathe the port in amber and fold long shadows under the cranes, turning commerce into sculpture. If you're chasing photographs, a polarizing lens helps tame the glare, and shooting slightly oblique to the window reduces reflections. Stillness is your friend: let the helicopter do the moving and wait for the frame to find its rhythm.


There is also a certain human-scale drama that a Dubai helicopter tour with Jebel Ali views captures better than any ground vantage. You see the choreography-pilots guiding vessels, dock crews dispatching boxes with millimeter accuracy, the constant negotiation between sea and shoreline.

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It is a portrait of labor and logistics, but it is also unmistakably Dubai: engineered, scaled up, and designed with a kind of unapologetic clarity about purpose.


If you begin or end near the city's iconic stretch, the contrast is satisfying. The sails of Burj Al Arab flare white; the spine of Sheikh Zayed Road marches through the skyscrapers; the downtown spike of Burj Khalifa needles the sky. Then, in a few minutes, it all recedes and the port expands beneath you-two pages from the same book turning under a rotor's steady hum. The flight becomes less a tour than a thesis about place: this is a city that keeps its poetry in its infrastructure as well as its skyline.


Practicalities matter, too. Operators that include Jebel Ali typically run longer routes; the distance demands it. They fly certified helicopters with noise-canceling headsets, and pilots provide a running commentary that balances facts with landmarks. Weather and air traffic control shape the exact path on any given day, so think in arcs, not absolutes. Window seats are prized. Dark clothing reduces reflections for photos. And if sustainability is on your mind, ask about shared flights or carbon offset options-many operators offer them.


In the end, the appeal of a Dubai helicopter tour taking in Jebel Ali views is simple: it stitches together narratives that rarely share a frame. Leisure and logistics. Nature and design. A city forever in draft and yet impressively legible from the air. Dubai helicopter tour vip package You step out of the helicopter hearing the blades wind down, and the ground feels different-more comprehensible, more earned. The memory that lingers isn't just of the port or the palm or the sparkle of the sea. It's of a place that chooses scale as its language and tells its story best when you read it from above.

 

The World Islands (Dubai)
View of the World in 2010
Geography
Location United Arab Emirates
Coordinates 25°13′00″N 55°10′00″E / 25.21667°N 55.16667°E / 25.21667; 55.16667
Archipelago The World
Length 9 km (5.6 mi)
Width 6 km (3.7 mi)
Administration
United Arab Emirates
View of The World from the Burj Khalifa
The development's logo

The World Islands (Arabic: جزر العالم, romanized: Juzur al-Ālam) are an archipelago of small artificial islands constructed in the shape of a world map, located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] The World Islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters and are one of several artificial island developments in the emirate.[1] The World's developer is Nakheel Properties. Construction was done by two Dutch joint-venture specialist companies, Van Oord and Boskalis, who also created the Palm Jumeirah.

Construction of the 300 islands began in 2003, before being halted due to the 2008 financial crisis.[2] Though 60% of the islands were sold to private contractors in 2008, development on most of the project has not started.[3] As of July 2012, Lebanon Island was completed and was the only island that had so far been developed commercially, being used for private corporate events and public parties. As of late 2013, only two of the islands had been developed. In January 2014, Kleindienst Group announced the launch of "the Heart of Europe" project.[4] By February 2014, JK Properties, one of Kleindienst Group's brands, announced that the project was "well underway".[5] The first of these series of islands will be Europe, Sweden, and Germany, with development led by Kleindienst Group.

The World Project

[edit]

Islands in the project range from 1.4 to 4.2 hectares (3.5 to 10.4 acres) in area.[1] Distances between islands average 100 metres (110 yd); they are constructed from 321 million cubic metres of sand and 386 million tons of rock.[1] Designed by Creative Kingdom Dubai, the development is an area that covers 6 by 9 kilometres (3.2 by 4.9 nmi) and is surrounded by an oval-shaped breakwater island. Roughly 232 km (144 mi) of shoreline has been created. The World's overall development costs were estimated at $13 billion CAD in 2005.[citation needed]

The archipelago consists of seven sets of islands, representing the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Oceania.[6] Each artificial island is named after its representative country, landmark, or region, such as France,[7] California,[8] Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest,[9] Australia,[10] New Mexico,[11] Upernavik,[12] Buenos Aires,[13] New York,[14] Mexico,[15] Saint Petersburg,[16] São Paulo, and India.[17]

History

[edit]

The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Al Maktoum,[18] and dredging began four months later.[18] By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, with 20 being bought in the first four months of 2007.[1][18] On 10 January 2008, the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago.[18] As of July 2012, a second island, the Lebanon Island (1.5 hectares, or 3.7 acres and 482.21 metres of perimeter) was developed and was 'the only island that has so far been developed commercially, is used for private corporate events and public parties'.[19]

Difficulties

[edit]

The Times reported in September 2009 that work on the World had been suspended due to the effects of the 2008 financial crisis.[20][21] Nakheel denied 2010 reports that the islands were sinking into the sea as wholly inaccurate.[22] Despite the denial, The Daily Telegraph reported in January 2011 that an independent company, Penguin Marine, provided verification on the erosion of the islands and the silting of the passageways between the islands.[23] Due to financial and technical problems, Penguin Marine, contracted to provide transportation to the archipelago, attempted to get out of the annual fees of $1.6 million paid to Nakheel properties.[23]

Until early 2012, only one of the islands had been occupied by a building (a show home),[2] and commercial or residential properties were not being constructed on any of the other islands. Property prices in the Emirates had fallen 58% from their peak in the fourth quarter of 2008.[24] The world economic recovery from the Great Recession resulted in a rebound for the Dubai real estate market: it was reported that "residential prices [in Dubai] rose by 17.9% from August 2012 to 2013, while rents soared by 14.9% in the same period".[25]

Purchase and development plans

[edit]
The World 2010 (aerial view)

The World was supposed to be serviced by four major transportation hubs linked by waterways. Land parcels were supposedly zoned for various uses: estate, mid-density, high density, resorts, and commercial.[26]

The plan was for utilities to be routed underwater, with pumping stations at each of the hubs pumping fresh water to the islands. Power was to be supplied by the Dubai grid and distributed through underwater cables. However, as of May 2025, no cables had been laid, and developers had to provide their own power using diesel generators. Wastewater and refuse systems are an individual concern for each island.[26]

A show house island for prospective buyers

Nakheel Group is itself further developing a resort named Coral Island, covering over 20 islands that make up the North American part of the World. The low-rise development will include a marina and hotel village.[27] The second largest confirmed development is the purchase of 14 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand by Investment Dar of Kuwait. The islands are being developed as a resort named OQYANA.[28]

The Irish business consortium Larionovo had plans to develop the Ireland island into an Irish-themed resort.[29] The plans included a large internal marina, apartments and villas, a gym, hotel, and an Irish-themed pub. In July 2007, it was announced that the island would feature a recreation of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. However, on 25 November 2008, a provisional liquidator was appointed for Larionovo. As of October 2022, this has not happened.[30]

In April 2008, Salya Corporation announced that it had acquired the islands of Finland and Brunei and planned to develop them into fashion-themed resorts. Salya spent about Dh800 million (US$218 million) to purchase the islands and plans to spend a further Dh2.4 billion (US$654 million) on development. Brunei Island will be turned into a Fashion TV resort and Finland Island into a fashion community called FTV palace.[31]

Safi Qurashi[32] at the head of Premier, and his business partner Mustafa Nagri, paid an estimated US$64 million for the 4.5-hectare (11-acre) piece of land; he was later convicted for non-payment of cheques and sentenced to seven years in jail.[33] However, on appeal, he was later found not guilty and released from prison in July 2012, when he was declared innocent of two of the three charges.[34][35]

Josef Kleindienst and his firm JK Properties are developing the Heart of Europe, a collection of seven islands (Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, Main Europe, Switzerland, and Monaco) in the European section of the World, into an island luxury resort.[36] It is meant to create a fully immersive European experience, with outdoor snow[37] and stores accepting only the Euro as a currency.[38] It was set to open in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[39]

In June 2020, a street called Raining Street was being built as part of the Heart of Europe project, with plans to create artificial rainfall once the outdoor temperature exceeds 27 degrees Celsius, with the objective to make a close copy of southern European climate.[40]

In December 2022, it was announced that the first hotel within the project, Cote d'Azur Monaco, had opened.[41]

Timeline of construction

[edit]
Undeveloped islands on 1 May 2007
Undeveloped islands on 11 April 2015
  • May 2003: The World development was announced by Nakheel, total completion scheduled for 2008. It was initially to have 200 islands and an area of 5,600,000 square metres (60,000,000 sq ft).[42]
  • February 2004: It was announced that the World would comprise 260 islands, and its area would be 6 km by 9 km, with an area of 23–83,613 square metres (250–900,000 sq ft) for each island, with 50–100 m (160–330 ft) of water between each island.[42]
  • August 2004: It was announced that land reclamation would cost AED 7.3 billion ($2 billion).[42]
  • April 2005: Sand dredging 55 percent complete, 88 islands completed.[42]
  • 30 March 2006: Richard Branson appeared at a media conference on the Great Britain island. However, this was to announce direct London-to-Dubai flights by Virgin Atlantic and was not related to his investing in the project.[43]
  • December 2006: The World reclamation 90 percent complete.[42]
  • October 2007: Nakheel announced the sale of Ireland and Shanghai in October 2007.[42]
  • January 2008: The World breakwater is completed.[42]
  • 19 February 2008: Cinnovation Group acquired a 37,000-square-metre (400,000 sq ft) island as part of a project valued at $200 million USD. Guest and residential villas and a hospitality complex are planned.[44]
Taken from the International Space Station in 2010
Taken from the Hodoyoshi-1 satellite in 2016
Taken from the International Space Station in 2022
  • 25 February 2008: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre announced that it will establish a 6,000-square-metre (65,000 sq ft) pearling and marine entertainment center in association with Paspaley Pearling Corporation. It will be located on an island in the Antarctic region of the World.[45]
  • September 2008: Dubai's Limitless announced plans to develop a $161 million USD wellness resort on an island in "Siberia". Pearl Dubai paid US$27.2 million for a 150,000-square-metre (1,600,000 sq ft) island nearby.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: Turkey Island was bought by MNG Holding in June 2008 for US$19 million.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: China's Zhongzhou International announced that it will be developing a hotel resort on Shanghai island.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: Nakheel said 70 percent of the World had been sold.[42]
  • October 2009: An Emirates Business report on 13 October 2009 stated that two islands were sold in July and August 2009.[42]
  • December 2009: Dubai-based Kleindienst Group said they would start construction of the Heart of Europe in early 2010. Islands include Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, Sweden, and Switzerland.[42]
  • January 2010: On 28 January 2010, Emirates Business reported that Major Trade had started development of their projects on an island in the Greenland area, a villa and hotel resort.[42]
  • 23 February 2010: Kleindienst Group started work on the Germany island of the World.[47]
  • 17 July 2012: The Royal Island Beach Club opened on Lebanon Island.
  • 6 May 2013: Nakheel announced that an out-of-court settlement had been reached between itself and Kleindienst Group, allowing construction on "The Heart of Europe" to resume.[48]
  • 10 June 2013: Construction began on "Taiwan".[49]
  • 2 July 2013: Nakheel announced that settlements "with São Paulo Development Ltd for São Paulo Island and a GCC investor for the purchase of Nord Island", totaling "AED 185 million", along with the earlier settlement with Kleindienst Group (valued at AED 622 million), have "put The World back on the map".[50]
The World islands map, annotated with existing developments
  • 10 December 2013: Nakheel announced plans to connect the islands with a road.[51]
  • January 2014: Kleindienst Group's JK Properties announced that "work has commenced on The Heart of Europe".[52]
  • January 2014: Website "The Heart of Europe" publishes monthly construction updates for the project.[53]
  • February 2014: JK Properties announced that the "Heart of Europe" islands construction is "well underway".[54]
  • 7 December 2016: The Heart of Europe project makes major progress when the Dubai-based company JK Bauen, part of the Kleindienst Group, appointed Chinese-based companies Wuchang Ship Building Industry Group and Sino Great Wall International Engineering in a joint venture to develop facilities on the six islands.[55]
  • January 2022: Anantara World Islands opens.[56]

See also

[edit]
  • List of developments of The World (archipelago)
  • Palm Islands
  • The Universe
  • Dubai Waterfront

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Dubai's Palm and World Islands – progress update". AMEInfo. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  2. ^ a b Spencer, Richard (28 January 2011). "'The World' is sinking". Stuff.
  3. ^ Schaffer, Sierra (23 May 2016). "The "World" Is Sinking Back Into the Sea, Dubai's World Islands That Is – TechMalak". TechMalak. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Phase two of The Heart of Europe project launched". Khaleej Times. 17 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Work continues to progress at a pace on the heart of Europe". JK Properties. February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  6. ^ "The World Islands". Atlas Obscura. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  7. ^ 186483481 France on OpenStreetMap 25°13′24″N 55°09′34″E / 25.22334°N 55.15937°E / 25.22334; 55.15937 (France)
  8. ^ 2713321 (xjah) California on OpenStreetMap 25°12′11″N 55°08′38″E / 25.20300°N 55.14376°E / 25.20300; 55.14376 (California)
  9. ^ 87185503 Mount Everest on OpenStreetMap 25°14′13″N 55°10′31″E / 25.23683°N 55.17535°E / 25.23683; 55.17535 (Mount Everest)
  10. ^ 87185938 Australia on OpenStreetMap 25°13′53″N 55°11′40″E / 25.23149°N 55.19435°E / 25.23149; 55.19435 (Australia)
  11. ^ 8402261 (xjah) New Mexico on OpenStreetMap 25°12′05″N 55°09′06″E / 25.201379°N 55.151797°E / 25.201379; 55.151797 (New Mexico)
  12. ^ 87184344 Upernavik on OpenStreetMap 25°13′17″N 55°08′22″E / 25.22142°N 55.13939°E / 25.22142; 55.13939 (Upernavik)
  13. ^ 202033673 Buenos Aires on OpenStreetMap 25°12′04″N 55°10′10″E / 25.20106°N 55.1695°E / 25.20106; 55.1695 (Buenos Aires)
  14. ^ 87184265 New York on OpenStreetMap 25°12′51″N 55°09′04″E / 25.21421°N 55.15101°E / 25.21421; 55.15101 (New York)
  15. ^ 8402263 (xjah) Mexico on OpenStreetMap 25°12′07″N 55°09′16″E / 25.201824°N 55.154394°E / 25.201824; 55.154394 (Mexico)
  16. ^ 200489433 St. Petersburg on OpenStreetMap 25°14′05″N 55°09′53″E / 25.23475°N 55.16479°E / 25.23475; 55.16479 (St. Petersburg)
  17. ^ 170773643 India on OpenStreetMap 25°13′52″N 55°10′47″E / 25.23110°N 55.1796°E / 25.23110; 55.1796 (India)
  18. ^ a b c d "The World islands in Dubai complete". ArabianBusiness.com. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  19. ^ Simpson, Colin (9 May 2013). "The World is back on Dubai's map". The National News.
  20. ^ McLean, James (12 September 2009). "Credit crunch signals end of The World for Dubai's multi-billion dollar property deal". The Times.
  21. ^ Hari, Johann (7 April 2009). "The dark side of Dubai". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
  22. ^ Shane McGinley (4 February 2010). "Island owners hit back at 'sinking' claims". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010.
  23. ^ a b Spencer, Richard (20 January 2011). "The World is sinking: Dubai islands 'falling into the sea'". The Daily Telegraph.
  24. ^ "The End of The World". Kompas.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  25. ^ "JK Properties Monthly Newsletter (Nov. 2013) "A bright Outlook for Dubai's property Market"". JK Properties. November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  26. ^ a b Nakheel. "The World Video Gallery". Archived from the original on 22 June 2008.
  27. ^ "Nakheel unveils super-luxury resort at Coral Island of The World". National Media Council UAE. 5 March 2007. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  28. ^ "Nakheel sells Australasia segment of The World". AsiaTravelTips.com. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  29. ^ "The Island of Ireland". Retrieved 23 July 2007.
  30. ^ "Larionovo".
  31. ^ "World's Finland and Brunei to be hub of fashion". Emirates Business 24/7. 24 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  32. ^ Leftly, Mark. Anger over pay is just the free market in action, The Independent 10 June 2012
  33. ^ Syal, Rajeev (23 July 2010). "Owner of Dubai's 'little Britain' jailed for non-payment of cheques". The Guardian. London.
  34. ^ McGinley, Shane (23 July 2012). "Exclusive: Two Safi Qurashi judgements quashed". Arabian Business. Dubai.
  35. ^ Hyslop, Leah (24 July 2012). "Briton Safi Qurashi has convictions overturned in Dubai". The Telegraph. London.
  36. ^ "The Heart of Europe". Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  37. ^ "Heart of Europe in Dubai: Streets with snow". Emirates 24/7. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  38. ^ "Video: Plans to make it snow in Dubai are not a gimmick, says CEO". 7Days. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  39. ^ "Dubai's The World islands: inside the first 'country' set to open at The Heart of Europe". The National. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Dubai to construct 'Raining Street' where it pours down all year round". The National. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Heart of Europe's first hotel opens for bookings 13 years after being unveiled". Hotelier Middle East. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dubai FAQs. "The World Dubai". Dubaifaqs.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  43. ^ smh (30 March 2006). "Sir Richard Branson 'Stakes his Claim' on The World in Dubai". Asiatraveltips.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Cinnovation acquires Nova Island on The World (UAE/SG)". Europe-re.com. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  45. ^ "Dubai unveils 'Pearls of Arabia' at The World | DMCC". AMEinfo.com. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  46. ^ a b c "'The World' three-quarters sold out – The National". Thenational.ae. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  47. ^ "First developer breaks ground on The World | Real Estate". AMEinfo.com. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  48. ^ "The World LLC settles with Kleindienst Properties". Nakheel PJSC. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  49. ^ System Administrator (10 June 2013). "Dubai's The World: Construction on Taiwan begins post-Ramadan". Emirates 24-7. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  50. ^ "Settlements worth AED807 million put The World back on the map". Nakheel PJSC. 2 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  51. ^ "Road could be built to man-made World development". Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  52. ^ "JK Properties Monthly Newsletter (January 2014), "Kleindienst Group launches iconic The Heart of Europe project"". JK Properties. January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  53. ^ "The Heart of Europe – Construction Updates". The Heart of Europe. January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  54. ^ "JK Properties Newsletter (February 2014), "The Construction of the Heart of Europe Islands is Now Well Underway"". JK Properties. February 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  55. ^ Fahy, Michael (7 December 2016). "Heart of Europe development at The World Islands off Dubai coast takes major step forward". The National.
  56. ^ Evans, Tom (5 June 2023). "What's happening in the Dubai World Islands?". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
[edit]
  • Nakheel.com: The World (Web archive)
  • "The Heart of Europe" website
  • List of islands in The World by Nakheel, Dubai (DubaiFAQs)

 

Atlantis, The Palm
Map
Interactive map of the Atlantis, The Palm area
Hotel chain Atlantis, The Palm
General information
Location Jumeirah Palm, Dubai
Construction started 2006[1]
Opening September 24, 2008 (2008-09-24)
Management Kerzner International Resorts
Height 93.0 m (305.1 ft)
Technical details
Floor count 22
Design and construction
Developer Kerzner International Resorts
Other information
Number of rooms 1,544[2]
Number of suites Suites (Regal, Terrace, Executive)
Super Suites (Royal Bridge, Grand Atlantis, Underwater, Presidential)
Website
www.atlantis.com/dubai/atlantis-the-palm
[3][4][5]

Atlantis, The Palm is a luxury hotel resort located at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first resort to be built on the island and is themed on the myth of Atlantis[6] but includes distinct Arabian elements. The resort opened on September 24, 2008 as a joint venture between Kerzner International Holdings Limited and Istithmar World.[7]

Hotel

[edit]

The 1,544 room nautically themed resort has two accommodation wings, consisting of the East and the West Tower. It is complemented by the Aquaventure water park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to over 65,000 marine animals. Atlantis, The Palm is also known as the culinary destination in the region where guests can take their pick from a collection of 35 world-renowned restaurants including Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Street Pizza, Hakkasan, Nobu, En Fuego, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar and the award-winning underwater restaurant, Ossiano.[8]

Underwater rooms

[edit]

The Poseidon and Neptune Underwater Suites at Atlantis The Palm are two of only a tiny handful of underwater hotel rooms around the world, and regularly appear in lists of the world's most unique accommodation.

Measuring 165 m2 (1,780 sq ft) in total, the upper, entrance floor is at ground level while the master bedroom and en-suite bathroom are submerged. The almost floor to ceiling windows in both the bedroom and bathroom face out on to the resort's Ambassador Lagoon, home to a multitude of exotic sea creatures.[9] The floor-to-ceiling windows includes 65,000 marine animal aquarium in Dubai and will be amazed as sharks, rays and fish glide right past your bed.[10]

Development

[edit]

Atlantis The Palm, opened on 24 September 2008 as a joint venture between Kerzner International Holdings Limited and Istithmar World. In April 2012, Istithmar World acquired Kerzner's 50-percent stake in the property for US$250 million. The property continues to be managed by Kerzner International Resorts. The conceptual design architects were Northpoint-South Africa. The architect of record was design firm Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo (WATG) an international firm specializing in Luxury Hotels. The principal contract for the project was awarded to Laing O'Rourke,[11] a multinational construction firm based in United Kingdom. Laing O'Rourke was responsible for the design and construction phases of the 23-story hotel and water park.

Launch

[edit]

The hotel was officially opened on 24 September 2008.[12]

Days before the opening ceremony, the hotel's grand lobby caught fire[13] and became engulfed in flames which caused concern over the hotel's opening. Work was done to repair the damage caused and the hotel opened on time.[14][15]

As part of the opening, a light show of moving images was illuminated onto the hotel. 100,000 fireworks, around seven times the amount that were used for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, were let off, lasting 15 minutes. The display of fireworks across the full 5 km (3.1 mi) stretch of The Palm lit up the entire island and Atlantis, The Palm. Custom-made shells shipped in from across the globe created a light spectacle taking off from the 716 firing locations around the island, including 400 balconies at the resort. Display creator Fireworks by Grucci claims the display set a new world record, but records curator Guinness World Records has yet to announce the status.[16] The launch party costed an estimated £15m in total, with Kylie Minogue earning £2m for a 60-minute performance for the hotel's 2,000 guests.[17][18]

Reception

[edit]

The Telegraph gave the hotel a 8/10, commending the underwater theme and facilities available.[19] A 2024 review by The Sunday Times gave the hotel a score of 9/10, complimenting the architecture and appeal to all age groups.[20]

Controversy

[edit]

In October 2007, the hotel received a shipment of 28 bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands, to be used as part of their aquarium exhibit, called Dolphin Bay. The move was decried by several environmental groups, particularly for the fact that the export of dolphins had earlier been banned by the Solomon Islands government (after a similar controversial shipment to Mexico). Hotel managers have said that though the dolphins are being trained to interact with visitors, they will not appear in any sort of show or circus-like performance. They have also stated that the health of the dolphins is paramount; because the bottlenose is not an endangered species, their shipment did not pose a problem. The deal was done with the approval of the United Arab Emirates and Solomon Island governments, through the company Solomon Islands Marine Mammal Education Centre and Exporters Limited (who had overturned the earlier ban in court). The amount of money paid for the dolphins has not been disclosed.[21][22]

The hotel faced controversy in 2010 following the captivity of a whale shark, nicknamed Sammy, in an aquarium exhibit for 18 months.[23] The female juvenile was caught off a coast in Jebel Ali in August 2008 after appearing in distress.[24][25] At the time, whale sharks were listed in appendix 2 of CITES, stipulating that they can "only be held for scientific purposes provided that it does not harm the survival of the species". The captivity sparked outrage among animal rights groups and activists, including PETA and actress Pamela Anderson.[24] Gulf News launched a campaign with thousands of supporters calling for the release of the shark.[26] Atlantis would release a press release, stating:

"After several months of planning, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai has returned a female whale shark to the waters of the Persian Gulf from where she was rescued. The Atlantis Fish Husbandry Team utilised their experience and skill to save the animal in compliance with all CITIES regulations."

Ali Bin Saqr Al Suwaidi, president and founder of the Emirates Marine Environment Group, another group involved in the campaign, confirmed the shark was set to be released.[23] Scepticism surrounding the release persisted afterwards due to a lack of images being circulated, with Steve Kaiser, vice president of Marine Science and Engineering at Atlantis, denying the claims of Sammy still being held in captivity.[25]

[edit]

See also

[edit]
  • Dubai World
  • Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
  • List of hotels in Dubai
  • Atlantis Paradise Island – similar looking hotel by Sol Kerzner
  • Atlantis Sanya
  • Atlantis Resorts

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Husain, Shakir (9 October 2006). "Construction of Atlantis resort project set to peak in February". Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Hotel Rooms and Suites Atlantis The Palm Dubai". www.atlantisthepalm.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
  3. ^ "Emporis building complex ID 112406". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  4. ^ "Atlantis, The Palm". SkyscraperPage.
  5. ^ Atlantis, The Palm at Structurae
  6. ^ http://www.atlantisthepalm.com Archived 2009-05-24 at the Wayback Machine Atlantis
  7. ^ Ahmed Hussein (November 25, 2008). "Landmark project Atlantis, The Palm officially launched amidst grand ceremony". EstatesDubai. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Atlantis, The Palm: The Resort". Atlantis, The Palm: The Resort. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  9. ^ Underwater Hotel Rooms in Dubai
  10. ^ "Underwater Suite in Dubai". Atlantis.
  11. ^ "Atlantis, The Palm. Dubai. United Arab Emirates". Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  12. ^ CW Staff (10 June 2010). "UK giant Laing O'Rourke denies ME withdrawal". Construction Weekly. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
  13. ^ Cronin, Sean. "Atlantis bosses say fire-hit resort will open on time". Arabian Business.
  14. ^ "Atlantis fire casts doubt on opening". gulfnews.com. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  15. ^ Harnan, Eugene (2008-09-02). "Police investigate Atlantis fire". The National. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  16. ^ http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/atlantis-fireworks-display-seeks-place-in-guinness-book-1.17275 Archived 2014-12-27 at the Wayback Machine Atlantis fireworks display seeks place in Guinness Book of World Records
  17. ^ Bhatia, Shekhar (21 November 2008). "500 chefs, 4,000 lobsters and Kylie - recession Dubai style". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Wow! Kylie Minogue to be paid £2million for 60-minute set at Dubai hotel opening party". Evening Standard. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Atlantis, The Palm Dubai, United Arab Emirates". The Telegraph. 1 April 2019. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Atlantis The Palm hotel review: a Dubai palace with entertainment for the whole family". The Sunday Times. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  21. ^ 28 dolphins on way to Palm hotel Archived October 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Gulf News (16 October 2007).
  22. ^ Wild dolphins adapt to indoor life Archived October 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Gulf News (27 October 2007).
  23. ^ a b "Sammy the whale shark freed in Dubai". Gulf News. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Atlantis frees Sammy the whale shark". Hotelier Middle East. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Satellite tag reveals tale of shark Sammy in the wild". Gulf News. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Sammy the Whale Shark Sent to Sea". Khaleej Times. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
[edit]
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Reviews for Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai


Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Cristina Farrugia

(5)

We booked this as a surprise for my son's birthday and we nailed it - he loved the thrill of the helicopter ride itself, but also the spectacular views from above. The pilot was very friendly and knowledgeable. We learned so much more about Abu Dhabi than we would have ever done from walking around - and the views from above of the Mosque and of the palaces are unmatched.It is MUST experience in Abu Dhabi.

Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Md Khursheed Ali

(5)

I recently had the pleasure of taking a helicopter ride with your company, and I wanted to take a moment to share my experience. From start to finish, everything was exceptionally well-organized. The views during the ride were absolutely breathtaking, and the pilot's professionalism and knowledge added so much to the overall experience. It was clear that safety was a top priority, which made me feel comfortable and secure throughout the flight. The only suggestion I have for improvement would be [less timing of the ride] However, this did not detract from what was an otherwise fantastic experience. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, and I would highly recommend it to others. Thank you for providing such a memorable experience!

Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Giselle Prado-Wright

(5)

Awesome Helicopter tour of Dubai and the world Islands. We got to see everything we wanted to see. Tour left on time and everything was very organized.

Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Bhaskara Rao Molleti

(5)

Excellent ride experience, super view of Dubai with safety .

Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates

Simon Pickrell

(5)

Great flight, really friendly staff & sweet helicopter. Views were great & got lots of pictures. 👍

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