Marsa Al Arab ... featuring a host of entertainment and leisure options.

Dubai Holding has launched Marsa Al Arab, a mega-project spread over a 4-million-sq-ft area near the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai, to be developed at a cost of Dh6.3 billion ($1.71 billion).

Adding 2.2 km of beach frontage, the comprehensive tourist destination aims to elevate the family tourism proposition in Dubai as well as reinforce Jumeirah Group’s leading position locally and globally, said Dubai Holding.

The project will break ground this month (June) and will be completed by late 2020.

Marsa Al Arab comprises two islands on both sides of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. One will be dedicated to entertainment and family tourism, while the other will comprise an exclusive luxury resort.

Through this resort, Jumeirah Group will introduce new leisure concepts and services to complement its existing family entertainment offer including a new family-oriented hotel. To boost guest experience at this new resort, Wild Wadi Waterpark will be relocated closer to the beach, more than doubling its existing size. 

Dubai Holding will also develop ‘Marine Park’, a first-of-its-kind marine life edutainment centre in the Middle East. With a live theatre of a 1,000-seat capacity, the park will attract world-class shows that showcase various elements of marine life. Together, the enhanced Wild Wadi and Marine Park will cover an area of 2.5 million sq ft. 

The new family destination will house a dedicated theatre with a capacity of 1,700 seats, which will become home to the world-renowned show Cirque du Soleil for the first time in the Middle East.

The exclusive resort.

In addition, Dubai Holding will launch the Dubai Pearl Museum to showcase a historical collection of rare and ancient pearls from the region and worldwide. The museum will include a functional pearl farm in the adjoining sea, cultivating quality pearls. To complement this experience, Dubai Holding will create a pearl-inspired boutique hotel with unique facilities, services and specialist retail outlets.

Marsa Al Arab will include a private yacht marina and a yacht club, in addition to recreational attractions and diverse food and beverage offerings. Amongst the features of this unique development is a helipad.

Dubai Holding also plans to establish a mixed-use convention centre supported by a new hotel, offering a selection of services for businessmen and corporates.

The project will also include a large retail space stretching across 20,000 sq m, which will replace the current Wild Wadi Water Park area.

Meanwhile, on the exclusive private island, Dubai Holding will develop luxury villas to be operated by Jumeirah Group. 

There will be a total of 140 luxury villas, overlooking the pristine waters Arabian Gulf and characterised by the highest levels of privacy and luxury.

The island will also host a boutique hotel equipped with world-class facilities that reflect Marsa Al Arab’s status as an attractive destination for elite travellers.