Living in Port de La Mer
Port de La Mer is a waterfront residential development by Meraas on the La Mer peninsula in Jumeirah 1. It was the first freehold low-rise project in Jumeirah, an area that had been largely closed to foreign buyers, and it is built in a Mediterranean style around a marina, with the beaches and restaurants of La Mer next door.
The development was delivered in phases as a series of low-rise buildings: La Côte, Le Pont, La Rive, La Voile and La Sirène. All are now complete, with the last phase, La Sirène, finished around the end of 2024. Most homes are one- to three-bedroom apartments, with larger units and penthouses on the upper floors, and many look over the sea or the marina.
The setting is the main reason to buy here: a beach, a marina and a waterfront promenade a short drive from Downtown and DIFC. The trade-offs are that it is a small, self-contained community, the roads in and out get busy when La Mer draws weekend crowds, there is no metro nearby, and the location comes at a price.
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Freehold in Jumeirah
Port de La Mer is one of the few places in Jumeirah where buyers of any nationality can own property outright.
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La Mer on the doorstep
The beaches, restaurants, cafés and Laguna Waterpark at La Mer are a few minutes' walk from the buildings.
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Marina and promenade
The buildings are arranged around a marina with boat berths, and a waterfront promenade runs along the edge for walking, running and cycling.
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Close to the centre
DIFC, Downtown Dubai and City Walk are about 10 to 15 minutes away by car, and Dubai International Airport about 20.
Lifestyle and amenities
Daily life is relaxed and spent largely outdoors. Residents swim at La Mer's beaches, walk or cycle along the promenade, and eat at the restaurants and cafés on the waterfront, which get busier with visitors at weekends. For groceries, the supermarkets on Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Wasl Road, Mercato Mall and City Walk are all about 5 to 10 minutes away by car.
The rest of Jumeirah is close by: the Jumeirah Mosque, the cafés and boutiques of Jumeirah 1, the Dubai Water Canal walkways and Al Safa Park are a short drive south, and Kite Beach is about 15 minutes along the coast.
Getting around
There is no metro station within walking distance. The nearest Red Line stations, Max Fashion and World Trade Centre, are about 10 minutes away by car. Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Wasl Road run south along the coast, Al Mina Road leads north towards Port Rashid and the Infinity Bridge to Deira, and Sheikh Zayed Road is a few minutes inland. Traffic around La Mer slows down on weekend evenings, so allow extra time then.
- La Mer beachA few minutes' walk
- City WalkAbout 10 minutes by car
- DIFCAbout 10 to 15 minutes by car
- Downtown DubaiAbout 15 minutes by car
- Dubai International Airport (DXB)About 20 minutes by car
- Dubai MarinaAbout 30 minutes by car
Schools and healthcare
Jumeira Baccalaureate School is nearby in Jumeirah 1, and GEMS Jumeirah Primary School and Jumeirah College near Al Safa Park are about 15 minutes away. There are also several nurseries in Jumeirah 1 and Al Wasl. For healthcare, Emirates Hospital on Jumeirah Beach Road is about 10 minutes away, and Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City is about 15 minutes by car.
Property in Port de La Mer
Every building at Port de La Mer is complete, so purchases are on the resale market and tenants rent directly from owners. The stock is low-rise apartments, mostly one to three bedrooms, with a smaller number of large units and penthouses. Buyers are mainly end users who want a beach home close to the centre, often professionals working in DIFC or Downtown, plus investors letting on long-term leases or as holiday homes.
When comparing units, look at the view (open sea, marina or an inner courtyard), which phase the building belongs to, the distance to the beach, parking, and service charges. Units facing the public areas near La Mer can be noisier at weekends. If you plan to let as a holiday home, check the building's rules and the permit requirements of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism before you buy.
Best suited to
- Professionals working in DIFC or Downtown
- Expat buyers who want to own in Jumeirah
- Couples and small families who love the beach
- Holiday-home investors
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy property at Port de La Mer?
Yes. Port de La Mer is freehold, so buyers of any nationality can own apartments there. That sets it apart from most of the surrounding Jumeirah area, where ownership is largely limited to UAE and GCC nationals.
Is Port de La Mer finished?
Yes. All the phases, La Côte, Le Pont, La Rive, La Voile and La Sirène, are complete, the last around the end of 2024. Homes are now bought and rented on the secondary market.
Can I let my apartment as a holiday home?
Short-term letting in Dubai requires a holiday home permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism, and the building's own rules also apply. If this is your plan, check with the community management before you buy.
How busy does it get at weekends?
La Mer is a popular weekend destination, so traffic and parking around the peninsula can be busy on weekend evenings. Weekdays are calm. Units facing the marina or inner courtyards tend to be quieter than those overlooking the public areas.
