The ultimate guide to Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Just 20 minutes from downtown Dubai, Atlantis is a prime entertainment destination featuring two world-class mega-resorts at the crown of The Palm Jumeirah, the first man-made island in Dubai. Known for underwater hotel suites and Dubai’s largest waterpark, the area has plenty of fun, food, and family adventure to offer day-trippers and guests of Atlantis The Palm or Atlantis The Royal Resort (late 2021 opening).

For the ultimate value-for-money trip, here’s everything you need to know to get the most from your visit to Atlantis, The Palm. We're talking must-do activities, value-for-money restaurants, saving hacks, traveler tips, ticket prices, how to get to Atlantis, and more.

Grab your resort map and follow along.

The crowd-puller of The Palm Jumeirah, the Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark is Dubai’s biggest waterpark and has featured in global television programs like “The Amazing Race”. Spanning 148 acres, this extreme theme park comprises over 100 rides and watersports experiences across three towers, and is renowned for its record-breaking “Leap of Faith” at Neptune Tower where riders plunge nearly 60ft vertically (9 storeys) down a slide that goes through a frightening shark tank. Must-try new rides include “Odyssey of Terror”, the world’s tallest waterslide, and “Blackout”, the Middle East’s tallest vertical drop slide.

Hot tip: before you go, strap your phone to your arm in a waterproof case – it'll save you repeat trips to the lockers after rides. Save cost by bringing your own towels, and save your feet from sweltering surfaces by wearing water shoes. And don't wear cotton on rides, or you won't be allowed in. Final word of advice? Go on a weekday when the park opens at 10am for fewer crowds and shorter wait times. You're in for an epic adventure.

Admission and towels are free for Atlantis hotel guests. Otherwise, visitors pay AED269 (USD73) for entry. Save money with a 2-in-1 admission ticket including the Lost Chambers Aquarium here.

Love wildlife? Play with precocious sea lions, swim with bubbly dolphins, and have a blast learning all about them in interactive shows by accredited trainers. Located within the Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, this fun family vacation activity (~30 minutes - 1 hour) is incredibly popular among kids, with an option to buy the photos taken during your interaction. There are multiple experience options for each area: Dip & Play, Meet & Greet, Swim & Explore – so check carefully before booking. Go early at 11am before the park gets crowded.

Selfies and shows are free for hotel guests. Otherwise, visitors pay upwards of AED595 (USD160) for tickets. If you're going, book direct on the official site – your ticket will include admission to the Aquaventure Waterpark.

No trip to Atlantis is complete without a visit to the largest aquarium in the UAE. Perfect for snorkelers, divers, and marine wildlife lovers, this underwater labyrinth depicts an ancient paradise teeming with over 65,000 marine animals. Come face to face with sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, endangered Napolean wrasses and even albino alligators, with additional snorkeling and diving options readily available. You can even do yoga in the aquarium if you book in advance.

It takes about 1 hour to explore the entire aquarium. If you're looking to skip to the most IG-worthy spots, don't miss The Jellyfish Aquarium and the Seven Sages Chamber.

Admission is free for hotel guests. Otherwise, visitors pay AED85 (USD23) for entry. If you're going to Aquaventure Waterpark too, get bundle admission here.

Kick back with a cold one at the Wavehouse, a funky two-story entertainment hub with more than 50 games scattered within a technicolor indoor arcade. Among the highlights: a realistic surf machine, the world’s largest Pac-Man, a bowling alley (one of the only two licensees in Dubai), stage areas where a live band plays three nights a week, daily happy hour from 5 p.m - 7 p.m. with 50% off selected drinks and games, and 13 flavors of shisha. Outside, a beach-themed terrace provides a perfect vantage spot for watching new surfers catch their first wave.

Turn up for Ladies' Night on Tuesdays to get a free drink per pax. Because Wavehouse is a popular haunt for after-dark escapades, reserve a table in advance if you're going after 5 p.m.

For a quintessential Atlantis luxury experience, pamper yourself at the award-winning ShuiQi Spa. Located in the Royal Towers of Atlantis, this wellness spa and fitness centre is the hallmark of relaxation in Dubai, offering a huge range of spa packages, manicures, pedicures, massage services, haircare, scrubs and facials to spoil yourself with. Here’s a secret: Parents can drop their kids off at the Atlantis Kids Club to catch a few hours of me time at the spa.

Signature treatments start from ~AED1,100 (USD300). If you're fishing for a discount, use the Entertainer app to access discounts (up to ~AED 1,600 or USD436) on spacations, facials, and massages.

One of Atlantis’ signatures, Seafire Steakhouse boasts an open kitchen and walk-in wine cellar, and specializes in the finest seafood and prime cut selections. Customization on your meal is endless—from the cut, age and marble score of your steak, down to your choice of knife, the variety of salts used, and the type of (and how much) house-made sauce you drizzle on. Steaks start from AED195 (USD53) which means you can rack up quite the bill, but the experience is well worth it. If you're budget-conscious, you'll be happy to know that kids below 11 years old eat for free between 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Eat your way around Dubai’s largest Asian buffet, with over 220 dishes on offer and 20 live cooking stations to watch top chefs chop, sizzle and dice your dishes right in front of you. Don’t miss Saffron's famous themed dinners on rotation every week, but visit on a day that suits your taste. Tripadvisor travelers particularly love seafood night on Tuesdays, where lobsters, crabs, sashimi, and oysters flow endlessly. Check the line-up here before going, and call ahead to reserve your seat for your favorite themed night. Note that the dress code here is smart-casual.

Themed buffets start at AED245/pax (USD67) for a world of excellent Asian variety. Bring cash to avoid a long wait in the notoriously long card billing queue.

If you’ve never heard of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa before, his Japanese-Peruvian signature dishes are a great introduction. Specifically, try his world-famous black cod in miso pictured above. Nobu Dubai houses Chef Nobu’s tasteful reimaginings of iconic dishes that hail from both cultures, resulting from years of improvisation following a mid-career move to Peru. A spread of omakase sets and other fusion specialties are on the menu, made fresh to order with ample explanations and suggestions thrown in from the crew upon request. Omakase sets start at AED475 (USD130).

Friday set menu brunches are a popular choice too, with beef dishes and black cod lettuce wraps among the top highlights. As with all popular food destinations, book in advance before going.

The newest adults-only addition to Atlantis’ beach club scene, WHITE Beach has built a reputation as a premier party destination in the area. With two poolside bars, an outdoor restaurant, and an infinity pool with picture-perfect views of Dubai's downtown skyline, guests stretch out on boho-style sun loungers across an open-air terrace. All day long, resident DJs are on deck to spin Mediterranean soundscapes and Ibizan rhythms that take you far, far away from here. A perfect setting for brunches and sundown parties.

Turn up for Ladies’ Night on Tuesdays to get unlimited wines and cocktails for AED150 (USD41), while gents get to redeem AED150 (USD41) worth of food and drinks. Only guests 21 and above are allowed into the club.

On a normal day, drinks-only prices start at AED150 (USD41).

Perfect for lazy sun-soaked afternoons, Paradise Beach offers great deals on bottomless brunch and teatime packages on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Day beds are available for lounging all across the terrace, facing spectacular panoramas of the Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Marina. Where drinks flow, music follows – go from electronic to dreamy house to oriental, paired by DJs with live instrumentals. Check out the most updated program on their website.

Tripadvisor travelers recommend Ladies’ Day on Mondays from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. for a great AED120 (USD33) deal on bottomless brunch. Otherwise, the usual drink and tapas bundles also start from AED120 (USD33).

Showing every half-hour from 6 p.m. to midnight daily at The Pointe Waterfront, the grand Palm Fountain lights up in a kaleidoscopic array of LED, synchronized to hit songs, from sunset to midnight. Next to the spectacle, the neighboring Burj Khalifa dazzles in splendid technicolor. Trust us – the world’s biggest fountain looks even better up close. There’s no place you’d rather be than gliding alongside on a dreamy 30-minute boat ride, with plenty of chances to take pictures.

Boat rides start at AED111 (USD 31) per pax, but the fountain show is otherwise free for onlookers by the waterfront.

For pros and beginners alike, feed your need for speed with a family-friendly jet ski ride around the waterfront, with an energetic guide showing off some jet skiing tricks along the way. Choose to ride alone or with a friend, but rest assured that the technical briefing at the start will cover all your questions about operating a jet-ski. Don’t miss your chance to snap pictures right in front of the Burj Al Arab.

Adventures are priced at AED683 (USD186). Pick a morning slot to beat the oppressive afternoon heat.

Just one romantic buggy ride away from the pick-up point at One & Only The Palm, 101 Dining Lounge and Bar sits in a private marina at the west crescent of The Palm, right along the water’s edge – a prime spot to bask in Dubai’s spectacular golden hour after 6 p.m. Spend your sunset grooving to the jazzy rhythm of a live band on Fridays as you enjoy fresh catches from the seaside. For couch seating with unparalleled views, try getting a seat at the deck on the terrace directly facing the Expo.

Prices vary by season, but 101 is known for luxury prices. To get more out of your trip there, opt for the alternative scenic route on your way out and exit through the gardens to One & Only The Palm.

To get around Dubai, you’ll need a Nol smart card to make micropayments for transportation services like the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, taxis, or bus. Buy a Silver card – perfect for tourists – at RTA machines at any metro station or the airport terminal for about AED25 (USD7).

Here are all the ways you can get to Atlantis The Palm:

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