Most places in Dubai try hard to impress. The Pointe in Dubai didn’t have to try.
Perched right at the tip of Palm Jumeirah, it held the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest fountain, covered over 1.4 million square feet of waterfront, and packed in more than 100 restaurants facing open sea views. It was the kind of place where people showed up once and came back the following weekend.
The complex closed in 2023 for a full redevelopment into something Nakheel is calling The Palm Crown. But Palm Jumeirah hasn’t lost its pull, and knowing what made The Pointe special tells a visitor exactly why this end of the island still draws crowds.
What was it about this spot that made it one of the most talked-about openings in Dubai’s recent history?
The Pointe in Dubai: Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Tip of Palm Jumeirah trunk, Dubai |
| Total Area | Over 1.4 million square feet |
| Waterfront Promenade | 1.5 kilometres long |
| Dining Options | 100+ restaurants and cafes at peak |
| Retail Stores | Around 70 shops |
| The Palm Fountain | Guinness World Record holder |
| Fountain Jet Height | Up to 105 metres |
| Current Status | Closed for redevelopment since 2023 |
| Upcoming Project | The Palm Crown |
| Best Access | Car, taxi, or Palm Monorail |
A Spot That Felt Different From the Rest of Dubai
Dubai has no shortage of malls or rooftop bars. What The Pointe got right was the outdoor feel. The promenade ran 1.5 kilometres along the Gulf, broken into three zones: East Marina, Central, and West Marina.
The Central section was the heart of it, an open plaza where nothing blocked the view across the water to Atlantis The Palm sitting on the crescent. Restaurants on the lower terrace had their tables practically at sea level.
On warm evenings, the sound of the water carried right through dinner. The upper level gave a broader view but still felt connected to the waterfront rather than removed from it.
There were no grand atriums or air-conditioned corridors here. People came to be outside, and the layout made that easy.
The Fountain That Made Headlines
The Palm Fountain is still the first thing people bring up when The Pointe comes into conversation. Guinness World Records made it official: 14,000 square feet of open seawater, jets climbing 105 metres into the sky, and 3,000 LED lights running through colour sequences set to music.
Five shows every evening, every 30 minutes from sunset to midnight. On a busy Friday night, the waterfront terraces filled up well before the first show. People held phones up, ordered another drink, and stayed for a second or third performance.
It wasn’t background entertainment. It was the reason people booked the table. Travellers who want that same kind of evening on the water today will find a Luxury Dhow Dinner Cruise delivers its own version of waterfront magic, with candlelit tables and the city skyline moving slowly past.
More Than 100 Restaurants and a Cinema Nobody Expected
The food at The Pointe covered serious ground. Lebanese, Chinese, Indian fusion, fresh seafood, brunch spots, casual cafes as the lineup ran deep. Chuan picked up the Time Out Dubai award for Best Chinese Restaurant while it was here.
Al Safadi had regulars who came weekly. The mix kept it from feeling like a tourist trap. The real surprise was the Reel Cinemas dine-in setup. Ordering a full meal and eating it during a film sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it pulled in steady crowds and became one of the more talked-about spots on the island.
Around 70 shops handled the retail side, covering everything from gifts and fashion to a supermarket for Palm Jumeirah residents. The Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark sits just across the bay and pairs well with a full day out on this end of the island.
Getting Out to Palm Jumeirah
Taxis and rideshares cover Palm Jumeirah without any fuss. Uber and Careem both run regularly, and the trip from Dubai Marina takes around 15 minutes on a normal day.
The Palm Monorail is worth taking at least once. It runs from Gateway Station near Dubai Tram along the full length of the trunk and gives an elevated view of the island that most visitors never see from road level.
Parking at The Pointe previously ran to over 1,600 spaces underground, and access to the surrounding Palm Jumeirah area is still available for those driving today.
What Else Is Close By
The Burj Khalifa observation deck is one of those experiences that genuinely lives up to the scale people imagine. At 148 floors up, the entire city grid spreads out below in a way that takes a moment to process. It’s worth booking in advance, especially for a sunset slot.
For something that has nothing to do with city skylines, a Desert Safari shifts the whole mood of a Dubai trip. Dune bashing, camel rides, and dinner at a Bedouin camp under open sky. It’s a reminder that the desert is forty minutes from all of this and worth every bit as much of the time.
Putting together a Dubai trip and want to cover the good stuff? Find tours, desert safaris, dinner cruises, and more at Jugnu Tours and sort the itinerary before the flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is The Pointe in Dubai still open?
No, it closed in 2023 when Nakheel started the redevelopment into The Palm Crown. The rest of Palm Jumeirah is still fully open and busy.
2. What is replacing The Pointe?
The new project is called The Palm Crown. Nakheel has positioned it as a bigger and more ambitious destination on the same site.
3. What was The Palm Fountain?
It was the world’s largest fountain according to Guinness World Records. Jets hit 105 metres with 3,000 LED lights running five shows each evening.
4. How do visitors get to Palm Jumeirah?
Taxi, rideshare, car, or the Palm Monorail from Gateway Station all work well. From Dubai Marina it takes around 15 minutes.
5. Is Palm Jumeirah worth visiting now that The Pointe has closed?
Yes. Atlantis The Palm, Aquaventure Waterpark, The View at The Palm, and the waterfront itself are all still there and still worth the trip.