• Ain Dubai will open to the public in 2021.
    Ain Dubai will open to the public in 2021.
  • Standing at a height of 250 metres, it is the world's tallest observation wheel.
    Standing at a height of 250 metres, it is the world's tallest observation wheel.
  • The wheel houses 48 capsules, including some of VIP packages and dining experiences.
    The wheel houses 48 capsules, including some of VIP packages and dining experiences.
  • The first passenger capsule was installed on the Ain Dubai observation wheel at Bluewaters Island in 2020.
    The first passenger capsule was installed on the Ain Dubai observation wheel at Bluewaters Island in 2020.
  • More capsules were fitted to Ain Dubai over the last few months.
    More capsules were fitted to Ain Dubai over the last few months.
  • A general view of Ain Dubai at Bluewaters Island.
    A general view of Ain Dubai at Bluewaters Island.
  • Ain Dubai soars over Bluewaters Island.
    Ain Dubai soars over Bluewaters Island.
  • A development years in the making, Ain Dubai was initially due to swing into action last year, to coincide with the start of Expo 2020 Dubai.
    A development years in the making, Ain Dubai was initially due to swing into action last year, to coincide with the start of Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • Ain Dubai forms the centerpiece of Bluewaters Island.
    Ain Dubai forms the centerpiece of Bluewaters Island.
  • Ain Dubai construction at the halfway stage on July 12, 2017. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Ain Dubai construction at the halfway stage on July 12, 2017. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • View of the Ain Dubai on a hot and hazy day.
    View of the Ain Dubai on a hot and hazy day.
  • Ain Dubai construction at the halfway stage on July 12, 2017. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Ain Dubai construction at the halfway stage on July 12, 2017. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, casts his eye over Ain Dubai on March 5, 2018. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, casts his eye over Ain Dubai on March 5, 2018. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at Ain Dubai in 2018. Wam
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at Ain Dubai in 2018. Wam
  • Visitors at Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence enjoy the beach with Ain Dubai in the background in 2018.
    Visitors at Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence enjoy the beach with Ain Dubai in the background in 2018.
  • Ain Dubai and the bridge towards BlueWaters Island in 2018.
    Ain Dubai and the bridge towards BlueWaters Island in 2018.
  • Ain Dubai towers over the surrounding buildings.
    Ain Dubai towers over the surrounding buildings.
  • The sun sets behind Ain Dubai during construction in 2017. AP Photo
    The sun sets behind Ain Dubai during construction in 2017. AP Photo

UAE

Ain Dubai: World's tallest observation wheel to open on Bluewaters Island next year

Ain Dubai, which stands more than 250m tall on Bluewaters Island is more than 80m taller than the current record holder, the High Roller in Las Vegas

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

April 17, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The world’s tallest observation wheel, Ain Dubai, will open in the city next year.

The last of the permanent spoke cables has now been installed and construction is continuing, according to Meraas, the developer. No further details of the launch date were released, although it is expected to open before the beginning of Expo2020 in October.

Ain Dubai, which stands more than 250 metres tall on Bluewaters Island, just off JBR, is more than 80m taller than the current record holder, the 167m High Roller in Las Vegas.

And it is almost double the height of the world’s third tallest observation wheel, the London Eye, which is 135m.

The wheel is made out of 192 cable wires, totaling 2,400km, the same distance between Dubai and Cairo. The weight of its rim is equal to 16 Airbus A380 superjumbos.

About 9,000 tonnes of steel was used in the construction of the wheel, which is 25 per cent more than the amount of iron used to build the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Around 30 buses could fit inside each leg supporting the wheel, which will carry 48 passenger capsules with a capacity of 1,900 people.

The wheel is located on Bluewaters Island, one of Dubai’s latest developments, which opened in late 2018.

  • Ain Dubai is slated to open at the end of 2019. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Ain Dubai is slated to open at the end of 2019. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The area is now open to walk around, but there's not much open there yet. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The area is now open to walk around, but there's not much open there yet. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • On the retail front, some of the signboards we spotted include Typo, SuperDry, Ciel de Perfume, iSea and Beyond the Beach, which sells beach accessories and swimwear from Seafolly, Maaji, Tommy Bahama, Veikini, Zoggs and Havianas. Leslie Pableo for The National
    On the retail front, some of the signboards we spotted include Typo, SuperDry, Ciel de Perfume, iSea and Beyond the Beach, which sells beach accessories and swimwear from Seafolly, Maaji, Tommy Bahama, Veikini, Zoggs and Havianas. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • It feels like a combination of The Beach, CityWalk and La Mer. But then you find yourself at the base of the Ain Dubai, looking up at the wheel that has come to dominate the city’s skyline and you realise you're somewhere entirely different. Leslie Pableo for The National
    It feels like a combination of The Beach, CityWalk and La Mer. But then you find yourself at the base of the Ain Dubai, looking up at the wheel that has come to dominate the city’s skyline and you realise you're somewhere entirely different. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Here you can see the base of the Ain Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Here you can see the base of the Ain Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Cove Beach has moved from Jumeirah Beach Hotel to Bluewaters Island Leslie Pableo for The National
    Cove Beach has moved from Jumeirah Beach Hotel to Bluewaters Island Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Another view of Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Another view of Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Cove Beach offers pool and beach access, complete with sun loungers and three Jacuzzi cabanas. While hotel guests enter free, the Cove has a redeemable cover charge of Dh150 (weekdays) and Dh250 (weekends) for visitors, and a ladies deal on Wednesday for Dh100 a pop, all-inclusive. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Cove Beach offers pool and beach access, complete with sun loungers and three Jacuzzi cabanas. While hotel guests enter free, the Cove has a redeemable cover charge of Dh150 (weekdays) and Dh250 (weekends) for visitors, and a ladies deal on Wednesday for Dh100 a pop, all-inclusive. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Cove Beach is affiliated with Caesars Palace. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Cove Beach is affiliated with Caesars Palace. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The view of the Ain Dubai from Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The view of the Ain Dubai from Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The restaurant at Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The restaurant at Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The residential area of the new island. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The residential area of the new island. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A day bed at Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
    A day bed at Cove Beach. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Cove Beach is bringing back its famous ladies' day. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Cove Beach is bringing back its famous ladies' day. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A view inside the three-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
    A view inside the three-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The apartments will be ready from January. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The apartments will be ready from January. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Another view of a show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Another view of a show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A view of Jumeirah Beach Residence from The Wharf promenade of Bluewaters. Leslie Pableo for The National
    A view of Jumeirah Beach Residence from The Wharf promenade of Bluewaters. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A view of Jumeirah Beach Residence from Bluewaters. Leslie Pableo for The National
    A view of Jumeirah Beach Residence from Bluewaters. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The one-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The one-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Basanti & Co, a licensed Indian restaurant, will open soon. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Basanti & Co, a licensed Indian restaurant, will open soon. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A photo showcasing the views from the island. Leslie Pableo for The National
    A photo showcasing the views from the island. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The three-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The three-bedroom show apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The Coffee Club is the first outlet to open there. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The Coffee Club is the first outlet to open there. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The living room of the three bedroom apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The living room of the three bedroom apartment. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • There are green spaces surrounding the apartment bulidings. Leslie Pableo for The National
    There are green spaces surrounding the apartment bulidings. Leslie Pableo for The National

Home to Caesars Palace, Caesars Resort and Caesars Residences, the island development is accessible from the mainland by a road bridge from Sheikh Zayed Road, as well as a 15-minute walk using a pedestrian bridge from The Beach.

UAE