An aerial view shows Sharjah Waterfront City, a brand new luxury development in the UAE
A mixed-concept theme-water park boasting a mixture of 40 wet and dry attractions is coming to the emirate of Sharjah in the UAE.
Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) has unveiled the master plan and the preliminary designs for Crystal Lagoon water-theme park, part of the $5.4bn (£3.5bn, €4.8bn) Sharjah Waterfront City development.
Crystal Lagoon will be sited on one of a series of 10 islands interconnected by man-made canals – part of the upcoming Waterfront City, a luxury residential, commercial and tourism destination across on 36km (22.3 miles) of coastline.
Attractions will include a combination of waterslides, family rides, thrill rides, 4D dark rides, a state-of-the-art planetarium and children’s rides. Crystal Lagoon will also have a rollercoaster that combines the action of a water ride with the interactive nature of a video game.
Crystal Lagoon will feature a night water show made up of a series of coloured fountains as a “relaxation” event for visitors to chill out after spending a day in the water/theme park hybrid.
“We have launched Sharjah Waterfront City in line with Sharjah’s development plans to attract 10 million visitors to its emirate by 2021,” says Hayssam El Masri, president of developer Sharjah Oasis Real Estate. The emirate currently receives 2 million tourists per year.
“These robust plans will increase demand for residential and commercial units as well as hotels, especially in prime locations that offer all modern facilities and we can proudly say Sharjah Waterfront City will be able to match the demands and provide the desired quality of living,” says El Masri.
The attraction will operate year-round, with a “well known waterpark operator” handling day-to-day operations at the park.
According to a feasibility study by Colliers International, more than 1 million people are expected to visit the attraction on an annual basis once fully operational.
All figures suggest that Crystal Lagoon is aiming high; the most-visited waterpark in the UAE, Aquaventure in Dubai, attracted 1.4 million guests in 2014. Estimates from Crystal Lagoon Entertainment, who will own the park, forecast it will generate an ROI of between 19 and 24 per cent.
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An aerial view shows Sharjah Waterfront City, a brand new luxury development in the UAE
A mixed-concept theme-water park boasting a mixture of 40 wet and dry attractions is coming to the emirate of Sharjah in the UAE.
Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) has unveiled the master plan and the preliminary designs for Crystal Lagoon water-theme park, part of the $5.4bn (£3.5bn, €4.8bn) Sharjah Waterfront City development.
Crystal Lagoon will be sited on one of a series of 10 islands interconnected by man-made canals – part of the upcoming Waterfront City, a luxury residential, commercial and tourism destination across on 36km (22.3 miles) of coastline.
Attractions will include a combination of waterslides, family rides, thrill rides, 4D dark rides, a state-of-the-art planetarium and children’s rides. Crystal Lagoon will also have a rollercoaster that combines the action of a water ride with the interactive nature of a video game.
Crystal Lagoon will feature a night water show made up of a series of coloured fountains as a “relaxation” event for visitors to chill out after spending a day in the water/theme park hybrid.
“We have launched Sharjah Waterfront City in line with Sharjah’s development plans to attract 10 million visitors to its emirate by 2021,” says Hayssam El Masri, president of developer Sharjah Oasis Real Estate. The emirate currently receives 2 million tourists per year.
“These robust plans will increase demand for residential and commercial units as well as hotels, especially in prime locations that offer all modern facilities and we can proudly say Sharjah Waterfront City will be able to match the demands and provide the desired quality of living,” says El Masri.
The attraction will operate year-round, with a “well known waterpark operator” handling day-to-day operations at the park.
According to a feasibility study by Colliers International, more than 1 million people are expected to visit the attraction on an annual basis once fully operational.
All figures suggest that Crystal Lagoon is aiming high; the most-visited waterpark in the UAE, Aquaventure in Dubai, attracted 1.4 million guests in 2014. Estimates from Crystal Lagoon Entertainment, who will own the park, forecast it will generate an ROI of between 19 and 24 per cent.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Attractions: Gone, Not Forgotten
We find out what people thought of
Dismaland, Banksy’s twisted theme park
and contemporary art attraction – and
talk to one of the Dismal Stewards
Promotional feature: IdeAttack
Mysteries of China’s rich culture are at the heart of IDEATTACK’s new mixed-used tourism destination
Zoos & Aquariums: Turn over a New Reef
The Florida Aquarium is teaming
up with the National Aquarium of
Cuba in a bid to save and restore
the region’s precious coral reefs
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
