Love Lake Dubai: how to get there and what to bring

Two giant heart-shaped lakes in the middle of the desert, perfectly mirrored in still water at sunrise: that is why Love Lake has become one of Dubai's most photographed spots. It is also a place where plenty of visitors arrive without water, ice or a plan, because there is nothing there to buy. This guide covers how to get to Love Lake, when to go, what to bring and how to behave, so your trip is the good kind of memorable.

Where is Love Lake and how do you get there?

Love Lake sits in the Al Qudra area of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, a short drive from the better-known Al Qudra Lakes. From the city, most drivers take Al Qudra Road (E77), reached via Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) or Emirates Road (E611), and follow the signs towards Al Qudra Lakes. Put "Love Lake" into Google Maps before you leave and download the offline map, because mobile signal can be patchy.

The very last stretch is a flat track. A normal car can usually manage it if you stay on the hard-packed surface, but soft sand is where people get stuck, so do not chase the perfect photo angle onto loose dunes unless you have a 4x4 and know how to deflate tyres. Public transport is poor, so plan on a car or taxi, and agree a pick-up time with your driver because rides back are hard to find.

Zad is the last stop on the way

On Al Qudra Road you will pass Zad Food Store at the Last Exit, open 24 hours a day. It is the last shop before the lakes, so treat it as your checkpoint: fill the cooler, buy ice last, top up your water and use the toilet if you need to. Once you turn in towards the lakes, you will not find another counter to buy from until you come back out.

Best time to visit Love Lake

• Sunrise. Still water, soft pink light, birds on the shore and almost no one around on weekdays. Arrive 30 minutes before first light.
• Golden hour before sunset. Warm light on the sand and the busiest time for photographers, so arrive early to park and pick your spot.
• Season. October to April is comfortable. From May to September the midday heat is brutal, so go only at dawn, and carry far more water than you think you need.
• Weekdays over weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings in winter are crowded. A Tuesday sunrise is a different place.

Planning a trip around cycling? The cycle track runs through the same area, so see our Al Qudra cycling guide for timings and routes.

What to bring to Love Lake

There are no shops, kiosks or cafés at the lake. Pack as if you were going on a small expedition:

• Water, at least 2 litres per person even in winter, plus more if you are staying past noon.
• Ice and cold drinks in a cooler. Buy the ice last, at Zad, so it is still solid when you arrive.
• Snacks or a picnic, and a mat or blanket. Sand is warm by day and cold at night.
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. In winter evenings, bring a jumper as well, because it cools quickly after sunset.
• A bin bag. There may be bins, but on busy days they overflow. Carry your rubbish out.
• A power bank and a torch if you are staying for sunset or stars. It gets properly dark.
• A full tank and a tow rope or small shovel if you are driving anything beyond a standard sedan.

If you would rather not pack from scratch, our Lake BBQ Box (AED 125) bundles a foldable grill, 3 kg of charcoal, fire-starter gel, tongs and two bags of ice, ready for pickup when you pass.

Rules and etiquette at Love Lake

Love Lake sits inside a protected conservation reserve, and the rules exist to keep the water clean and the birds undisturbed. The following is general guidance, not legal advice, and rules can change, so follow posted signs and check Dubai Municipality guidance before you travel.

• No swimming. The lakes are habitat, not a pool.
• No fires or barbecues at the lake edge. Camping and fires at the water's edge are restricted. If you cook at all, use a proper stand or fire pit, never directly on the sand, and keep well away from the water. Read our firewood and charcoal guide for the details.
• Take every scrap home. Littering fines in Dubai start at AED 500, and a clean lake is the reason people keep coming.
• Do not feed the fish or birds, and keep a respectful distance from flamingos and other wildlife.
• Keep the music low. Sound carries across water and the whole point is the quiet.
• Drones need a permit. No permit, no drone.
• Stay on the track and park where others do, so you do not crush the desert plants.

Photo tips for Love Lake

• Shoot at sunrise for reflections. Wind picks up after about 9am and the water stops being a mirror.
• Go wide, and go low. The heart shapes are subtle from the ground. Get to a slightly raised edge, or shoot at the shoreline to include the reflection.
• Face away from the sun at golden hour for warm skin tones, and then turn around for silhouettes as it drops.
• Wear colours that stand out against beige sand and blue water: white, deep green or terracotta.
• Charge everything, because you will take far more photos than you plan to.

Planning a proposal, birthday or sunset picnic? Our team can help you plan around the practicalities. See outings and tailor-made plans for options.

What else is nearby?

The wider area makes a full day. Al Qudra Lakes are a string of man-made lakes with swans, flamingos and picnic spots, and Moon Lake is a quieter crescent-shaped lake. The Al Qudra cycle track loops through the same reserve, and a coffee at Zad is the traditional start or finish for riders. For overnight trips in the desert, see our camping and BBQ supplies and the full camping checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Zad Food Store is open 24/7 at the Last Exit, Al Qudra Road (Seih Al Salam), Dubai, the last stop before the desert since 2013.