Dubai is known for its glitz and glamour, but there’s so much more to this city than visiting shimmering skyscrapers. And that’s because you can actually admire them… from the water!
I used to be a resident in Dubai, and seeing it from the water was one of my favorite things to do in the city. It’s not only an incredibly relaxing experience, but offers the most fantastic viewpoint of the coastline, the bay, and many of its landmarks!
A boat tour will take you gliding past the iconic Palm Islands, grant you a first-row view of the Burj Al Arab, and sometimes even offer you drinks and dinner to relish on the way!
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious yacht charter, a romantic dhow cruise, or a more traditional boat tour, Dubai has it all.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a seasoned sailor to enjoy these boat tours. All that’s expected from you is to sit back, relax, and let the local skipper take you on a journey you’ll never forget.
So put on your sunscreen, pack your camera, and get ready to set sail on one of these fantastic Dubai boat tours!
Why should you trust me? I have a decade of experience in the travel industry and have developed a knack for identifying iconic, high-quality experiences around the world. It’s my job after all!
And as I mentioned above, I lived in Dubai for a year, so I’m very familiar with its attractions, landmarks, and the adventures it offers. You can expect to find only extraordinary tours below.
I usually use Get Your Guide and Viator when booking tours in my travels. I especially recommend them because of their great cancelation policy. If your travel plans change, you can cancel most tours up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Dubai Marina: Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ |
| PRIVATE BOAT TOUR | Dubai: Private Yacht Charter from Dubai Marina |
| DINNER CRUISE | Dubai Marina Royal Dinner Dhow Cruise |
| SUNSET CRUISE | Dubai: Burj Khalifa Sunset on an Abra |
| SPEEDBOAT TOUR | Guided Sightseeing Tour by Speedboat |
OUR PICK: The BEST Dubai Boat Tour
See the beautiful landmarks of Dubai from the comfort of a yacht! In this Dubai Marina: Yacht Tour with Optional Breakfast or BBQ, you’ll be treated to a red-carpet welcome as you board, and then it’s smooth sailing from there.
You can choose a morning cruise to start your day with a light breakfast in the sea, or sail at sunset and indulge in a BBQ dinner, paired with refreshing tropical drinks and water.
A virtual tour guide will share interesting facts about the city and its landmarks as you go, giving a cultural and historical side to the scenic experience.
You can opt for the 1-hour tour, with which you’ll cruise around Dubai Marina, JBR, Ain Dubai, and Dubai Harbour, or a longer cruise that also takes you to Bluewaters Island and Jumeirah Beach.
The boat you’ll be traveling in is a spacious 65-foot vessel with a beautiful sun deck and air-conditioned areas, all of which offer great views of the passing sights.
Why is this the best tour? Aside from having more than 13 THOUSAND positive reviews? The tour lasts up to 3 hours, ensuring you get your fill of sea adventures while leaving you plenty of time to plan other activities.
The tour is aboard a modern and fully equipped vessel, and it takes you to all the must-see locations on Dubai’s coastline. Plus, it includes a delectable spread of food, whether it’s breakfast or dinner.
Read what the reviews say:
“Fabulous yacht trip for 6 of us. Crew were brilliant and very attentive, even brought out cake and balloon for my friend’s birthday. Highly recommend trip, amazing photos of the sites of Dubai and the crew very happy to snap away for you. Would do it all again and value for money was outstanding.”
Moira – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A virtual tour guide, a life jacket, and a light breakfast or BBQ buffet, depending on your choice. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Dubai Marina Cruises
I’ve written a whole post about the best Dubai Marina cruises if you have the time to check out more options!
▶️ This Dubai: Sunset or Dinner Cruise with Drinks & Live Music offers the evening of a lifetime as you set sail from one of the prettiest areas of Dubai. You’ll sail along the sparkling coastline of the Marina, passing by landmarks like Ain Wheel and JBR.
All the while a live musician will be setting the ambiance of the tour and you’ll indulge in a delicious international buffet.
The crew will greet you with a non-alcoholic drink, and you can choose to include unlimited beverages, water, tea, and coffee for the journey.
This tour includes: An international dinner buffet by Raddison Blu, wifi on board, a welcome drink, and live music. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: 1-Hour Marina Ain Cruise is a sightseeing experience that stars the famous Ain Dubai wheel. You’ll set sail in the evening, getting to admire the stunning scenery of the city lit up as you cruise past Dubai Marina and JBR.
The glass-enclosed boat features an open-air deck from where to catch the sights of Ain Dubai, and you’ll be served tropical drinks to sip as you take in the views.
The tour is after sunset, but you’ll have the possibility to choose among several starting times.
This tour includes: Wifi on board, drinks, bottled water, and the 1-hour experience. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Best Dhow Cruises in Dubai
▶️ Dhow are the UAE’s traditional boats, and they’re a fantastic way to set sail from Dubai. This Dubai Marina Dhow Sightseeing Cruise gives you the opportunity to board one of the elegant wooden vessels to cruise around Dubai Marina.
You’ll pass by the fabulous skyscrapers the neighborhood is so famous for, as well as the Dubai Mall and Ain wheel, in a single hour. It’s ideal for those with little time in town.
This tour includes: A sightseeing cruise and refreshments. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Experience the sights and flavors of the city on this luxury Dubai: Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfers along the Dubai Water Canal. Board a glass-encased dhow boat, the traditional boat.
Upon arrival, you’ll be treated to a welcome drink and an assortment of chilled refreshments and dates.
Feast on a 5-star international buffet with live stations as you glide past iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Festival City Mall. You’ll get a unique perspective on the city’s bustling atmosphere.
This tour includes: Coffee, an international buffet, and the possibility to include roundtrip hotel transfers and unlimited beverages. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: Water Canal Cruise and La Perle Show with Dinner takes you sailing along the city’s coastline in a luxury boat. You’ll relish a delicious international buffet aboard while gliding past the sparkling landmarks.
After the cruise, attend the astounding La Perle Show, which features out-of-this-world acrobatic feats, aquatic performances, and high-tech that makes gravity-defying acts possible.
You’ll be given a Silver Pass for the show, and have the option to book a return transfer to your hotel after it.
This tour includes: Cruise, buffet dinner, tickets to La Perle, and, if selected, pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Speedboat Dubai Tours
▶️ For adrenaline lovers, one of the best options is this thrilling 90-minute Dubai Speedboat Tour: Marina, Atlantis, Palm & Burj Al Arab.
Departing from the Marina, this round-trip journey will take you past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Dubai Eye, Palm Jumeirah, The Atlantis, and The Burj Al Arab.
You’ll also get to see the famous Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, and the Harbour Project. With an English-speaking guide on hand to share fun facts about each stop, this tour is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
This tour includes: Live commentary, photo opportunities, bottled water, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ A great alternative if you’re traveling with a group is the Marina Private Boat Tour. You’ll board a speedboat to go sightseeing around Palm Jumeirah and the Marina.
The tour takes you past the major landmarks in the city, and includes photo stops to admire them from up close and get some memorable snaps.
Choose the length of your tour, and play your own tunes through the boat’s speakers. It’s a private experience after all, so you’re the boss!
This tour includes: Private speedboat with captain and crew, water, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Yacht Tours in Dubai
▶️ The Dubai: Mega Yacht Cruise with Buffet Dinner offers a beautiful opportunity to enjoy the panoramic sights of Dubai in complete luxury.
While sailing along Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, the city’s Ferris Wheel, and other major landmarks, you’ll get to witness your dinner being made at the live cooking stations.
You’ll then indulge in a buffet dinner with non-alcoholic drinks, and relax by the yacht’s pool as you take in the views.
This tour includes: Return cruise in a luxury yacht, buffet dinner, and drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Dubai Marina Yacht Cruise departs multiple times a day, allowing you to choose either breakfast, lunch, or dinner to enjoy aboard.
You’ll sail past Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s most famous hotel, Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, and other city landmarks during the 2-hour cruise.
After indulging in your meal, you can relax on the yacht’s upper deck to marvel at the views, or seek refuge from the heat in the air-conditioned lower deck.
The tour includes a live guide who will point to the attractions and be ready to answer questions should you have them.
This yacht ride from Dubai includes: Unlimited coffee and soft drinks, fruits, and either breakfast, lunch, or BBQ dinner. A tour guide and the return cruise around Dubai are also included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Yacht Tours in Dubai
▶️ Set sail on a luxurious Dubai: Private Yacht Charter from Dubai Marina with a personal skipper. You’ll board a 42-foot gleaming motor yacht, equipped with a spacious sun deck, seating area, comfortable indoor saloon, cabins, a kitchen, and a washroom.
Let the Dubai skyline be your backdrop as you lounge on the sundeck, take a dip in the sea, and bring your own tunes for a truly personalized experience. From Palm Jumeirah to the Burj Al Arab, this is the ultimate way to see the city in style.
And if you’re lucky enough to be on an evening cruise, brace yourself for a dazzling light show of Dubai’s landmarks.
This tour includes: Fishing equipment, towels, a life jacket, and drinking water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Dubai: 2-Hour Private Yacht Cruise around Burj Al Arab is ideal for big groups, as it accommodates up to 20 people. An elegant 48-foot yacht will take you sailing across the Persian Gulf to discover some of the quintessential city sights, including Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and Dubai Marina.
The large sun deck allows you to relax and sunbathe while cruising the city, sipping on complimentary beverages and the food or drinks you decide to take with you.
You can choose the time of day you want to enjoy the cruise, but the evening is one of the most popular moments to marvel at the skyscrapers illuminated for the night.
This tour includes: A private cruise, unlimited water and soft drinks, towels, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sunset Cruise on an Abra
The Dubai: Burj Khalifa Sunset on an Abra is a very romantic experience, taking you on a golden-hour cruise in Dubai’s traditional wooden vessels.
You’ll sail gently alongside the coastline, taking in the views of the city right before the sun sets and witnessing as the skyline lights up for the night.
You’ll get to see the sunset with the Burj Khalifa dominating the scene, and relax to the calming Arabic music that’s played during the trip.
This tour includes: A 1-hour abra ride at sunset, recorded commentary, and complimentary water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
