Looking into the best Dubai boat tours to set sail on your next visit? The sight of Dubai’s coastline is certainly worth leaving land for! Check out the best options available in this post.
Dubai is known for its glitz and glamour, but have you ever considered experiencing it from the water? Imagine gliding past the towering skyscrapers, taking in the sights of the iconic Palm Islands and the Burj Al Arab, all while sipping on a cold drink and feeling the sea breeze in your hair.
I used to be a resident in Dubai, and seeing Dubai from the water was one of my favorite things to do in the city!
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, just sit back, relax, and let the local skipper take you on a journey you’ll never forget.
I usually use Get Your Guide and Viator when booking tours in my travels, and I especially recommend them because of their great cancelation policy. If you book an activity but your travel plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance and get a full redund on most experiences.
So put on your sunscreen, pack your camera, and get ready to set sail on one of these fantastic Dubai boat tours!
THE 3 Best Dubai Boat Tours
➤ See the beautiful landmarks of Dubai from the comfort of a yacht! In this Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ you’ll be treated to a red-carpet welcome as you board, and then it’s smooth sailing from there.
As you glide past the Dubai Marina, the famous hotel Burj Al Arab, and more, you can relax on the spacious upper deck or air-conditioned lower deck.
And when it’s time to satisfy your hunger, choose between a hearty breakfast or a BBQ feast. With free Wi-Fi and top-notch hospitality from the qualified crew, this Dubai Marina yacht cruise has everything you need for a fantastic day on the water.
This tour includes: A virtual tour guide, life jacket, and a light breakfast or BBQ buffet, depending on your choice. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ For adrenaline lovers, one of the best Dubai Marina boat tours is this thrilling 90-minute Speedboat Tour. 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
➤ Experience the sights and flavors of the city on this luxury Dubai Marina Boat Ride 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
Best Dubai Marina Cruises
➤ This Dinner Cruise Dubai Marina 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 if the option is chosen you’ll also get unlimited beverages, water, tea, and coffee during the whole of your Dubai Marina yacht tour.
This Dubai Marina cruise dinner includes: An international dinner buffet by Raddison Blu, wifi on board, a welcome drink, and live music. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The 1-Hour Marina Ain Cruise is a sighstseeing experience which stars the famous Ain Dubai wheel. You’ll set sail after sunset, 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 boat cruise in Dubai includes: Wifi on board, drinks, bottled water, and the 1-hour experience. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ For a fun day out enjoying the sunshine, jumping into the water, and savoring a tasty meal on board, check out the Sailing Tour with BBQ and Swimming.
You’ll choose your departure time, which can be either at midday or sunset, and set sail to discover the city from afar, passing by major landmarks like Burj Al Arab and Ain Dubai.
There will be time for swimming and relaxing on deck with a complimentary soda, as well as a delicious BBQ lunch or dinner aboard the cruise.
This tour includes: The sailing cruise, refreshments, and BBQ meal. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Yacht Tours in Dubai
➤ Set sail on a luxurious Private Yacht Charter Adventure with a personal skipper on 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 the Palm Island 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, life jacket, and drinking water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you think the purpose of going on a boat trip is having an utterly relaxing day, then the right tour for you is probably the Sea Cruise with Swimming and Sightseeing. You’ll board a luxury boat and go sightseeing along the Dubai coastline, stopping in front of some major landmarks to admire them from up close.
You’ll also have time to work on your tan and swim in the Persian Gulf, and it’s possible to choose between a 1-hour or 2-hour cruise for extra time in the water. As a plus, it’s allowed to take your own picnic basket aboard to enjoy a meal and drinks as you sail past the city.
This private boat tour in Dubai includes: A sightseeing cruise, water, soft drinks, and lifejackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The 2-Hour Private Yacht Cruise 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: Private cruise, unlimited water and soft drinks, towels, and life jacket. ➥ 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 Dhow Sightseeing Cruise gives you the opportunity of boarding 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 an astounding Dhow cruise in Dubai Marina and ideal for those with little time in town.
This tour includes: The sightseeing cruise, and refreshments. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The Royal Dinner Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina is a 2-hour experience that enables you to marvel at the lit up coastline of the Marina, one of the most beautiful sights in Dubai. While cruising, you’ll also be enjoying live music and indulging in a scrumptious international dinner.
The wooden vessel boasts an outdoor rooftop where you can savor your meal with unrestricted views of the surroundings, and appreciate the cooler breeze of Dubai evenings (if you visit in the winter!)
This tour includes: Transfers from selected hotels, dinner, and cruise. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ The Water Canal Cruise takes you sailing along Dubai’s coastline in a luxury boat, and includes a delicious international buffet aboard that you’ll be able to enjoy while gliding past the city landmarks.
After the cruise, you’ll attend the astounding La Perle Show, which features out-of-this-world acrobatic feats, aquatic performances and high-tech that makes gravity-fefying 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
➤ To marvel at the views of Dubai Marina’s attractions in the daylight, I suggest the Marina Landmarks Speedboat Tour. You’ll zip along the coastline as a guide offers live commentary on the sights you pass by, which include Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis hotel, Dubai Marina, and the JBR Walk, among others.
You’ll also enjoy photo stops in front of some of them, and get complimentary bottled water to keep you hydrated during the tour.
This tour includes: Life jackets, a live guide, and the sightseeing speedboat tour. ➥ 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, getting to choose the length of your tour and having the possibility to play your own music through the boat’s speakers. It’s a private experience after all!
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.
This tour includes: Private speedboat with captain and crew, water, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Yacht Tours in Dubai
➤ The 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 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
Parasailing Adventure & Boat Ride Dubai
This Parasailing Adventure is ideal for thrill-seekers. You’ll get to admire the skyline of Dubai from above, soaring up to 500 feet over the Persian Gulf and getting unique views of the city landmarks.
Besides the parasailing experience, for which you’ll be able to count on the instructors aboard, you’ll also get to enjoy a relaxing boat ride with music and stellar views.
This tour includes: Parasailing activity, tips from instructors, and the boat ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Self-Drive Boat Tour in Dubai
Feel like driving your own speedboat in Dubai? You can do that too. The Hero OdySEA Self Drive Boat Tour provides everything you need to jump in front of the wheel and head into the Persian Gulf for a thrilling experience.
You’ll follow a guide to discover the best views from the water and make stops in front of some major landmarks, like the Atlantis hotel and the impressive man-made island Palm Jumeirah, and you can opt for single or double boats to take a passenger with you.
This tour includes: Self drive boats, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
A Boat Tour Perfect for Kids
Traveling with your kids? Then the Black Pearl Sightseeing Cruise should be a no-brainer. It’s a very fun tour for adults as well, by the way. The pirate-themed ship sails along areas of Dubai where not many cruises go, including the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Business Bay, and the Dubai Canal.
You’ll get to see a new perspective of the city, and get great photo opportunities with the masts and hull of the ship and the beautiful sights you’ll pass by.
This boat trip in Dubai includes: Sailing in a pirate ship, snacks, soda, and water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Sunset Cruise on an Abra
Burj Khalifa Sunset Cruise Dubai 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 abra ride in Dubai includes: A 1-hour abra ride at sunset, recorded commentary, and complimentary water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Day Trip to Musandam
The Musandam Khasab Day Trip is a magnificent excursion from Dubai, and it’s even more enjoyable when paired with a dhow cruise on the idyllic peninsula.
Despite being on Dubai’s mainland, Musandam Peninsula is actually part of Oman, and it offers gorgeous scenery that has been compared to Norway’s fjords. The full-day tour includes a very picturesque drive to Musandam Khasab, a cruise along its coastline, and snorkeling in Telegraph Island, besides a scrumptious buffet lunch.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers to Oman, a dhow cruise in the Musandam Peninsula, snorkeling equipment, buffet lunch, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Boat Tours in Dubai FAQ
The cost of a Dubai yacht tour will depend on the type of tour you choose and its duration, but they start at around $20.
Yes. If you’d like to cruise along Dubai’s coastline, you can either join a boat tour or get a private yacht to sail with your friends.
In our opinion, these are the ultimate boat trips in Dubai:
• Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ
• Speedboat Tour Dubai
• Luxury Dubai Water Canal Cruise
If you’d like to set sail with your own group, you can book a Private Yacht Charter Adventure that includes a personal skipper and fantastic facilities, and offers a tailored and very personalized experienced.
