Hats On, Sails Off! These Boat Tours in Dubai Got Me Dreaming and Sailing
I admit that binge-watching Netflix’s “Dubai Bling” is my guilty pleasure not only because of all that drama but also because of how I can see what it’s like to be living the quintessential Dubai rich lifestyle.
I especially love their yacht parties and dream of one day wearing my espadrilles, maxi dress and massive hat on board one of the yachts sailing around Dubai.
Luckily, I don’t need to be as rich as LJ or Safa to experience this because I can always book one of these boat tours in Dubai.
And believe me, you’ve never truly experienced the beauty of Dubai if you haven’t seen it from the water. Ready to set sail?
Cha Cha Boats
Media Credit: chachaboats
Website: https://chachaboats.com/
Address: Al Seef Creek 25 – B19 Al Seef Street
Contact details: +971 52 102 2224
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Price: $$
What if I tell you that there’s a boat tour in Dubai that lets you experience the city from the water with a hint of the dolce vita lifestyle that Italy is famous for?
I was also surprised when I found out that Cha Cha Boats can give you both experiences at once, so of course, I rushed to book a day trip with them right away.
Oh my, all my expectations were exceeded, which is why I will always recommend them if you want to go sailing in style.
Just imagine boarding a gozzo or traditional Italian boat with all its beautiful wooden features that make it perfect for sailing around the creek, canal and coast of Dubai.
The boat can accommodate up to 7 guests and you’ll have up to 3 hours all to yourself to explore Dubai from the water at your own pace, which is one of the things I love about Cha Cha Boats.
The crew want you to take things slow to really soak in the moment and you can curate your tour to suit your preference, whether it’s going on a culinary tour or just enjoying the views from the water.
Now if you’re wondering what tour packages are available from Cha Cha Boats, here are some of your options:
| Al Seef Creek Tours | 30 Minutes: AED23060 Minutes: AED46090 Minutes: AED690120 Minutes: AED800180 Minutes: AED1,080 |
| Jumeirah Splash Package | 30 Minutes: AED35060 Minutes: AED60090 Minutes: AED900120 Minutes: AED1,050180 Minutes: AED1,560 |
| Dubai Sunset Marasi Canal Architecture Package | 30 Minutes: AED35060 Minutes: AED60090 Minutes: AED900120 Minutes: AED1,050180 Minutes: AED1,560 |
Pro tip:
To make sure that you enjoy the best experience during your boat tour, it’s best to arrive at the marina 20 minutes before your tour schedule. This will give you enough time to be briefed about the tour, enjoy the moment and just not rush anything.
SEE X SEA Creek Harbour
Media Credit: seexsea
Website: https://seexsea.com/
Address: Dubai Creek Harbour
Contact details: +971 50 607 2223
Operating hours:
- 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM daily
Price: $$
If you ever dreamed of boarding one of those luxury yachts that you see docked in Dubai Marina or Dubai Creek Harbour, See x Sea can make that happen for you with some of its best boat tours in Dubai.
What I love about booking with this company is that all of its yachts are top notch, brand new and furnished with everything you need to enjoy a private yachting experience with family and friends.
From luxurious leather seats to a swimming platform and even a surround sound system, I really feel like a true yacht owner whenever I book a boat tour with See x Sea.
Tours here also cover major landmarks in Dubai including Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Creek Harbour, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
Now if you’re wondering how much these tours would cost you, we got you covered with these options:
| Burj Khalifa Tour | 60 Minutes: AED450 – Starts in Dubai Creek Harbour with stops at Ras Al Khor Flamingo Sanctuary, Dubai Design District and Burj Khalifa. |
| Marina Panorama Tour | 60 Minutes: AED450 – A tour around Dubai Marina covering its major landmarks. |
| Sea Breeze Serenity and Palm Sea Odyssey Tour | 80 Minutes: AED600 – A tour around Dubai’s coastline with stops at major landmarks like Jumeirah Beach Residence, Atlantis the Palm, Dubai marina, Dubai Harbour, Ain Dubai, Atlantis the Royal and Rixos Hotel depending on your preferred option. |
| Dubai’s Water Wonders Tour | 90 Minutes: AED650 – A tour taking you around top landmarks by the water starting in Dubai Creek Harbour and running along the Dubai Water Canal. |
| Palm Jumeirah Discovery Tour and Skyline Romance Tour | 100 Minutes: AED750 – An amazing tour taking you around Ain Dubai, The Lagoon and Jumeirah Beach Residence. The Palm Jumeirah Discovery Tour will then take you to see Atlantis the Royal and Atlantis the Palm while the Skyline Romance Tour will let you see Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Harbour up close. |
| Dubai’s Iconic Coastline Tour | 120 Minutes: AED900 – A relaxing tour along Dubai’s coastline exploring Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, Atlantis the Palm, Atlantis the Royal and Burj Al Arab. |
| The Canal Cruise Tour | 120 Minutes: AED900 – A tour taking you through the Dubai Water Canal with stops at the Ras Al Khor Flamingo Sanctuary, Dubai Design District, Burj Khalifa, Marasi Marina, Tolerance Bridge, Dubai Fountain Bridge and Dubai Creek Harbour. |
| Golden Pathway Tour | 150 Minutes: AED1,100 – The most iconic tour covering the major landmarks around Dubai from the water including the Dubai Design District, Ras Al Khor Flamingo Sanctuary, Marasi Marina, Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Beach and Burj Al Arab. |
Pro tip:
With all the amazing tour options offered by See x Sea, it’s best to do your research first so you can book a tour that will have stops at the landmarks that you want to see.
Dreams Boats
Media Credit: dreamsboats
Website: https://dreamsboats.ae/
Address: Al Jaddaf Waterfront – Jaddaf Waterfront
Contact details: +971 56 404 8880
Operating hours:
- 4:00 PM to 11:00 Pm daily
Price: $$
Cruising on board Dreams Boats is exactly that – a dream! In fact, I would highly recommend this boat tour in Dubai if you want to treat family and friends to a VIP experience.
It’s also a great way to impress someone on a first date, thanks to the red carpet welcome, the beautiful boats and yes, the floating cafe that comes with your tour.
You’re not boarding a typical boat or yacht here because each boat from Dreams Boats is designed to feel like a floating cafe where you’ll be served Gahwa or traditional Arabic coffee or tea, some nuts, dates and chips that you can munch on as you cruise away.
For AED650, you’ll be treated to the most beautiful panoramic views of Dubai from the water as you enjoy your snacks and the company of up to 6 people.
Pro tip:
Do you want to try Dreams Boats but you’re on a budget? Book early and you could enjoy the tour for only AED450 for up to 2 persons and AED550 for 3 or more guests.
Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina
Media Credit: dhowcruisedubaimarina
Website: https://www.dhowdubai.com/
Address: West Bay – Berth A11 – Yacht Club – Dubai Marina
Contact details: +971 52 899 6310
Operating hours:
- 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily
Price: $$
In my opinion, you haven’t truly visited Dubai until you’ve tried cruising on a traditional dhow. Plus, this boat tour in Dubai is more budget-friendly than booking a private yacht, but you’re still getting the same magical experience.
There are many dhow cruise operators in the city but the one in Dubai Marina is our favourite.
Boarding on a dhow, the same boat that was used by fishermen in the early days of Dubai, is truly an experience like no other.
Sailing along the creek and canal also lets you see landmarks from a different perspective, and the slow motion of the boat allows you to really soak up the views and marvel at everything that you’re seeing.
And if you ever get hungry during the cruise, don’t worry because a sumptuous buffet dinner awaits you. I love their selection of Arabic and international dishes that offer a glimpse to the city’s culture.
The Tanoura dance shows also add to the spectacle of it all, so you can expect a night of just pure culture, good food and fun.
In fact, I love doing these cruises so much that I book them at least once a month! And why not when a two-hour cruise with a buffet dinner only costs around AED99 per person. How amazing is that?
Pro tip:
Dhow cruises can easily get packed, especially during the winter season when more tourists are visiting Dubai. So if you want to secure your spot, make sure that you’re booking a slot ahead of time.
The Black Boats Speed Boat Tours
Media Credit: theblackboats
Website: https://theblackboats.com/
Address: Vida Hotel – Yacht Club – Dubai Marina
Contact details: +971 52 479 8883
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Price: $$$
While I love to take things slow sometimes, I must admit that I also crave speed every now and then. And when I do, I always book The Black Boats for a unique Dubai boat tour onboard a speed boat.
I love the feeling of speeding around the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Water Canal. So if you’re craving for adventure, this is the perfect boat tour to book.
The Black Boats also offer several tour options to cater to different preferences:
| Atlantis Tour (60 Minutes) | Adult: AED145Child: AED110Private AED1,400 – A tour visiting the Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Skydive Dubai and Palm Jumeirah |
| Burj Al Arab Tour (100 Minutes) | Adult: AED230Child: AED170Private: AED2,000 – A tour visiting the Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Skydive Dubai, Atlantis the Palm, Atlantis the Royal and Burj Al Arab |
| Dubai Marina Canal Tour (45 Minutes) | Private: AED450 – A tour visiting Skydive Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Bluewaters Island and Dubai Marina |
Pro tip:
If you want to enjoy the speed boat tour more privately, you can pay premium for an exclusive tour where only you and your guests will be accommodated on the boat during your tour schedule.