Not for the Faint-Hearted: The Most Exciting Activities in Dubai
When every day just drags on, sometimes I feel like giving in to my spontaneous urges—leaving the house, starting the car, knocking on my friends’ doors one by one, changing our identities, and finding some excitement elsewhere.
But we can’t just go chasing after one-time thrills, like driving off a cliff, parkouring in buildings, or other risky ventures that could end very badly. We’ve figured out we need experiences that get our hearts racing but still keep us safe when the day’s done.
That’s why we’ve hunted down the most accessible, thrilling things to do in Dubai. So whenever we need a sudden boost of adrenaline, we’re all set. Check out these cool options and add them to your daredevil itinerary too!
What adventure activities can I do in Dubai?
There are many adventure activities you can do in Dubai. Some of the best experiences involve skydiving, rock climbing, sandboarding, hopping on a hot air balloon, or even car racing—it’s all here!
Skydive into Dubai for an Epic Freefall
Media from skydivedubai
Website: http://www.skydivedubai.ae/
Address: Al Seyahi St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 4 377 8888
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 2:30 PM
Fees:
- Solo – AED 1,199
- Tandem Dives – Starts at AED 1,899 (The Desert Dropzone)
- Tandem Dives – Starts at AED 2,599 (The Palm Dropzone)
Looking for a thrill or want to face your fear of heights? Skydive Dubai is the place to be! It offers tandem and solo skydiving, complete with photos and videos, plus gyrocopter (a mix between a helicopter and a plane) tours.
For us, there are tons of amazing spots to check out in Dubai. Still, we think seeing the incredible Palm Jumeirah from the sky is a totally unique experience!
Don’t worry, just trust the professionals or tandem instructors and follow their guidelines closely—you’ll be all set and land with all of your body parts intact!
Pro tip:
If you don’t mind a bit of heat (with lots of wind) when skydiving in Dubai, we recommend choosing to jump over Palm Jumeirah around noon to get the best eagle view of the city.
Also, keep in mind that the wait at Skydive Dubai can be short or long, depending on the weather. To save time, we feel it’s best to fill out your waiver online before you go.
Splash and Dash by Flyboarding
Media from nemo_watersports_dubai
Website: https://www.dubai-jetski.com/
Address: Fishing Harbour – Jumeirah St – Umm Suqeim – Umm Suqeim 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 50 471 7002, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 7 PM
Fees:
- Starts at AED 350
If you’re ready to swap flying in the sky for gliding over water (and back), you could rent a flyboard at Nemo WaterSports for your next big thrill.
Before you know it, you’ll be up in the air! The flyboard here gets its power from a tube linked to a jet ski. We’re in awe that you could even reach heights of 10 meters above the water near the Burj Al Arab!
Brave souls can go higher, but we reckon that’s a tough ask for newbies. Naturally, they’ll give you a quick rundown before you start. Just make sure you’re ready for the rush because we think this watersport isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Pro tip:
Remember to wear snug-fitting swimwear when flyboarding in Dubai to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions during your adventure. You’ll thank yourself later!
Surf the Dunes with a Sandboard
Media from arabianadventures
Website: https://www.arabian-adventures.com/ae/english
Address: Emirates Holidays Building – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 800 272 2426, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Fees:
- Starts at AED 349
If you don’t mind a bit of sand in your hair and eyes, sandboarding is an exciting way to go down Dubai’s sandy desert. For us, this is also a way to appreciate the soft, magnificent dunes as you glide down in style.
We think snowboarders wouldn’t have a hard time getting into the adventure since their shoes would be strapped onto a suitable sandboard. You’ll be safely briefed and wear protection with helmets, elbow pads, and keen pads, so there’s no need to worry.
After that, you can watch colourful dance performances and ride on an adorable camel for the complete desert experience! On top of that, we appreciate that you can get a light and refreshing meal at the campsite after exerting all that energy.
Pro tip:
To make sure you capture your sandboarding moments perfectly, it’s good to bring a GoPro or a similar action camera. It will keep your hands free since you can mount it on your helmet or strap it to your chest.
Float on Cloud Nine in a Hot Air Balloon
Media from balloonadventures_dubai
Website: https://www.balloon-adventures.com/
Address: CONTROL TOWER – 1303 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 4 440 9827, [email protected]
Fees:
- Adults – AED 1,350
- Child – AED 1,100
Hot air ballooning is a bucket-list adventure for a lot of people in Dubai, and we believe it’s best to share it with loved ones. It’s also a hit with travellers because you get an amazing bird’s-eye view of the city before you explore the spots one by one.
Your day kicks off with a pickup from Dubai in a cool, air-conditioned car. You’ll also enjoy an awesome drone show while munching on dates and sipping Arabic coffee. Then, as the sun rises, we bet it will feel like a fairy tale come to life!
Whether you’re planning a romantic date or a unique proposal, we say getting a private hot air balloon flight here is a great choice! By the end of the day, you may also purchase your flight video, so you can keep these memories for a long time.
Pro tip:
We suggest dressing in layers for hot air ballooning in Dubai! It can be chilly in the morning, but you’ll warm up quickly once the sun comes out. This way, you can easily adjust your clothing during the flight.
Wave Hello to Thrills at a Waterpark
Media from aquaventureworld
Website: https://www.aquaventureworld.com/
Address: Atlantis The Palm – Crescent Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 4 426 0000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:45 AM to 6:30 PM
Fees:
- Annual Pass – Bronze Trident – AED 995
- Annual Pass – Silver Trident – AED 1,195
- Annual Pass – Gold Trident – AED 1,495
- Aquaventure Season Pass (90 days) – AED 795
Should you have kids coming along with you, one of the coolest places to take them is Aquaventure Waterpark. With more than 105 slides and attractions, we believe you won’t run out of things to do—there’s also a splash area for everyone to just have fun!
We also love Poseidon’s Revenge, a huge 6-seater tube waterslide that’s full of exciting twists and turns. Or if you’re up for more thrills, try the Leap of Faith. You’ll plunge from a 9-story-high waterslide, doing a vertical drop right through a shark-filled lagoon!
But if you want, there are plenty of less intense attractions, like Shark Attack, where you take an inner tube ride into the centre of Neptune Tower. Or we bet you might enjoy River Rapids and Splashers Mountain for some carefree fun and splashes!
Pro tips:
If you’re not confident about wearing the right swimwear at Aquaventure Waterpark, we encourage wearing cycling shorts and a rashguard for more comfort.
We also suggest bringing your own towels to the waterpark so you don’t have to rent one for AED 45.
Reach New Peaks of Fun with Rock Climbing
Media from mountainextremedxb
Website: http://www.mtnextreme.com/
Address: 56CV+MQC – Al Quoz – Al Quoz 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 4 236 6040, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Fees:
- Drop In – AED 125
- Coaching – AED 250
- Young Climbers Program (from 7 years old) – AED 2,100 per term
- Little Climbers Program (4 to 6 years old) – AED 500
- Memberships – Start at AED 680
Need to gain some muscles? To get that fun, full-body workout, consider checking out rock climbing in Dubai. Places like Mountain Extreme offer indoor climbing for all levels, so we believe this is amazing whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro.
Just a heads-up though, this type of sport demands some strength, flexibility, and endurance. This is especially true in areas like your forearms, biceps, triceps, shoulders, and back. In our opinion, you get perks for being somewhat prepared.
If you’re not, no worries! You can still give it a shot, but just be ready for some potential soreness the next day. Consider yourself warned!
Pro tip:
Feeling hungry after rock climbing? There’s a small cafeteria upstairs in Mountain Extreme near the reception and shop area, with a few snacks to keep you fueled.
Dare to Stroll around the Sky Edge Walk
Media from amyenvoyage
Website: https://www.skywalkdubai.com/
Address: Emaar Square Building 3 – Al Mustaqbal St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Fees:
- Observatory (Adults) – AED 90
- Observatory (Kids) – AED 75
- Edge Walk – AED 499
At the top of the Address Sky View Hotel, thrill-seekers eagerly look forward to walking along the Sky Edge. Even though you’re harnessed up for safety, we bet it’s still not enough to prevent you from feeling on “edge” (pun intended).
But before all that, we really dig going to the Observatory for its amazing views and the cool glass elevator ride with panoramic scenes.
On top of that, we love that visitors get to enjoy awesome 360-degree views of the city’s top spots, like the Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed Road.
Pro tip:
For the Edge Walk, it’s best to wear comfy, modest clothes and closed-toe shoes—no skirts, dresses, high heels, flip flops, or loose footwear for safety and comfort.
Zoom through Dubai as a Car Racer
Media from dubaiautodrome
Website: https://www.dubaiautodrome.ae/
Address: Motor City – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact Details: +971 4 367 8700
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Motor Experiences – Starts at AED 250
- Go-Karting – Starts at AED 125
Does your regular car feel too slow for you sometimes? You should check out car racing at the Dubai Autodrome! We think this is brilliant for getting your adrenaline fix in an Audi TT or feeling the insane power of an Audi R8 V10.
Even kids as young as 12 can get in on the action with the First Drive Experience. In our opinion, it’s a great idea for families and friends to bond over.
And if you’re up for more excitement, we say try the laser tag as well. It’s like a cool, glowing maze straight out of medieval times, awesome for those who want to have a blast until late at night.
Pro tip:
Getting pumped for stuff like car racing in Dubai can mess with your sleep. But remember, it’s important to be both physically and mentally ready to stay focused. Be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep and drink enough water before hitting the track!