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From a fishing village to an economic gulf tiger, Dubai has transformed into a metropolis of skyscrapers like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai One Tower and the Burj Al Arab. Aside from this, land reclamation projects are continuously on the go like the Palm islands of Jumeirah and Jebel Ali.
But its not just about engineering marvels and architectural wonders that drive tourists in. Fronting the Arabian Gulf, Dubai has a ton of ocean activities. If you want to see this dazzling city from the water, these are the best boat trips and ocean activates to enjoy.
Ocean Activities in Dubai: At a Glance
- Parasailing in Jumeirah Beach
- Jet Ski along Burj Al Arab
- Palm Jumeirah Speed Boat Tour
- Self Drive Boat Tour inside Palm Jumeirah
- Fly Fishing in Dubai Marina
- Flyboard Adventure
- Dubai City Vehicle and Kayak Tour
- Scuba Diving in the Arabian Gulf
- Aquaventure in Atlantis Water Park
- Zipline over Dubai Marina
Ocean Activities in Dubai: Reviewed
Parasailing in Jumeirah Beach
Duration: 1 hr
Jumeirah beach is a narrow stretch of white sand that is loaded with luxury resorts and hotels. While land tours can take you to these establishment, there is a unique tour that gives a wide panorama from high above and that’s through parasailing.
From Dubai Marina, you will hop onboard a speedboat and cruise towards the Arabian Gulf. Once out at sea, you will be tethered to a chute and ascend up in the air. At 150 meters (500 feet) high, the view is stunning and the gigantic structures of Palm Jumeirah is dwarfed under your suspended feet.
Jet Ski along Burj Al Arab
Duration: 1 hr
Towering at 321 meters high, the Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world. Being Dubai’s most iconic hotel, it is frequently visited by tourists, and for us, the best way to drop by is through a jet ski. With its coastal location, passing nearby this megastructure will dwarf any experience you had in the past. And what’s best with this jet ski ride is that you can see other attractions along the Dubai’s waterfront, like the Palm islands and the 828-meter tall Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world.
Palm Jumeirah Speed Boat Tour
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Traveling at 30 knots, this speed boat tour allows you to cruise around Palm Jumeirah with a pass-by at 3 of Dubai’s coastal icons. From Dubai marina, slowly traverse in a waterway that leads to towering Ferris wheel of Ain Dubai. Once out in the open sea, engines start to roar for a high speed cruise encircling Palm Jumeirah and passing by the Burj Al Arab.
Self Drive Boat Tour inside Palm Jumeirah
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Boating is a popular ocean activity in Dubai. But instead of just being a passenger, how about driving your own boat and become a ship captain. Well, technically it is a small boat that can carry 2 persons. In this tour, you and your friend will cruise inside the confines of Palm Jumeirah. All you need to do is follow your lead boat and see the towering icons of Dubai. Just be aware that, while no license is required, you must be at least 18 years old to drive the boat.
Fly Fishing in Dubai Marina
Duration: 0.25 hrs
No, you’re not fishing and this tour is similar to a banana boat ride. Instead of an inflatable banana boat, you will ride on a water sled that looks like a fish, and is towed by a boat. As you are towed and the speed increases, make sure to hold on tight as the sled will take flight a few inches above the water.
Flyboard Adventure
Duration: 0.5 hrs
With skyscrapers littered along the city, altitude is synonymous with Dubai. But do you know there’s an ocean activity in Dubai that will blast you up in the air?
In this flyboarding adventure, your feet will be strapped to a board that is connected to the nozzle of a jet ski. Once throttled, a blast of water is released under the board, forcing you to go up 20 meters high in the air.
Dubai City Vehicle and Kayak Tour Combo
Duration: 6 hrs
Are you wishing for a comprehensive tour in Dubai that takes you to visit both land and the ocean? Then go for the Dubai City Vehicle and Kayak Tour Combo. Boarding on an airconditioned vehicle, you will take a city tour and your first stop will be at the Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Fort. Passing by Dubai creek, your next stop is the Jumeirah Mosque which is open for all tourists. After the land excursion, you will head on a kayak tour along Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach.
Scuba Diving in the Arabian Gulf
Duration: 3 hrs
Whether you are a certified diver or a newbie wishing to explore the underwater world, then Dubai can fulfill that wish for you. For experienced divers, you can go pinnacle diving in Martini Rock or wreck diving in Zainab which is a 1,300 tonner cargo vessel lying at 20 meters deep. For newbies, the confines of Jumeirah Beach would be a perfect place for you to interact with lots of tropical reef fish like damselfish, butterfish and angelfish.
Aquaventure in Atlantis Water Park
Duration: 4 hrs
Seated at the tip of Palm Jumeirah with a nice view of the Arabian Sea, the Atlantis is a 17 hectare waterpark that is known for aquaventure attractions. Choose whether to go in the world’s largest circumference water ride, slide in shark-filled lagoons, twin racing in tube rides or fly high over the longest zipline in the Middle East.
Zipline over Dubai Marina
Duration: 3 hrs
Most of your ocean tours in Dubai starts in the Marina. If you want to see the beauty of upscale neighborhood with their luxury yacht, then go on a high wire adventure on world’s longest urban zipline. With a half kilometer-long twin line, you can fly high above the marina with a speed reaching 80kph.