Dubai on the water: boat tours, cruises and ferries

Dubai grew up around a creek and a long coastline, so getting on the water is easy and can cost almost nothing. A public abra still crosses Dubai Creek for a dirham, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) runs water taxis and ferries at fixed fares, and private companies sell everything from dinner dhows to superyachts.

What boat tours can you take in Dubai?

You can ride a public abra, water taxi or ferry, join a shared dhow dinner cruise or speedboat tour, or hire a private yacht with a captain. The table shows who each one suits and roughly what it costs.

Checked 2 November 2026. Public fares come from the RTA marine transport page and the RTA Dubai Ferry flyer for September 2026. Dhow prices are from Dhow Cruise in Dubai and Dhow Cruise Dubai Harbour, the speedboat fare from The Yellow Boats listing, and yacht rates from Octane’s Dubai listings.

Which boat trip should you choose?

Choose by budget, group size and time of day. Public boats are the best value for a couple or a family on their own; a private yacht only starts to make sense when a group splits the hourly rate.

The abra is the place to start if you have an hour in Old Dubai. The crossing takes minutes and drops you by the spice and gold souks. It is also part of the half-day Dubai city tour, which includes the ticket.

The RTA water taxi hops between four stops inside Dubai Marina, and the Dubai Ferry runs longer routes: Al Ghubaiba to the Dubai Canal, the Canal to Bluewaters and Marina Mall, a round trip from Marina Mall, and a run to the Sharjah Aquarium. Under-fives ride free on most ferry routes. For how the boats fit with the metro and buses, see getting around Dubai.

A dhow dinner cruise is the evening classic: two hours on a wooden boat with a buffet and usually a Tanoura dance show. Creek cruises pass the old trading port; Marina cruises sail past the towers and Ain Dubai. Our guide to dhow cruises in Dubai compares them, and the dhow dinner cruise can be booked with a hotel transfer.

Speedboat tours are short and fast, and the 99-minute route runs from the Marina past the Palm and Atlantis to Burj Al Arab. They are not for everyone: The Yellow Boats says its tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, people with back problems or anyone under 120 cm tall. The speedboat tour guide compares the shared routes with hiring a private boat. A jet ski covers the same coast with you at the handlebars, behind an instructor; rides leave the Umm Suqeim fishing harbour for Burj Al Arab, and the jet ski guide has the prices and the rules.

A private yacht gives you the boat, captain and crew for your group alone. Many operators set a minimum of two or three hours. The yacht rental prices guide breaks down hourly rates by boat size, and you can book a two-hour cruise to the Palm and Atlantis or a longer trip with a swim stop.

What about Dubai’s beaches?

If you only want to swim, you don’t need a boat. Dubai Municipality runs the public beaches, including Jumeirah 1 and 2 and Al Mamzar, and in March 2026 it listed Umm Suqeim 1 and Jumeirah 3 as its night beaches, both covered by trained lifeguards (Dubai Media Office). Kite Beach is the one for watersports, with Burj Al Arab in view.

What safety rules apply on Dubai boats?

On RTA boats, children under 12 must travel with an adult and wear a life jacket. On private yachts, the Dubai Maritime Authority’s March 2026 circular requires life jackets for children aged 10 and under whenever they are outside the cabin at sea, and bans unlicensed boats. Carry a passport or Emirates ID for every guest on a private boat or speedboat tour, and expect trips to be moved when the Coast Guard closes the sea.