How much to rent a yacht in Dubai: 2026 prices by boat size

How much does it cost to rent a yacht in Dubai?

In November 2026 a private yacht in Dubai costs from about AED 400 an hour for a 35 to 40 ft boat to AED 2,500 an hour or more for a 90 ft yacht, always for the whole boat with a captain and crew. The size of the boat sets the price more than anything else, followed by the season and how many hours you book.

These are “from” rates on two booking sites, checked on 2 November 2026. Octane lists in dirhams; OneClickDrive lists in US dollars and shows discounted prices next to struck-through full ones.

Checked 2 November 2026. Prices are for the whole boat, before extras.

The two sites differ a lot on the bigger boats, partly because OneClickDrive’s prices carry discounts of 10 to 36 percent. Treat the lower figures as sale prices that can change from week to week. As a cross-check, Arabian Adventures listed a two-hour private charter on a 62 ft yacht for up to 25 guests, from Dubai Harbour, from AED 2,700.

Work out the real cost by multiplying the hourly rate by the minimum booking. A 50 ft boat at AED 1,000 an hour with a three-hour minimum is AED 3,000 before extras; split between 12 guests, that is about AED 250 each. Xclusive Yachts names November to February as peak season and advises booking ahead then.

What is the minimum booking for a yacht in Dubai?

Most Dubai yachts must be booked for at least two or three hours. Octane sets a three-hour minimum across its listings, OneClickDrive’s boats need two or three hours depending on the yacht, and Xclusive Yachts says two hours is the usual minimum.

A few operators sell a one-hour cruise, which is enough for a loop of Dubai Marina and Ain Dubai but not much more. If you see a low hourly price, check the minimum before you compare it with anything else.

What is included in the price, and what costs extra?

The hourly rate normally covers the boat, the captain and crew, fuel for the standard route, soft drinks, water and ice. Octane also lists insurance, and Xclusive Yachts lists life jackets and a Bluetooth sound system as standard.

Expect to pay extra for:

• Food. Catering and BBQ packages are add-ons; some operators let you bring your own, so ask.
• Alcohol. Some operators sell drinks packages, and only boats with a permit may serve it.
• Water toys. Jet skis, inflatables and paddleboards are priced separately, where offered.
• Decorations and a photographer for birthdays and proposals.
• Hotel transfers.
• A security deposit. Xclusive Yachts’ terms ask for a card pre-authorisation of AED 2,000 to AED 10,000, depending on the yacht.

Cancellation terms vary widely. Octane and Arabian Adventures refund in full if you cancel 72 hours or more ahead, while Xclusive Yachts keeps half the charter fee for private charters cancelled with 72 hours’ notice. Read them before you pay a deposit.

Which landmarks can you see in one, two or three hours?

Time on the water decides how far you get. From Dubai Marina, one hour covers the Marina towers, JBR and Ain Dubai on Bluewaters; two hours adds the Palm and Atlantis; three reaches Burj Al Arab and back; four leaves time for a long swim stop. That is how Khat Tours plans its charters from the Marina.

Some boats leave from Dubai Harbour instead, next to the Palm. Routes always depend on the sea and on Coast Guard approval on the day, and the Dubai Maritime Authority bans jet skis and other watersports craft inside the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Harbour areas without the area manager’s approval.

Can you swim from a yacht in Dubai?

Yes, at a swim stop in daylight, where the captain anchors in a permitted spot. The Dubai Maritime Authority requires a certified lifeguard on board any boat running swimming activities, so ask if yours carries one.

Xclusive Yachts’ terms say the Coast Guard does not tolerate swimming after sunset or more than three metres from the boat, and the company bans jumping off the yacht, whether it is moving or at anchor. Its terms quote an AED 5,000 fine for swimming outside permitted times.

If a swim matters to you, book a longer charter and confirm the stop in advance. Khat Tours, for example, only includes a swim stop on its three- and four-hour cruises.

What are the rules on a yacht in Dubai?

The rules come from the Dubai Maritime Authority’s Circular No. 13 of 2026, issued on 5 March 2026, plus each operator’s own terms.

• Licensed boats only. Using an unlicensed or expired boat is banned, and commercial operators need a marine activity permit. If in doubt, ask to see the permit.
• Capacity. The boat may not carry more passengers than its licence allows, so count every guest, children included.
• Life jackets. Children aged 10 and under must wear one whenever they are outside the cabin on a yacht sailing beyond inland waters, and everyone must wear one in an emergency or bad weather. Some operators go further: Arabian Adventures asks all under-12s to wear one.
• Alcohol. Selling or serving alcohol on board without a permit is banned, and the person steering may not be under the influence.
• Noise. Loud music is banned on boats in or near residential areas.
• ID. Every guest needs a passport or Emirates ID. Octane requires the person booking to be at least 21.
• Weather. Captains must plan around the forecast, and trips sail subject to Coast Guard approval.

How do you book a good yacht in Dubai?

1. Count your group, then choose a boat licensed for that number, not the biggest one in the photos.
2. Compare the hourly rate times the minimum hours, not the headline rate.
3. Ask exactly what is included: fuel for which route, which drinks, towels and life jackets for children.
4. Confirm the pier. Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour are separate marinas with separate entrances.
5. Ask whether the boat is permitted to serve alcohol and whether a lifeguard is on board for the swim stop.
6. Read the cancellation and weather terms, and get them in writing.
7. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early with original ID for everyone.

Booking a private yacht through Yalla Dunes

Yalla Dunes sells private charters run by Khat Tours from Dubai Marina or Dubai Harbour, depending on the boat, priced for the whole boat with up to 12 guests, captain and crew. Each one includes soft drinks, water and ice, a Bluetooth sound system and life jackets for adults and children. You can bring your own food or ask for catering, and hotel transfers can be added for a fee.

Pick the length that fits your route: the 1-hour Marina cruise past JBR and Ain Dubai, the 2-hour Palm and Atlantis cruise, the 3-hour Burj Al Arab cruise with a swim stop, or the 4-hour cruise with a long swim and time to eat on board. The tour card below shows the current price.

For a cheaper evening on the water, compare a dhow dinner cruise, see every other option in Dubai on the water, and check the best time to visit Dubai before you pick a date.