Different Types of Cruises in and Around the UAE
The UAE is located in Western Asia surrounded by the Arabian Sea. It has long coastlines filled with gripping natural scenes that provide a number of adventurous activities. Boating and going on a cruise is one of these activities. There are different types of cruising boats used to sail around the UAE, depending on the distance you are covering.
In this guide, we will provide you with complete details about cruises around the UAE, the route they take and the facilities they provide.
Cruises in International Water
The UAE in the Arabian Peninsula is connected with a number of countries through sea and land. You can travel to these places by road like a one day trip from Dubai to Musandam – but for a thrilling adventure, going on a cruise can be a great idea. We have listed a number of cruise deals from the UAE to other countries.

Arabian Gulf Cruise
Cruises in the Arabian Gulf are popular for their short trip covering a greater number of destinations. You can visit the port cities of Iran, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The majority of these port cities are rich in cultural heritage and known for their classic old markets. However, in Doha Qatar, you can enjoy Al-Corniche along the beach and can also visit the Museum of Islamic Art. The cruises from the UAE to Arabian sea promises everything from natural sight to ultra-modern port cities.
Cruise to Oman
Oman has a lot to offer. The number of top weekend road trip places from Dubai is in Oman. However, waterways secure their own position. They provide a breathtaking view of mountain ranges touching the turquoise seawater. Moreover, you can enjoy overnight camping and fishing on the dhow boats at the beaches of Dibba and Kumzar. You can also snorkel with dolphins and other sea creatures at these beaches.
Caribbean International Water Cruise to Barcelona
UAE to Barcelona is a long cruise and will require at least 21 days of sea travel. During these days the ship will cross Oman, Aqaba, Suez Canal, Athens, Naples and Rome. Generally, cruises have night stops in all of these famous cities where you can witness historical sites and shop from centuries-old markets.
Cruise to Muscat
Dubai to Muscat is a short cruise and will take almost 2 days of continuous travelling. The most popular activity during this tour is snorkelling and scuba diving at Daymaniyat Islands. Other than that, you can leverage mesmerizing sandy beaches like Sawadi, Qantab and the famous White Sand beach.
Dhow Cruises
Dhow is a traditional Arab sailing boat carved from wood. These are considered a part of the rich heritage of the UAE. Currently, Dhow cruises in the UAE are a popular tourist attraction. Here we have listed considerable options of Dhow cruise in the UAE.

Dubai
Dubai has a developed marine public transportation system which includes different types and sizes of boats. Dubai Dhow cruise is among one of them and preferred option for exploring Dubai. It provides a mesmerizing view of old and new Dubai. You can avail yourself of different packages to cruise from Dubai, that includes:
- Dhow Cruise Creek
Duration: 2 hr – Fare: AED 55
- Dhow Cruise Marina
Duration: 2 hr – Fare: AED 125
- Charter for Special Events
Duration: 2 hr – Fare (Non-Prime Hours): AED 3,500
(Prime Hours): AED 5000
- Musandam Dibba Tour
Duration: 5 hr – Fare: AED 190
- Dhow Cruise-Dubai City Tour
Duration: 4 hr – Fare: AED 148
- Dhow Cruise in Abu Dhabi
Duration: 2 hr – Fare: AED 300
Other than these, you can also avail from Dubai ferry or rent a private yacht to explore the Arabian Gulf.
Abu Dhabi
The traditional double-decker Dhow is the signature of Abu Dhabi. The traditional Dhow sail around the Emirate, and a considerable option for exploring Abu Dhabi. The sightseeing Dhow departure timings are:
- Tour 1: 12:00 and 16:00
- Tour 2: 10:00 and 14:00
- Tour 3: 09:00, 11:15 and 15:15

Other than traditional, dinner cruises, yacht and speedboat cruise facilities are also available. The dinner cruise and yacht timings are from 08:00 to 10:00 pm.
Boats | Gold Packages (AED) | Platinum Packages (AED) |
---|---|---|
Boats Dinner Dhow Cruise | Gold Packages (AED) Adult: 250-Child (5-10yr): 200 | Platinum Packages (AED) Adult: 300-Child (5-10yr): 200 |
Boats Yacht | Gold Packages (AED) Adult: 240-Child (5-10yr): 150 | Platinum Packages (AED) Adult: 300-Child (5-10yr): 200 |
Sharjah
Dhow cruises are available around every lagoon, coastline and lake that covers the majority of popular tourist attractions in Sharjah by boat. The Dhow also sails around the UAE-Oman border that offers a sumptuous view of the sea. The starting price of these cruises is AED 55 to AED 190 depending upon the route.
Fujairah
Dhow cruises in Fujairah offer a wide variety of activities. You can choose from snorkelling, fishing, rock climbing and dinner cruises. The majority of Dhow cruises are operated from the City of Dibba Al Fujairah. You have to pre-book the cruise and every individual is requested to bring their original Emirates ID or passport. The starting price of Dhow cruise in Fujairah is AED 119.
Ras Al Khaimah
The 74 feet long traditional Dhow is available for cruising around Ras Al Khaimah. They provide a perfect seafront view of the Arabian Sea and a mesmerizing sunset. The Dhow timings are from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a starting price of AED 150/adult.
These were all the options to cruise around the UAE. Meanwhile, there are also many companies offering yacht, fishing and luxury boat rental in Dubai. Boating around the UAE is an adventure-filled activity providing a number of activities. However, public and rented boats are restricted in their routes. If you are willing to explore every corner of the Gulf, buy used boats for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on boats.