Dubai from the water

Madinat Jumeirah

Winding canals

VIEW THE BURJ AL ARAB BY ABRA

The Madinat Jumeirah souk and resort use abras to connect the sanctuary's hotels, villas and restaurants via a manmade canal system, with regular stops. Cruising past the beach, a Madinat abra ride takes about 30 minutes for a full loop, leaving the docks so frequently that it's easy to find you have a boat all to yourself for at least part of the trip.

If you find it hard to leave, you can check-in to luxury at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam or Jumeirah Al Naseem, or go for a meal at of the many spectacular waterside restaurants and lounges in this tranquil setting.

Dubai Creek

Bustling waterways

SEE HISTORICAL DUBAI FROM THE WATER

Time on your hands? A trip down Dubai Creek will be an indelible memory. A public transport service, the fleets of abras criss-cross the wide saltwater creek, as they've done for centuries. A token fee gives travellers a round-trip between the Gold, Textile and Spice Souks, where visitors can find well-priced gemstones and gold pieces, exotic fabrics, and Middle Eastern kitchen staples. Finish the ride at the far end of the Creek, at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, for a drink on the rooftop terrace.

Dubai Canal

The heart of the city

DISCOVER DUBAI’S NEW WATERWAY

Fast-forward to modern day Dubai, and water transport has had a makeover. Take a sail down Dubai’s newest waterway and one of its most ambitious projects yet – the Dubai Canal. Stretching three kilometres from the Arabian Gulf, through Safa Park, into the heart of the city centre, and culminating in the existing waters of Business Bay, the new waterway is 180m across at its widest point.

Head over at dusk and take in spectacular views from any one of the three pedestrian bridges that cross the Canal. Don't miss the mechanical waterfall where the Canal meets the Sheikh Zayed Road bridge. Motion-operated, it pumps water through the bridge in a constant flow and switches off when a sensor detects a boat nearby.

Dubai Marina

Modern skyline views

CRUISE BENEATH THE BIG CITY LIGHTS

Meanwhile, in the newer part of town, mega-yachts and sleek speed boats hold court in Dubai Marina – a lively district packed with high-rise towers, winding waterways and entertainment venues. Most marine companies offer a fully-staffed vessel, complete with captain, hostess and chef, and are happy to customise the route based on client request.

Select from a large variety of rental companies such as Xclusive Yachts or Cozmo Yachts, or use a new digital service like CharterClick to arrange your yacht charter. Opt for a sunset cruise, when the sky is lit up in hues of deep orange and pink for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Dubai.

Arabian Gulf

Sail along the coast

ENJOY THE OPEN SEA ON DUBAI’S BEAUTIFUL GULF

Cruising along the Arabian Gulf, drop anchor next to the Burj Al Arab, to enjoy an on-deck meal with the iconic sail-shaped hotel as your backdrop, or head over to the World Islands and dock at Lebanon Island for a pre-booked lunch in one of the exclusive beach cabanas.

Sporty couples can arrange for jet-skis to be loaded before they leave the dock, with the open sea giving unobstructed space to rev up your ride. As the sun sets, ask the captain to loop back towards the shoreline, with the vivid Arabian sunset reflecting off the city's mirrored skyscrapers.

Looking for more action on the water? Try our memorable water experiences for new aquatic adventures.