Swap the snow for the sand as you glide down powder soft dunes for the adventure of a lifetime. Welcome to sandboarding in Dubai – where the city's striking desert landscape lends the perfect backdrop to this alternative sport. We recommend heading out with licensed experts, and there are many leading desert safari companies in the city to choose from. Their teams will not only find the best sand dunes to conquer but also give you all the equipment needed and a comprehensive briefing session on how to master moves while having fun.

If you know how to snowboard, it will seem very familiar as your shoes have to be strapped on to a trusty sandboard that's specially-adapted for the terrain. Instructors will share tips on how to stay safe, along with a few tricks to try while balancing on the board. Once you're ready and wearing all the necessary safety gear – usually helmets, elbow pads and keen pads – you'll get to surf down the dunes at high speeds, and come back up for more.

Where to try sandboarding

One of the best places to go sandboarding is Al Badayer – also called Red Dune – on the Hatta Oman Road. There are plenty of other places to also explore in Dubai, including Al Qudra and the Lahbab desert. Further afield, the dramatic sandscapes around Fossil Rock in Sharjah and Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi also provide plenty of exhilaration alongside challenging dips and slips.

Sandboarding is a safe desert activity that the whole family will enjoy – just remember to start with the gentler, smaller slopes before tackling the larger dunes and more advanced tricks. Now that you know the essentials, find out why it's become a must-try holiday experience for yourself and book in a session on your next visit to Dubai.

Sandboarding in Dubai

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