If you think Dubai is only for shopping and lazing on the beach with a cocktail, you’ve probably never tried skydiving or flyboarding, never seen camel races, or a wrecked ship at the bottom of the sea. Here are some adventures available in Dubai: from safe and suitable for the whole family to risky and real.
The world's deepest diving pool
A new gem in the UAE’s collection of record-breaking facilities. Meet Deep Dive — the world’s deepest diving pool recently opened in Nad Al Sheba neighbourhood in Dubai. A keen eye has probably already spotted an oyster shape of the building on the map — a homage to the pearl diving heritage of the UAE.
The pool itself is just as fascinating, to say the least: one of a kind 60 meters deep diving pool with a real deal sunken city for divers to explore. Newbies and experienced divers are equally welcome: the Deep Dive staff includes scuba and freediving experts ready to provide lessons and mentorship. And if you’re not particularly in the mood for a dip, you can spend the time watching your friends dive through glass windows or on screens (there are underwater cameras installed all over the pool for safety). And yes, there is an on-site restaurant and a gift shop.
Zipline is a cable with a pulley. A passenger wears a body harness attached to a pulley to slide as fast as possible. The longest zipline in the world is Jebel Jais Flight in Ras Al Khaimah: 2,8 km long, set atop the UAEs tallest mountain, stretching above the rocky terrain at a height of 1,680 meters above the sea level, zipline makes you fly at a speed up to 120kp/h.
Tickets: from 300 AED during the summer (the price might be twice as high during the high season). You do not need any special training, but you must be in a good medical condition, weight between 40–130 kg and be taller than 122 cm. If you are under 18, you should be accompanied by a legal guardian.
It takes about 3–4 hours by car to get to Ras Al Khaimah. Actually Jebel Jais is a favorite weekend destination for residents and visitors alike. Attractions include not only the world’s longest zipline but also climbing, hiking and camping opportunities and breathtaking views.
.An alternative to travelling to another emirate for riding the Jebel Jais Flight zipline is the XLine in Dubai Marina: the longest urban zipline in the world (about 1 km). You launch from the top of the Amwaj tower and fly in superman position at 80km/h speed through skyscrapers and across water before landing on the terrace of Dubai Marina Mall.
Tickets: 650 AED. Riders must be 12–65 years of age, a minimum height of 130 cm, weigh 50-100 kg, and in good medical condition. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Flamingos!
Would you believe that there is a wild place occupied by flocks of flamingos just a 20 minute drive away from Downtown Dubai? Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary located in the wetlands at the mouth of Dubai Creek is a home to more than 20,000 birds of 67 different species.
The sanctuary is fenced off to protect the birds but there are 3 observation areas equipped with binoculars located around the perimeter of the sanctuary.
Highly recommended for all nature lovers or for anybody seeking some peace and solitude.
The sanctuary is almost inaccessible by public transport — take a taxi. The observation areas are open from 9am to 4pm Saturday to Thursday. To see flamingos, choose the viewing area next to road E66.
Free entrance.
Jet Ski Tours
Taking a thrilling ride through the bay at sunset sounds like a great idea. Everyone follows the instructor at a comfortable speed. The route starts at the dock and goes to the famous Burj Al Arab hotel. This hotel, one of the most luxurious in the world, is located on its own private island, so the best way to admire it is from a jetski. After that the group travels back to the dock.
Recommended for adults and teenagers 14 years old and up. Price — 370 AED for 30 minutes (this includes instructions, equipment, a bottle of water, and your pictures from the instructor).
Desert safari includes a trip to the desert by an SUV and (optionally) meeting and riding camels, riding quads in the dunes, having a barbeque dinner with a shisha and arabic coffee, watching belly dancers, and a fire show. There are various options: from going to the desert for a few hours to spending a night in the camp. The camp could serve as a rehab for gadget addicts: there is no mobile service or power outlets around, only the sky full of stars, and the mysterious sounds of the desert.
Many tour companies in Dubai can take you on a desert safari (Arabian Adventures is just one of them). Prices:starting at 250 AED per person.
This adventure is not recommended for pregnant women, families with infants, and people who get car sick since the ride through the dunes is extremely bumpy.
Skydiving
Skydiving often becomes one of the most unforgettable experiences of one’s lifetime. But a fantastic view will only make skydiving even more special.Skydive Dubai offers you the chance to fly over the desert or to get professional video and photos of you floating over the Palm Jumeirah island. First-time skydivers can do a tandem jump (that means you are attached to an experienced instructor). The total cost for a tandem skydive is 1,499 AED (the Desert Campus) or 1,899 AED (the Palm). +200 AED for video and photos.
The skydiver must weigh under 90 kg (for women) or 100 kg (for men) and be 12 years of age or more (those who are 12–17 years old need a legal guardian, those who are over 70 need a doctor’s permission). Check the site for health requirements.
An odd mix of ancient traditions and modern technology, camel races look like something taking place in a galaxy far, far away. The jockeys are tiny robots sitting on a camel’s back. The camels are racing through the desert for 10 km, while being followed by a flotilla of luxury SUVs, carrying the owners who remotely control the robot jockeys. Viewers watch most of the race on big TV-screens. Traditionally child jockeys rode the camels, but in 2001 the UAE banned it.
The track is about a half an hour drive from the city, in the desert. The races take place in early mornings on Fridays and Saturdays, but the date has to be confirmed — phone Dubai Camel Racing Club.
Tips: bring your binoculars, snacks and water. You can get there by taxi for about 80 AED, but keep in mind that Careem App might not work in this area so you’d better have Uber installed in advance.
Free entrance.
Experience incredible views from the basket of a hot air balloon, while also getting to see wild animals in their natural habitat. Upon landing, you can visit a private animal sanctuary, have dinner and spend the night at a local bedouin camp. Or you can choose a hot air balloon ride in the morning, followed by a ride through the desert in a vintage Jeep, and then a camel ride. You can book such an adventure with Balloon Adventures Emirates. The price is 1250 AED for adults and 1100 AED for children. This adventure is a good option for adults and children over 5. There are other companies besides Balloon Adventures Emirates where you can book a hot air balloon ride — you can find them in 2GIS, as well.
A great way to explore the desert for the first time is by taking an hour-long drive through the sand dunes on a dune buggy or a Jeep. If you choose the time right before sunset, you are guaranteed amazing memories (and photos). The price starts at 910 AED per hour.
Want to get out of the city for a few days with your entire family? Try the mountain retreat of Hatta Wadi Hub. It’s an entirely different Dubai that most people have no idea exists. You will find scenic mountaintops, fresh mountain air, amazing landscape, — an active lifestyle lover’s paradise. Al Hajar Mountains and Hatta lake are perfect for hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. You can choose one of the 7 hotels in the area, or, for nature lovers, there is a comfortable campsite, where you can spend the night under the stars. There is a bbq area, as well as various restaurants, cafes and food trucks. The attractions include a 350-meter tandem zip line ride over a river, and zorbing.
Flyboarding is a chance for you to pretend to be a superhero. You will move under water like Aquaman, and fly 6 meters in the air like Superman. On average, people need 5–10 minutes to get used to the flyboard. The instructor will adjust the power of the flyboard based on your abilities. Some brave first-timers attempt tricks after the first 10 minutes.
Recommended for adults and teenagers 14 years of age and up.
Price: starting at 350 AED for 30 minutes, which includes a 10-minute training session. The equipment is included.
Learn more about the bedouin heritage and the tradition of falconry at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It is the largest national park in the UAE, and it occupies almost 5% of the emirate. The national park can only be visited through one of the specially approved tour companies (there are around 10 of them, and you can find their contact information on the national park’s website). The tour companies offer hikes, safaris, different falconry experiences, horse or camel rides, sandboarding and traditional bedouin dinners.
A 4-hour safari — an exciting adventure for the entire family — starts at 1470 AED.
Contact the diving center at the Atlantis The Palm Resort to explore the waters of Ambassador Lagoon, which is home to 65,000 colorful fishes, sharks, and stingrays. Check out the special diving offers that use the Aquatrek helmet. This way of exploring the bottom of the lagoon is suitable even for beginner divers (you have to be over 12 years old). For thrill-seekers, there is a nighttime version of this adventure — the Aquatrek helmet is equipped with a flashlight. An experienced diver will enjoy “Underwater Explorer” and “Diving With A Predator” offers. The latter involves swimming with sharks and hand-feeding them. Certified divers have a chance to swim in the bay. Prices: snorkeling (exploring the water close to the surface, using a face mask) — starting at 221 AED; scuba diving — starting at 266 AED.
There are dozens of sunken ships off the coast of Dubai. Some of them are open to divers (this adventure is for certified divers only). The easiest option is a 25-meter concrete barge 10 meters under the sea. The most interesting, and the most challenging, is the 120-meter ship named Dara, which is in 3 separate pieces — it sank after a bomb explosion in 1961.
The best time to visit the shipwrecks is in March and April. Be careful though, you won’t just find schools of colorful fish in the wrecked ships, there are also muraena eels and barracudas. Contact a diving center for equipment, transfer, etc.
Visit a palm-fringed lagoon at Palm Jumeirah island for a chance to meet bottlenose dolphins, and even play, swim and dive with them. Various types of activities with dolphins cost 695–1000 AED. You can save about 100 AED by booking at least 14 days in advance.
Try sandboarding down a huge sand dune! The Big Red Dune in Sharjah is actually big and the sand is actually red. Sandboarding is like snowboarding, only on sand dunes. Some sand dunes are 200-300 meters tall, so you are guaranteed to get some speed. It’s best to book your sandboarding adventure through a tour agency — you will get the board and the instructor selected for you, and your transfer will be arranged. The price starts at 1900 AED per person for a 3-hour trip to the desert.