Dhow Cruise Dubai

Dubai dhow cruise: Marina or Creek?

A dhow cruise is a two-hour evening trip on a traditional wooden boat, with a buffet dinner and views of Dubai at night. We run two, and they are different: the Dubai Marina dhow cruise shows you the modern skyline, and the Dubai Creek dhow cruise takes you through Old Dubai. Both run from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM, with boarding by 8:00 PM, and both carry up to 60 guests, with open-air seating on the upper deck and air-conditioned seating below. The Marina cruise is a shared cruise, and a private dhow can be arranged for it on request.

The two dhow cruises compared

Which dhow cruise should you choose?

Choose the Marina cruise for the modern skyline

The Marina cruise glides past the towers of Dubai Marina, the Ain Dubai wheel and the lit-up waterfront, with plenty of time for photographs. It suits couples, families and groups who want to see the skyline from the water. See the Dubai Marina dhow cruise.

Choose the Creek cruise for Old Dubai

The Creek cruise is the quieter of the two. It sails the calm water of Dubai Creek past Al Seef, the Heritage Village and Bastakiya, with a live Tanoura performance, a dance inspired by Sufism, during dinner. See the Dubai Creek dhow cruise.

What to wear and bring

Marina cruise: smart casual dress is recommended, and traditional or modest wear is also welcome. Avoid shorts and flip-flops on evening cruises, and bring a light jacket for the breeze on the upper deck.

Creek cruise: wear comfortable, breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes, and bring a light jacket, a camera or smartphone, and a valid ID or passport copy for boarding.

Good to know before you book

• Hotel transfers are not included on the Marina cruise. They can be arranged at extra cost from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
• Alcohol is not served on the Marina cruise.
• Families: both cruises are family-friendly. On the Creek cruise a supervising adult is required for children, and special seating can be arranged for families.
• Mobility: the Creek cruise is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, because of the stairs to the upper deck. Infants under 3 must be supervised.
• Private dhow: the Marina cruise is shared, but a private dhow can be arranged on request.
• Special occasions: tell us when you book a Creek cruise and we will arrange what we can for a birthday or celebration.

Combining a dhow cruise with other tours

Both cruises board at 8:00 PM, so they clash with the evening desert safari, which returns to hotels between 8:30 and 9:30 PM. A dhow cruise pairs well with a morning desert safari, which ends around 12:00 PM, or with a day of sightseeing on our Dubai city tour, which finishes at 5:30 PM. See all our desert safaris, or build a whole trip with our Dubai tour packages, several of which include the Marina dhow cruise.

Only Tourism is authorised, regulated and licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy & Tourism, licence number 690148.

Dubai dhow cruise: frequently asked questions

How long is a dhow cruise?

Both of our dhow cruises last two hours, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Boarding is by 8:00 PM.

What is the difference between the Marina and Creek cruise?

The Marina cruise focuses on the modern skyscrapers and the waterfront. The Creek cruise focuses on Old Dubai and traditional charm, with a live Tanoura show.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Both cruises serve a buffet dinner with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, along with soft drinks, tea and coffee.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Not on the Marina cruise. Transfers are not in the standard price but can be arranged at extra cost from Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Guests board at Dubai Marina and should arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure.

Are dhow cruises suitable for families with children?

Yes. Both cruises are family-friendly, with open-air and enclosed seating. On the Creek cruise a supervising adult is required for children.

Is it a private cruise?

The Marina cruise is a shared cruise, and private dhow bookings can be arranged on request. Both cruises carry up to 60 guests.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes, up to 24 hours before departure.