When was the last time you tried any watersports in Dubai?
If there’s one thing that’s better than the endless kilometres of coastline in Dubai, it’s the stunning blue waters they lead onto.
From charging out of the waters with a jet pack strapped to your back to some gentle sunrise fishing, surfing at wave centres to shark safaris, these action-packed Dubai watersports need to be on your agenda this summer.
The best watersports in Dubai to try this summer
Electric foil boards
Fun factor: 5/5
Splash factor: 0/5 (unless falling in)
Electric foil boards (e-foils to regulars) are growing popular, and understandably so. Like a surf board, it’s a great test of your core as you push yourself on the board and (hopefully) manage a standing pose, all while holding a remote to propel yourself forwards, with some speed, and a great view.
Open daily, available at FIVE Palm Jumeirah and FIVE Luxe watersports@fivehotelsandresorts.com (052 100 2928)
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Banana boat
Fun factor: 3/5
Splash factor: 2/5
Whoops, that’s not you slipping on a banana skin, that’s you and your bunch sliding off a huge yellow inflatable while zipping across the sea. Not for the faint-hearted, or those without much upper body strength, the classic seaside activity sees groups of four or more straddle a blow-up ’nana while being towed across the waves by a speedboat. It’s also suitable for almost any age group. Don’t like getting wet? You better hold on tight then.
Open daily 8.30am-6pm. Sky & Sea Adventures Dubai, JBR (04 399 9005).
Fishing
Fun factor: 3/5
Splash factor: 0/5 (unless falling overboard)
Jump on a yacht in Dubai Marina and sail out past the Palm Jumeirah for a morning of sun, sea and hunting. Xclusive Yachts provide a two-man crew who will take care of the sailing, setting up rods and even baiting if you need. All you need to do is cast your line, wait for a nibble and reel it in. Anything you catch onboard you can cook, or take home for a fish supper. Time to brush up on your skills.
Open 24 hours, Xclusive Yachts, Dubai Marina, xclusiveyachts.com (04 432 7233).
Flyboarding
Fun factor: 4/5
Splash factor: 5/5
High adrenaline, fast-paced and face plants. Flyboarding is one of the most futuristic water-borne inventions humans have built for fun. Strap your feet onto a board and soar through the air as jet nozzles force water out at tremendous force, sending you up to 15 metres in the air. With some practice, you’ll be able to glide gently above the water and if you keep trying you could be backflipping your way to a weekend of fun, James Bond-style.
Open daily, 10am-6pm. Hydro Water Sports, Palm Jumeirah, hydro-watersports.com (054 598 5353).
Jetpacking
Fun factor: 5/5
Splash factor: 5/5
Another water sport, another out of this world bit of kit. This time you’re hooked up to a jetpack to float across the waves. Water gushes out and propels thrill-seekers into the air, legs dangling below. Speaking of legs, keeping them still is the key to balancing. Master that and you’ll have cracked it.
Open daily, 10am-6pm. Hydro Water Sports, Palm Jumeirah, hydro-watersports.com (054 598 5353).
Jet skiing
Fun factor: 4/5
Splash factor: 3/5
Having first become available to the public in 1972, jet skiing made waves in the personal watercraft world. Fast-forward almost 50 years and the positively ancient device is still going strong in Dubai. You’ll hear the roar of the engine before you see the smiling skiers shooting across the coastline. JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and La Mer all have rental companies operating on the shores so you’ll have plenty of choice. Our pick is booking a 30-minute or 60-minute tour with Shark Jet Ski Rental in Dubai Marina, it’s one of the best ways to see the soaring skyscrapers.
Open daily, 8am-8pm. Shark Jet Ski Rental, Dubai Marina, sharkjetski.com (055 910 9173).
Kayaking
Fun factor: 3/5
Splash factor: 0.5/5
This is one of the gentlest ways to become one with water and is perfect for solo rowers, couples and kids. All companies provide life jackets as a compulsory measure, so falling out isn’t to be feared. While the UAE benefits from some truly stunning places to kayak (more on that later), there’s something special about cruising across the calm seas with the soaring skyline in the background. Join up to a tour at Sofitel Dubai The Palm and soak in the views (and possibly some sea water).
Open daily, 9am-6pm. SeaYou Watersport Center, Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, seayou.ae (050 551 0238).
Kite surfing
Fun factor: 3/5
Splash factor: 3/5
Based in Jumeirah, Kite Zone Dubai is a team of professional instructors who teach private, single and group lessons for anyone looking to ride the skies (and bulk up those biceps). It’s a mixture of surfing, wakeboarding and paragliding and merges the best of all three. It’ll work your core tremendously while injecting tonnes of fun into your day at the beach. Strap your feet onto a board, anchor it to a kite and hold on as the wind pulls you along the surface.
Open daily, 7am-6pm. Kite Zone Dubai, Jumeirah 3, kitezonedubai.com (056 815 4146).
Paddleboarding
Fun factor: 2
Splash factor: 2/5
See the seas in a new way. All you’ve got to do is book a large, flat board, stand up and let your arms pull you along. The trickiest part is keeping your balance while paddling, meaning those with a lower centre of gravity will spend less time in the water. It’s a great workout and is suitable for all the family – so long as the little ones are adept at swimming. It’s best enjoyed on calmer waters found in between the Palm Jumeirah’s fronds.
Open daily, 6am-7pm. IGNITE Water Sports, Shoreline 8, Palm Jumeirah, ignitewatersports.com (052 249 5311).
Parasailing
Fun factor: 4/5
Splash factor: 3/5
This involves strapping yourself into a harness with a parachute at one end and a rope on a boat on the other before rising into the air as the boat speeds off. It’s a serene way of taking in some stunning views, up to 200 metres above sea level. Once back on ground, or in the water, you can jump on board and takeover the wheel to steer the boat as your companion soars in the sky. Arabia Horizons have an experienced team of instructors and guides to assist you on the adventure. One for those with a head for heights.
Open Sat-Wed 8.30am-6pm, Thu 8.30am-3pm. Arabia Horizons, arabiahorizons.com (050 540 2520).
Wakeboarding
Fun factor: 4/5
Splash factor: 4/5
Fire up the speedboat and hold on as you zip across the sea with the Dubai skyline in the background. For the more experienced, you can try out tricks, flips and getting some serious hang time. For the uninitiated, staying on your feet is something to be celebrated.
Open daily 8.30am-6pm. Sky & Sea Adventures Dubai, JBR (04 399 9005).
Wavehouse
Fun factor: 3/5
Splash factor: 4/5
Aside from the licensed bowling alley and a plethora of retro arcade games, VR simulators and games console centre, this fun-packed spot in Atlantis The Palm has a wave rider. All you need to do is grab a board and head to Surf’s Up – an artificial wave machine where you can practice surfing all day – every day. It shoots out seven tonnes of water per second, making it perfect for body or knee-boarding.
Open daily 12pm-11pm. Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 2000).
Scuba diving
Fun factor: 5/5
Splash factor: 5/5
Link up with the professional underwater explorers at Al Boom and take part in classes at one of the three dive centres. Each offers PADI courses and daily diving in Jumeirah, Fujairah, and even Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at The Dubai Mall. From getting used to the apparatus and familiarising yourself with hand instructions in a swimming pool, to eventually plunging into the deep blue, this is Dubai’s top school for learning.
Open daily, Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun, 9am-6pm. Al Jumeriah Dive Centre, Al Wasl Road, alboomdiving.com (04 342 2993).
Shark diving
Fun factor: 5/5
Splash factor: 5/5
Diving with sharks is one of the more adventurous experiences you may have during your time in Dubai, and now you can do it during a feeding frenzy. Visit the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in The Dubai Mall, for one of the most fun, possibly slightly scary, yet awe-inspiring days out you could possibly have. Don an astronaut-style helmet and wetsuit before heading into the ten million litre water world in a large metal cage. Then watch as divers ignite the feeding frenzy (which is not aimed at your limbs, mind).
Open daily,12pm=9pmThe Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, thedubaiaquarium.com (04 342 2993).
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