The UAE · DHOW CRUISES
A wooden dhow down the Creek or along the Marina, usually with a buffet and two hours of slow water. The 15 below differ enormously on the food, so they are compared on that as much as on price.
See Dubai at your own pace on Big Bus’s red and blue routes, with open-top views, six-language commentary, and stops near the Burj Khalifa, old souks, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina. Choose 24 or 48 hours, or take the five-day pass with a dhow cruise, Dubai Frame, aquarium, and Desert Sunset Tour.
“Best way to see Dubai! Loved every moment of it! Highly recommended”
See Dubai at your own pace on a 1, 2, or 3-day City Sightseeing pass. Ride the red historical route and blue Marina route, stop near the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, souks, and Dubai Marina, then add a Dhow Cruise and Sunset and Night Tour. Two and 3-day tickets also include Lost World Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm.
“I am very happy we did this bus tour. We choose to do the red (historical) route. It is an excellent way to learn (with the provided audio) more about Dubai and its famous buildings. We planned a bit in advance and knew which spots we really wanted to visit. The highlights were definitely Al Seef (where you'll find many nice shops in a wonderful setting), Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Gold & Spice Souk and the Al Shindagha Museum. Take your time to visit this latter museum, as there are 22 pavillions in total! But it is really worthwile. Dubai museum is still closed, so no need to get off…”
Board near Dubai Old Village for a 105-minute dhow cruise with buffet dinner, creek views, music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show. English-speaking staff, including host Naushad on some departures, keep the evening moving. Expect a simple, good-value dinner outing rather than a polished luxury cruise.
“Naushad hosted a really great cruise! It had fun vibes and yummy food! The shows were entertaining and interactive :)”
Spend about 1 hour 45 minutes aboard Dhow Alexandra, a refurbished wooden Arabic ship turned floating restaurant. Cruise Dubai Marina past Cayan Tower, JBR, Bluewaters, and Ain Dubai while enjoying an international buffet, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. Upper-deck seating gives you the best city views. Alcohol and hotel transfers cost extra.
“The boat trip was excellent as was the entertainment. The food was delicious but was not managed so many people started eating early and the seemed to come back and push in to the queue.”
Cruise Dubai Creek, Dubai Canal, or Dubai Marina aboard a traditional Arabian dhow. Your evening includes hotel pickup, a buffet of Arabic and international dishes, illuminated waterfront views, and return transport. The exact route and start time vary, so check availability before booking. Alcoholic drinks cost extra and large bags are not allowed.
“Pick-up was on time, food was average, but service and entertainment was very good! We had a very nice evening!”
See old Dubai by abra, photograph Burj Al Arab and Atlantis, cruise Dubai Marina with a buffet dinner, then race across desert dunes in a 4x4. The package runs about two days and includes hotel transport, desert shows, camel riding, shisha, and vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals. Confirm the exact city tour and cruise schedule before booking.
“Desert Safari is a life time experiences, the Dubai city view from Dhow Cruise ship definitely worth to see. I strongly recommend these two activities when visit Dubai.”
Board a traditional Arabian dhow at Al Rahim Mosque for a 90-minute Dubai Marina cruise past Marina Yacht Club and Marina Towers. You’ll have a vegetarian or non-vegetarian buffet, drinks, air-conditioned seating, an open upper deck, and a Tanoura dance. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available, but transfer times can vary.
“Brilliant night out, pick up from the hotel was prompt. The food, cruise and atmosphere made this a great night out, and fantastic views of the Dubai architecture.”
Board a traditional wooden dhow at Tour Dubai for an evening cruise along Dubai Creek. You’ll get welcome refreshments at Al Seef, an open international buffet, unlimited water and soft drinks, plus music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show. Host Naushad is especially helpful, and the low price makes this a useful choice for a short Dubai evening.
“Honestly, cannot complain. Immense value for money, I was worried the cheap rate we paid it wouldn’t be that great, however it was fun, enjoyable, comfortable and the buffet food was delicious especially the butter chicken!!! I have to say above all, the customer service was great, like an idiot I booked on the wrong day and turned up thinking my booking was that day, the guys kindly agreed to let me switch my days which saved my blushes and also my weeks planning for my stay at Dubai. Thank you so much for this. Honestly, do not be afraid of the cheap price, it was a very nice evening…”
Travel by van from Dubai, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah into Oman’s Musandam Peninsula for a full day on a shared dhow. You’ll swim, snorkel, kayak, ride a banana boat and speedboat, visit a limestone cave, fish if weather allows, and eat a generous buffet lunch. Guides speak English, Arabic, Hindi, and Russian.
“I liked that we were kept well informed via what’s app on arrival time etc. and our border arrangements were organised for us. We had to travel very early to get to our pick up point but the driver was on time. We were able to buy a coffee at McDonald’s at our pick up point. The bus trip to the boat was long but comfortable. The boat / dhow trip was relaxing . We tried the snorkeling but there wasn’t a lot to see. The banana boat ride was fun. The lunch provided was plentiful. I enjoyed seeing a new country , Oman, from Dubai.”
Spend an evening aboard a traditional Arabian dhow on Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina. You will watch the skyline change at sunset, eat a buffet of local and international dishes, and see live music and dance. Choose a meeting point or optional Dubai hotel pickup. The advertised cruise lasts 1.5 hours, though the itinerary also lists two hours, so confirm the timing when booking.
Board a traditional wooden dhow at Al Seef around 8:30 pm for a gentle two-hour cruise along Dubai Creek. You’ll pass lit wind towers, minarets, bridges, and working waterfront scenes while enjoying a buffet, coffee, tea, and bottled water. Optional pickup removes the taxi hassle, but live entertainment and upper-deck seating may not be guaranteed.
“Boat ride, although boat didn’t look like what expected. The food was good and staff was nice, music was good.”
Join Lead Adventure Tour for a roughly two-hour evening dhow cruise on Dubai Creek. Choose the open upper deck or enclosed lower deck, then enjoy a vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet, drinks, music, dance performances, and a horse show. Fatima is frequently involved in welcoming guests and helping the evening run smoothly.
“The views were unbelievable! The host went above and beyond to ensure everything was on point! Excellent food, amazing shows, great atmosphere! Would highly recommend”
Spend about an hour aboard a traditional-style dhow from Al Seef Creek Harbour. You’ll pass old Dubai, Rolex Twin Towers, Maktoum Bridge, Infinity Bridge, and Heritage Village while Arabic music plays and a soft drink is served. The small group size, capped at 30 people, keeps the ride fairly manageable.
“Beautiful night on a wonderful boat. We really enjoyed our ride and the beverages. Highly recommend for an over view of the creek.”
Spend two hours aboard a traditional Arabian dhow in Dubai Marina. You will receive Arabic coffee, dates, and rosewater cleansing before a buffet of Arabic and international dishes. The route passes Ain Dubai, JBR, Cayan Tower, and Marina Yacht Club, with an air-conditioned lower deck and open-air upper deck. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“overall it was good.. I think drinks should be made available before requesting...also food should include more continental options”
Board a traditional dhow at Dubai Marina for about 90 minutes of waterfront sightseeing, buffet dinner, welcome drinks, soft background music, and a Tanoura show. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with a 7:00 pm start and a maximum group size of 20. Alcohol is available to buy separately.
“Thank you we had a great time and experience thank you the food was good and could be better the punjabi music was good”
Pick a dune, a deck or a viewing floor.
