Dubai Marina dhow cruise packages

Dubai Marina dhow cruise guide

A dinner cruise through modern Dubai

A Dubai Marina dhow cruise is a 2-hour evening dinner cruise along the Dubai Marina canal, past Cayan Tower, JBR and Ain Dubai, on either a traditional wooden dhow or a modern catamaran. Packages start from AED 120 per adult and include a 4-star or 5-star buffet dinner, soft drinks, music and live entertainment. Boarding is at 8:00 PM and the cruise runs from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Dubai Marina is one of the city's most photographed neighbourhoods, and one of its newest. The district is entirely human-made: established in 2003, it wraps a canal of roughly 3 km with some of the tallest residential towers in the world, and around 70,000 people live there. At night, thousands of lit windows reflect on the water on both sides of the boat, which is why the Marina is the most popular route for first-time visitors and couples.

What you'll see on the Marina

The cruise follows the Marina canal and heads toward the open water near Bluewaters Island. Expect skyscrapers, yachts and waterfront promenades rather than heritage buildings.

• Cayan Tower307 m tall, twisting a full 90° from base to top
• Marina towers & Marina WalkLit-up skyscrapers and the waterfront promenade
• JBRJumeirah Beach Residence and its beachfront
• Ain DubaiThe 250 m observation wheel on Bluewaters Island
• Atlantis The PalmVisible at the tip of Palm Jumeirah
• Yachts & Dubai HarbourSuperyachts moored along the marina berths

Dhow or catamaran: which should you choose?

The Marina is the only route where you can choose between two kinds of boat. Both follow the same route and timings; the difference is the feel of the evening.

Dubai Marina cruise packages compared

All eight Marina packages board at 8:00 PM and cruise from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. The difference is the boat and the buffet.

What's included

• Cruise: 2 hours along the Dubai Marina canal
• Dinner: international buffet with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes; 4-star or 5-star depending on the package
• Drinks: welcome drink, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee
• Entertainment: soft music and live shows, including the Tanoura dance
• Seating: an air-conditioned lower deck and an open-air upper deck

Not included: alcohol and hotel pick-up and drop-off. Transfers can be added when you book. For a full menu breakdown, read what to eat on a Dubai Marina dhow cruise.

Marina or Creek?

Read the full Dubai Creek vs Marina comparison, or see the quieter Dubai Canal cruise.

Who the Marina cruise suits

Couples love the lit-up skyline and the romance of dinner on the water; see our romantic dhow cruise guide. First-time visitors get Dubai's most famous modern views in one evening. Families can choose the air-conditioned lower deck and child rates. Groups and companies can ask about a private dhow or catamaran for birthdays, team dinners and celebrations.

Best time for a Marina dhow cruise

The Marina cruise sails every evening, all year. November to March brings cool evenings that make the open upper deck the best seat on the boat. October and April are warm but pleasant after sunset. From May to September, the air-conditioned lower deck keeps dinner comfortable, and you can step outside for photos. Weekend and holiday sailings fill fastest, so book a few days ahead. On New Year's Eve, Marina cruises face the Atlantis, JBR and Burj Al Arab fireworks; see our New Year cruises.

Tips before you board

• Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the 8:00 PM boarding. Your confirmation shows the exact pier.
• Leave extra time on weekends, when traffic around Dubai Marina and JBR is heavy.
• Wear smart casual clothes and flat shoes. Bring a light layer from December to February.
• Head to the upper deck after dinner for the best skyline photos.

For a full walkthrough of the evening, read what to expect on a dhow cruise in Dubai.

Dubai Marina dhow cruise FAQs

Sources: Dubai Marina, SOM (Cayan Tower), Ain Dubai.