A complete guide to water sports in Dubai

The great thing about living in Dubai is that no matter what your taste is, there’s definitely something exciting to try. Aquaphiles in the city can plunge into a whole new world of adventure with a variety of high-octane water sports in Dubai. With some of the most stunning beaches in the world and a plethora of man-made lakes and other water bodies, there’s plenty of water sports in Dubai for those looking for aquatic adventures in the city.

Best water sports in Dubai

Use our guide to dive deep into the unparalleled world of water-based activities in Dubai for an invigorating time.

Jet Skiing

Excited to cruise the seas and take in the stunning sights of your favourite Dubai attractions? There’s no better way to indulge in your love for water sports than an amazing jet skiing session around the city’s beaches.

During the tour which lasts for an hour and a half, you’ll be soaring through the water at a speed of about 70 kmph with panoramic views of the spectacular skyline looming ahead. There are only a few places which allow jet ski tours in Dubai, so make sure to get in touch with some of the certified tour operators. Nemo WaterSports Dubai, Sun and Fun Water Sports, Ride in Dubai and SeaRide are some of the popular operators offering jet ski sessions in Dubai.

Flyboarding

A popular new water sport in Dubai, it’s easy to see the appeal of flyboarding for thrill-seekers in the city. You can channel your inner superhero and quite literally fly across the ocean!

Officially known as hydroflying, this super fun water sport was created by French jet-ski designer Franky Zapata in 2012. Flyboarding involves being propelled into the air with the help of a water-powered jetpack. You can fly 15 meters above the water, surf the sea and even go underwater. This is one of the popular water sports activity in Dubai to cool off during the scorching summers. An extremely popular activity with water lovers living in Jumeirah Beach Residence, this is a great way to relax and enjoy the sun, sea and sand on weekends. Nemo WaterSports, Hydro Water Sports and SeaRide are some of the popular water sports companies in Dubai for flyboarding packages.

Zup Boarding/ Wakeboarding

While commonly referred to as wakeboarding, this exhilarating water sport in Dubai is also known as zup boarding. Combining exciting elements from surfing, water skiing and snowboarding, this water sport is all about maintaining your balance on an eponymous zup-board while you are being catapulted away on a motorboat. Sounds intimidating? Worry not, you don’t need special certificates or training to venture out and try this adventurous activity in Dubai, just a little courage and lots of enthusiasm! Xtreme Wake UAE, Wake Evolution and Sea Riders are some of the well-known operators having water sports packages in Dubai currently offering wakeboarding sessions.   

Parasailing

No list of must-try water sports in Dubai is complete without a mention of the high-octane adventure of parasailing. An ultimate thrill-ride, you get to glide across the air at heights of 150 m and slice through the water as you land into the ocean with a mighty splash. Parasailing is particularly popular among tourists travelling to Dubai because it is safe and doesn’t require any training. You just relax and let yourself be taken by the wind. If you are wondering about what to expect from a parasailing experience in Dubai, you get tied to a rope that is connected to the boat and as the boat speeds up, the rope stretches, inflating the parachute tied to your back. SkyHub Paramotors, Bike ‘n’ Surf Dubai and Fun Beach Water sports are a few of the tour operators offering parasailing packages in Dubai.

Kayaking

Another popular water sport in Dubai, perfect for relaxed times with your significant other is kayaking. Kayak tours or kayaking is one of the best and easiest ways of seeing the sights and sounds in Dubai from a unique vantage point. If you want to go kayaking in Dubai please note that it is mandatory to know how to swim. The activity usually lasts for less than three hours where you get to manoeuvre through lesser-known waterways and enjoy the stunning sights. You can go solo on your kayak or you can tag along with your partner. Hatta and Palm Jumeirah are some of the popular locations to try some kayaking in Dubai. The popular operators include Hatta Kayak and SeaYou Dubai.  

Stand-up Paddle Boarding

This particular Dubai water sport is perfect for fitness enthusiasts who want to test their core strength and stamina. You get on your SUP board and simply paddle to your heart’s content. You need to be over 16 years of age and know swimming to try out stand-up paddleboarding in Dubai. Surf House Dubai, Ignite Surface and Get SUP-FIT are some of the popular companies offering stand-up paddle boarding in Dubai

Kite Surfing

There are some experiences which will always invigorate you, even if you are reminiscing about them for the umpteenth time. Kite surfing in Dubai is certainly one of those experiences. An extremely appealing and popular water sports activity in Dubai, kite surfing takes a certain level of expertise making it among the more challenging activities on this list. When it comes to the cost of water sports in Dubai, this activity is among the more expensive options, however, the experience is definitely worth it!

You start off with a tutorial session of about eight to ten hours before trying out the activity. Once you get the hang of it, the calm oceans of Dubai make for a perfect spot for surfing the seas. Kite Surf Dubai is a well-known academy offering kitesurfing lessons in the city. DuKite and KiteZone Dubai are the other operators you can get in touch with to plan your weekend of Kite Surfing fun in Dubai. Incidentally, Kite Beach gets its name from the popular activity, for which many adventure enthusiasts flock to, particularly during festivals and tournaments.

The Donut Ride

A donut ride is one of the more family-friendly water sports to try in Dubai. You are dragged along the sparkling waters of the city’s beaches in a speed boat while sitting in a doughnut-shaped inflated tube. Enjoy the exciting turns around the water with plenty of splashes and twists to keep everyone excited. Xclusive Yachts and Seawake Dubai are some of the well-known operators offering donut rides in Dubai.

Seabreacher

Claustrophobic people may want to steer clear of this one. But if you are a fan of confined spaces, explore the depths of the ocean in your very own shark-shaped submarine. This unique air-conditioned submarine goes at a speed of 100 kmph and is one of the must-try activities in Dubai for water lovers. The terrifying looking shark-shaped submarine is available for rent from several outlets in JBR Beach and The Palm.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is easily the first thing that comes to mind when we think about water sports to do in Dubai. Dive into the mesmerising Arabian Gulf and witness the diversity the marine life has to offer. Get up close with sharks, rays and much more. Most diving centres start with a short training session, followed by detailed instructions. You can then take the plunge and explore the fascinating underwater world that awaits you! Nemo Dive Centre and Extreme Water Sports are some of the companies certified to offer scuba diving in Dubai.

In addition to these top water sports in Dubai, you can also get some snorkelling equipment and say hello to your marine friends in the beach parks in Dubai.

Which of these water sports in Dubai are you most excited to try? If these look a little too adventurous for your taste, indulge in your love for water at these uber-cool water-themed parks in the UAE or check out these awesome beaches and beach clubs in Dubai and have a fun time with family and friends! If you are a true-blue fan of the waterfront life, remember to also check out best beachfront properties in Dubai.