Cruises across Dubai's coastline

Dubai's water tours split into three types. Traditional dhow dinner cruises sail either Dubai Creek, past the old trading wharfs and heritage houses, or Dubai Marina, past illuminated towers and the JBR skyline. They run about two hours, include an international buffet dinner, soft drinks, live tanoura performances and open upper decks for photos. Marina dhows suit travellers who want the modern skyline; Creek dhows suit those who want old Dubai after dark.

Luxury yacht charters are private by the hour. A 33ft to 55ft yacht typically hosts 8 to 20 guests with a skipper, sound system, soft drinks, fishing gear and swimming stops around Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab. Charters are priced per boat, not per person, so groups of six or more often pay less per head than a premium shared cruise. Shared yacht tours and speedboat sightseeing trips are a cheaper middle ground, running 60 to 90 minutes along the Marina, Ain Dubai and Atlantis.

Cruises depart year-round. Sunset departures between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM give you the best light; late departures are cooler in summer. Boarding is usually 20-30 minutes before sailing, and hotel pickup is included on most shared dhow cruises. Bring a light layer for the open deck in winter, and note that alcohol is only served on licensed boats. Vegetarian, Jain and halal menus can be arranged with 24 hours' notice, and birthdays or proposals can be set up with cake, flowers and decoration for an added fee.