Discover a different side of Dubai’s most memorable sights – from the water
1- Madinat Jumeirah
Winding canals
The Madinat Jumeirah souk and resort use abras to connect the sanctuary’s hotels, villas and restaurants via a manmade canal system, with regular stops. Cruising past the beach, a Madinat abra ride takes about 30 minutes for a full loop, leaving the docks so frequently that it’s easy to find you have a boat all to yourself for at least part of the trip.
2- Dubai Creek
Bustling waterways
Time on your hands? A trip down Dubai Creek will be an indelible memory. A public transport service, the fleets of abras criss-cross the wide saltwater creek, as they’ve done for centuries. A token fee gives travellers a round-trip between the Gold, Textile and Spice Souks, where visitors can find well-priced gemstones and gold pieces, exotic fabrics, and Middle Eastern kitchen staples. Finish the ride at the far end of the Creek, at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, for a drink on the rooftop terrace.
3- Dubai Water Canal
The heart of the city
Fast-forward to modern day Dubai, and water transport has had a makeover. Take a sail down Dubai’s newest waterway and one of its most ambitious projects yet – the Dubai Canal. Stretching three kilometres from the Arabian Gulf, through Safa Park, into the heart of the city centre, and culminating in the existing waters of Business Bay, the new waterway is 180m across at its widest point.
4- Dubai Marina
Modern skyline views
CRUISE BENEATH THE BIG CITY LIGHTS
5- Arabian Gulf
A sail along the coast
ENJOY THE OPEN SEA ON DUBAI’S BEAUTIFUL GULF
Sporty couples can arrange for jet-skis to be loaded before they leave the dock, with the open sea giving unobstructed space to rev up your ride. As the sun sets, ask the captain to loop back towards the shoreline, with the vivid Arabian sunset reflecting off the city’s mirrored skyscrapers.
Looking for more action on the water? Try our memorable water experiences for couples who like to share aquatic adventures.