Dubai Marina: Tours and Guided Visits

The Dubai Marina is a dazzling and visionary waterfront district built along carefully constructed waterways along the Arabian Gulf. The area is considered a cutting-edge urban oasis and boasts high-rise towers, luxury residences, and stylish promenades.

The heart of the area is the picturesque canal where sleek yachts are moored alongside traditional Arabian Dhows. Visitors and locals appreciate the world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment destinations offered by the vibrant cosmopolitan community.

Whether you crave a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, a sumptuous meal with a view, a tranquil cruise or a taste of one of the many activities on offer, a tour to Dubai Marina promises an extraordinary experience that encapsulates the spirit of Dubai.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Dubai Marina, one of the most captivating options for sightseeing tours in Dubai.

What are the best Dubai Marina tours in Dubai?

Dubai Marina is best experienced from the water or from above. These are just some of the types of tour available in this vibrant district of Dubai.

Dubai Marina Sightseeing Cruises

You can choose to board a speedboat, dhow or yacht and head out on a tour of Dubai Marina. On a tour of between 1.5 and 3 hours, you will cruise, sail or speed along with the magnificent skyline of Dubai as your backdrop.

Many tours of this type include a delicious breakfast or lunch buffet and your captain and crew will ensure that you have an entertaining and informative experience.

If you’ve selected a speedboat tour, you can also expect some high-speed, thrilling maneuvers as you enjoy your Dubai Marina adventure.

Dubai Marina Sunset and Dinner Cruises

Sunset and dinner cruises offer you the chance to see the Dubai skyline come alive with the colors of the night.

Evening cruises might set a more sedate pace, but with tours including a varied buffet meal and also frequently onboard entertainment this type of excursion encompasses sightseeing, entertainment and dining in one neat package.

Dubai Marina Zip Line

Are you an adrenaline junkie who wants a bird’s eye view of the Dubai Marina canals and promenade? In that case, this thrilling trip from high up on the Amwaj Towers carries you along the world’s longest zipline to the Dubai Marina Mall in the heart of the decadent waterfront neighborhood.

This tour includes transport from the check-in kiosk to the launch site, photos and video of the experience and in some cases, a light lunch. Additional merchandise is also available as a keepsake after this memorable experience.

Dubai Marina Jet Ski

There is an opportunity to combine sightseeing and a water-based adventure with a guide sightseeing tour on jet skis. This tour departs from Dubai Marina and rounds Palm Jumeirah, the incredible man-made archipelago off Dubai’s coastline.

Jetting around this 5 kilometer diameter island is a memorable way to experience this desert paradise.

Where will I go on a Dubai Marina tour?

As most Dubai Marina tours are water based, you can expect to see many of the city’s famous landmarks and attractions from a new perspective.

Among the many things that might catch your eye, you can expect to see the Dubai Marina’s canals, the Dubai Eye Wheel, Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach, and the Burj Al Arab.

Some daytime tours include a stop on the beach, while others may allow time for sunbathing or a quick swim in the sea.

On a zipline tour, you will soar past sites like the Princess Tower and Canyan Tower at speeds of up to 80 kilometers an hour.

What are the prices of Dubai Marina tours in Dubai?

Dubai Marina Sightseeing Cruises start from around $30 per person for speedboat and dhow trips. Shared yacht tours cost from $45 per person while private or luxury yacht experiences cost from $300 per tour depending on the size of the vessel, the tour inclusions and the number of passengers.

Dubai Marina Sunset and Dinner Cruises start in the region of $50 per person for a sunset cruise or dinner with a larger group, dinner tours on board a yacht or offering a more intimate small group experience start from $100 per person.

These tours do not always include drinks, which may be available at an extra cost. Some dinner cruises will permit up to 2 children free of charge as long as they are accompanied by 2 full paying adults.

Dubai Marina Zip Line tours cost from roughly $180 per person for a single zipline ride from the Amwaj Towers across the marina and to the Dubai Marina Mall.

What does the price include?

Tours of Dubai Marina differ, as do their itinerary. Any water based tour explores the waterways of the Dubai Marina, with informative details about the district and the various landmarks shared by your tour guide. Many, but not all tours include a snack or meal, and drinks may or may not be part of your specific choice of tour.

Some tours include hotel pickups, but you may need to make your own  way to the meeting point. Safety equipment such as life vests are provided where necessary. Dinner tours may also include live entertainment.

Zipline tours at Dubai Marina include transport from the check-in booth to the launch platform, safety equipment and photos of your activity. Some tours of this type also include a meal and buying merchandise is optional.

Where does it start?

Yacht, speedboat and dhow cruises of Dubai Marina start at one of the piers along the promenade. The ziplining experience is located next to the Dubai Marina Mall. All tours provide meeting point specifics on their booking sites.

What is the typical duration of Dubai Marina tours?

Tours to Dubai Marina typically last from 1.5 to 2 hours. There are shorter excursions and activities and some, particularly dinner cruises, extend beyond this time. For planning purposes, however, you can expect a tour of around this length.

Are they wheelchair friendly?

Most of the vessels used for boat tours in and around the Dubai Marina are not accessible if you are in a wheelchair. Passenger safety onboard watercraft as well as the nature of the types of activities offered at Dubai Marina make many tours unsuitable for wheelchair users.

The Dubai Marina itself is accommodating for people who may have mobility challenges. A land based private tour may, therefore, be a better alternative.

When is the best time for a Dubai Marina tour in Dubai?

The best time for a Dubai Marina tour in Dubai is during the evening, preferably right before sunset.

This allows visitors to observe the captivating transformation from day to night, as the city's renowned skyline and marina sparkle with vibrant lights. The pleasant weather and enchanting vistas create an unforgettable and enjoyable experience.

Travel tips

• Opt for an evening Dubai Marina tour to experience the mesmerizing cityscape as it shifts from day to night, adorned with dazzling lights.
• Ensure you reserve your tour in advance to guarantee availability, particularly during busy tourist periods.
• Dress in comfortable, layered clothing to adapt to changing weather conditions during the evening.
• Don't forget your camera to immortalize the breathtaking sights of the Dubai Marina and its environs.
• Adhere to the tour operator's regulations and recommendations to ensure a secure and gratifying experience for all participants.