Adrenaline meets luxury when you try these water sports in Dubai

Located directly on the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a wonderful spot for those in search of exciting diving adventures. A refreshing change from the heat of the city, under the glossy Gulf Sea, a colourful and rich underwater world full of wildlife awaits. Experienced divers can explore shipwrecks such as the MV Ludwig, a German cargo vessel now cloaked in coral and shoals of snapper, or the Zainab, an oil tanker that’s become a sanctuary for barracuda and batfish. Beginners may enjoy booking a tour when scuba diving in Dubai with groups leaving from Kite Beach and the calm shallows off Jumeirah Beach. Venture out to The World Islands to enjoy your first descent with guides by your side at all times. Fujairah’s east coast (just 90 minutes from the city) reveals volcanic rock formations, turtles gliding through the blue, and some of the UAE’s most pristine reefs. With warm waters year-round and visibility often topping 20 metres, Dubai’s dive scene delivers far more than a quick dip. 

Some may argue, however, that the best scuba diving in Dubai can be enjoyed at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest swimming pool. Here, an indoor aquarium recreates a hidden, sunken city with different areas open to varying abilities. Swim around buildings, through tunnels and explore the entire city. Children can snorkel here too, ensuring they don’t miss out on the fun. 

A romantic dinner, spa day or beach stroll are lovely ideas for couples, but if you want to spice things up, hiring a jetski in Dubai is sure to make your other half smile. Few thrills rival skimming across the Arabian Gulf with Dubai’s skyline rising dramatically behind you. Here, daredevils will realise that it's not about speed for speed’s sake. But more about the spectacle. Weave past the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, carve waves with the Palm Jumeirah in view and don’t miss the chance to catch an action shot with the Burj Khalifa in the distance. You will find that jet ski rental offices along Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Marina cater to novices and adrenaline junkies alike. You can even hire a car jet ski in Dubai, ideal for petrol heads looking for an aquatic thrill. Expect warm waters, wide-open stretches and a cinematic backdrop that offers a front row seat to the city’s most iconic views. 

If you have already tried a luxury jet ski in Dubai, why not try something new? If ever a water sport felt made for Dubai’s appetite for spectacle, it’s flyboarding. Feel like the king of the waves as you are lifted several metres above the Gulf while strapped to a board powered by high-pressure jets. Soar above the waves before plunging back into the sea with a splash. Hire an instructor who will help you master the control and balance needed for a perfect take off and of course, the inevitable nose dive that follows. More advanced and daring participants will love mastering flips, spins and mid-air stunts. All made even more spectacular with the city’s skyline in the background. Equal parts adrenaline rush and performance art, flyboarding in Dubai turns the shoreline into a stage, and you into the star of the show. 

Not every water sport in Dubai needs to be high-octane. For those looking for something slower and more contemplative, hiring a kayak in Dubai offers a more relaxed way to experience the city’s coastline from the water. Early risers will enjoy paddling out at dawn from Jumeirah Beach and enjoying the first blush of sunrise while bobbing on the calm waters. For a dash of luxury, Dubai Marina provides a striking contrast with skyscrapers looming overhead and luxury yachts alongside you. Nature lovers can head over to the mangroves at Al Rafisah Dam, outside the city, where they can experience a secret side of Dubai, complete with still waters and rugged mountains. Single and double kayaks are available to hire and most tours include stop-offs at secluded stretches of sand for a well-deserved rest.

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) combines fitness and tranquillity and has quickly grown to become one of the most stylish water sports in Dubai. Wake up early and paddleboard over the city’s glassy waters, either tracing the curve of the Palm Jumeirah or drifting peacefully by the marina. SUP yoga sessions are a popular way of combining two sports in one with small groups stretching and balancing against a backdrop of turquoise sea. Stand-up paddleboards in Dubai can be hired along Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach and Dubai Marina, making it easy for beginners to find their rhythm or for seasoned paddlers to set off on longer routes during their fitness holidays.

Make the most of the Dubai kitesurfing season, which runs from December to April, and enjoy the strong and steady Gulf breezes and wide, open stretches of beach. Dubai has become a hotspot for kitesurfing, with Kite Beach the epicentre. Colourful sails dot the horizon and riders carve through the powerful waves with a blend of exhilaration and freedom as they launch into jumps and glides with the Burj Khalifa in the background. Mix surfing and sailing and you have kitesurfing in Dubai. Beginners can join classes along Jumeirah; meanwhile, more advanced surfers can head further out in search of stronger winds and bigger swells. When it comes to water sports in Dubai, few offer an adrenaline rush like kitesurfing.

Dubai’s flat, sun-kissed waters provide an ideal playground for adrenaline junkies keen to experience their next fix with wakeboarding. A mix between surfing and water skiing, wakeboarding in Dubai takes thrill seekers along Dubai Marina and Jumeirah’s coastline as boats tow riders at speed, sending them skimming across the Gulf before launching into jumps and tricks. Not for the faint-hearted, this is one of the more extreme water sports in Dubai. Yet, for those still finding their balance, cable parks across Dubai provide a gentler alternative with controlled circuits, ideal for honing skills. 

While you can enjoy holidays to Dubai all year round, there are months when the sun is not as strong and being out in the open is more enjoyable. The prime season for enjoying water sports in the Emirates runs from October to April. This is when daytime temperatures hover between 24ºC and 32ºC and the humidity is lower than in the summer. Perfect for exploring the city’s beaches. When it comes to the sea, the Arabian Gulf is warm year-round, usually between 23ºC in winter and 32ºC in peak summer. 

Scuba diving is best between October and May when water visibility reaches up to 20 metres. However, kitesurfing is best between December and April when the steady afternoon winds hit Kite Beach. For a more relaxed route, kayaking and paddleboarding are more enjoyable at sunrise from November to March with calm waters and gentle temperatures. Flyboarding and wakeboarding are easily done all year round, although the winter mornings are less choppy and ideal for newbies. While June to September are the hottest months with air temperatures soaring above 40ºc, visitors during this time book early morning and sunset slots, avoiding the midday heat.