Private Boat Cruise with Swim Stop from Dubai Marina

4.9 (661 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Private Boat Cruise with Swim Stop from Dubai Marina

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Overview

Have a boat to yourselves and see Dubai from the water. This private cruise leaves Dubai Marina with just your group of up to six guests, an English-speaking captain and crew. The default three-hour cruise passes the towers of the Marina, the beachfront of JBR and the giant Ain Dubai wheel, then follows Palm Jumeirah to the Burj Al Arab, with an extended stop to swim in the open sea. Relax on the sunbeds, connect your own music to the sound system, enjoy juice and water on board and bring your own snacks for a picnic. Two-hour and evening one-hour cruises are also available. Ideal for families, couples and friends who want a flexible, private time on the water.

Highlights

  • Private boat for your group of up to 6 guests
  • Dubai Marina, JBR and Ain Dubai from the water
  • Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab
  • Extended swimming stop in the open sea on the 3-hour cruise
  • Sunbeds, indoor cabin and bathroom on board
  • Connect your own music to the sound system
  • Juice, water and life jackets included; bring your own snacks

Full Description

Dubai Marina

Your cruise begins in Dubai Marina, a three-kilometre man-made canal carved along the coast and lined with residential towers, some of the tallest in the world. Leaving the berth, you glide past the Marina Walk promenade, yachts at their moorings and the twisting shape of one of its most photographed towers.

Seeing the Marina from a boat is the best way to appreciate its scale, with the towers rising straight from the water on both sides. A Dubai Marina boat tour is also calm and sheltered, a gentle start before the boat heads out to sea.

JBR beachfront and Ain Dubai

Out of the Marina mouth, the boat runs along Jumeirah Beach Residence, a 1.7-kilometre line of towers above one of the city's most popular public beaches. Just offshore stands Bluewaters Island with Ain Dubai, a giant observation wheel about 250 metres tall, one of the largest in the world.

From the water you see the whole JBR skyline at once, with the beach, the promenade and the wheel lined up in one frame. This is the full route of the one-hour cruise, which runs in the evening when the towers are lit.

Palm Jumeirah

On the two- and three-hour cruises, the boat continues along Palm Jumeirah, the palm-shaped island built from sand dredged from the sea floor. You cruise beside the outer crescent and see the grand resort at its tip, with its arched central tower, and the beaches and hotels that line the breakwater.

The waters around the Palm are usually calm and clear, which makes this stretch a favourite for photos and for spotting the details of the island that are hard to see from land.

Burj Al Arab

The cruise then heads along the coast to the Burj Al Arab, the 321-metre sail-shaped tower standing on its own island off Jumeirah Beach. Approaching from the sea, as the designers intended, you see its curved white facade at its most striking.

The captain slows down so you can take photos with the tower behind you, one of the classic Dubai pictures. It is a highlight of any Burj Al Arab boat tour and the turning point of the route.

Swim stop in the open sea

On the way back the boat anchors in calm, clear water so you can swim from the ladder at the stern, float in the sea and dry off on the sunbeds. The three-hour cruise gives you extended swimming time, while the two-hour cruise includes a shorter stop.

Life jackets are on board for everyone, and the indoor cabin and bathroom make changing easy. Bring swimwear, sunscreen and towels, as towels are not provided. The best time for swimming is from October to May, when the sea is warm and the air comfortable.

Itinerary

  1. Boarding in Dubai MarinaMeet the captain at the berth and board your private boat.
  2. Dubai Marina cruiseAbout 15 minutes through the Marina past the towers and Marina Walk.
  3. JBR and Ain DubaiAbout 15 minutes along the JBR beachfront with views of the observation wheel.
  4. Palm JumeirahAbout 30 minutes along the Palm and its crescent (2- and 3-hour cruises).
  5. Burj Al ArabAbout 15 minutes near the sail-shaped tower for photos (2- and 3-hour cruises).
  6. Swim stopSwim and relax in the open sea; longest on the 3-hour cruise.
  7. Return to Dubai MarinaCruise back to the berth.

What's included

  • Private boat for your group (up to 6 guests)
  • Dubai Marina, Marina Walk, JBR and Ain Dubai
  • English-speaking captain and crew
  • Juice and water on board
  • Life jackets
  • Sound system to connect your own music
  • Indoor cabin, sunbeds and bathroom

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Towels
  • Food (you are welcome to bring your own snacks)

Is this right for you?

Great for

  • Couples, families and friends who want a private tour, just your group
  • Anyone who wants to see it from the water
  • A short visit — about 1 hour
  • Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers

Think twice if

  • You need hotel pickup — you meet at the meeting point
  • You get seasick easily

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

Meet the captain at the boat berth in Dubai Marina. We send the exact pier location and directions with your booking confirmation. Please arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Hotel transfers are not included.

Important information

  • Maximum 6 guests per boat; larger groups book a second boat
  • Bring your passport or ID card for the marina check
  • Bring swimwear, towels and sunscreen; towels are not provided
  • You are welcome to bring your own snacks and soft drinks
  • The 1-hour cruise runs in the evening and has no swim stop
  • Swimming depends on sea conditions and the captain's decision
  • Not suitable for wheelchair users

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

Is this a shared or a private experience?

It is fully private: the boat, captain and crew are only for your group.

How long does it take?

Choose 1, 2 or 3 hours. The default is the 3-hour cruise with an extended swim stop.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, you meet the boat in Dubai Marina. We send the exact pier location after booking.

What is included?

The private boat with captain and crew, juice and water, life jackets, a sound system for your music, sunbeds, an indoor cabin and a bathroom.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is for the whole boat and your group, up to six guests. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each duration.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, it is a family-friendly cruise and life jackets are provided. Children should be supervised by an adult while swimming.

Is it suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Boarding involves steps from the pier, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can we bring food?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and soft drinks for a picnic on board.

Where do we swim?

The boat anchors in calm, clear water near Palm Jumeirah, chosen by the captain on the day.

What is the best time of day?

Morning and late afternoon are best for swimming and soft light; the sunset departures give golden views of the Burj Al Arab, and the evening 1-hour cruise shows the lit Marina.

What happens in bad weather?

If wind or waves make the sea unsafe, the captain may shorten the route or we reschedule or refund your cruise.

How do I book and confirm?

Choose the duration, date and start time in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes.

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