Self-Drive Dhow Cruise Marina Dubai – Dinner Cruise from AED 150
Tour Details
- 5.0 (45 Reviews)
- Recommended by 99% of Travelers
- Dubai Marina
- Cancel 48h+ ahead: full refund
- Self-Drive · Meet at Dubai Marina
- Duration: 2 Hours (Cruise Only)
- Boarding Time 19:30
- Departure Time 20:30
- Return Time: 22:30
About This Tour
About the Self-Drive Dhow Cruise in Dubai Marina
The Self-Drive Dhow Cruise is a 2 hour dinner cruise in Dubai Marina where you make your own way to the jetty, with no hotel transfer needed. Guests board the Royal Liberty, a modern two-deck cruise boat with an air-conditioned lower deck and an open upper deck. The dhow sails along Dubai Marina Canal, a manmade waterway. This canal stretches 3.5 kilometers through Dubai Marina’s skyline.
Dubai is a city best understood from its water, and the Dubai Marina at night is the proof. This is the district that didn’t exist a generation ago an entirely man made canal carved into the coast, now walled with some of the tallest residential towers on Earth, every one of them lit. A Dhow Cruise Marina sets you afloat in the middle of it: the Royal Liberty, gliding the still canal water at a walking pace while the illuminated skyline wheels slowly past your open deck, dinner on the table and the city’s noise reduced to a distant, pleasant hum.
The cruise runs around two hours, and its rhythm is gentle by design. You’ll board at the Marina as the boat fills and the light fades, then push off into the canal as the towers switch fully to night mode. Dinner is an international buffet served in the saloon grilled meats, Arabic and continental dishes, salads, and desserts, always with vegetarian options. Live entertainment runs through the cruise, typically including the mesmerising Tanoura dance.
Couples, families, and travellers who’ve spent a high energy day on their feet all find this the perfect evening a slow, full stomached exhale where the only thing you have to do is sit, eat, and look up.
Couples & Romantics
One of the most quietly romantic evenings in Dubai the open deck at night has hosted more than a few proposals
Families
A boat with a buffet and a dancer entertains every age while the parents actually relax
Decompression Seekers
After a high-energy day desert, city tour, malls this is Dubai's great decompression evening
A Note on Choosing
- Want more adventure? Pair with an Evening Desert Safari the day before.
- Prefer old Dubai scenery? Our Dubai City Tour visits the historic Creek and souks.
- Special occasion? Private tables and decorations can be arranged ask at booking.
October 20, 2026
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Adult
AED 150
Child
AED 150
Infant
AED 150
Self-Drive Dhow Cruise Marina
Boarding 19:30 · Departure 20:30 · 2 Hours
From AED 150 / person
- Two hour cruise through Dubai Marina on the Royal Liberty cruise boat
- Illuminated Marina skyline tower canyon, Ain Dubai wheel, and the sea reach
- International buffet dinner with vegetarian options, served in air conditioned saloon
- Live onboard entertainment including the Tanoura dance
- Open upper deck for views, breeze, and photography
- Romantic for couples, easy for families, effortless for everyone
- Self-drive: meet us directly at the Dubai Marina boarding point
- Pairs perfectly with the night after a desert safari
No payment required to reserve · Pay later option available
Tour Highlights
Everything that makes this cruise evening special
Modern Two-Deck Cruise Boat
The Royal Liberty: an air-conditioned lower deck for dining and an open upper deck for skyline views
Illuminated Skyline Views
Tower canyon, Ain Dubai wheel, and the sea reach all come to you from the open deck without moving
International Buffet Dinner
Arabic and continental dishes, grilled meats, salads, and desserts a proper dinner cruise, not a snack-and-sail
Onboard Shows
Tanoura dance and live onboard shows run through the cruise as the boat reaches its most dramatic skyline stretches
Live entertainment
Tanoura dance and live music on board as you cruise past the lit Marina skyline.
Romantic & Family Friendly
A fixture of our Honeymoon Package Dubai and equally loved by families calm water, great food, spectacular views
What’s Included
- Two hour Dubai Marina dhow cruise
- International buffet dinner with vegetarian options
- Unlimited water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee
- Live onboard entertainment
- Access to air conditioned saloon and open upper deck
- All taxes and fees
What’s Not Included
- Hotel transfers (need pickup? Choose our Dhow Cruise with Hotel Transfer, from AED 250)
- Alcoholic beverages (availability varies by vessel ask at booking)
- Private tables or whole dhow charters (quoted on request)
- Premium/VIP deck packages (available on selected vessels)
- Gratuities
Hour by Hour
Self-Drive Dhow Cruise Itinerary
A real, timed sequence exact boarding details for your self-drive dhow cruise confirmed the day before by WhatsApp.
Start 7:00 PM | Arrive at Dubai Marina
Make your own way to the Dubai Marina boarding point by taxi, Dubai Tram, Metro or car. The exact jetty location is sent on WhatsApp after booking.
7:30 PM | Boarding at Dubai Marina
Welcome aboard as the boat fills and the skyline finishes turning on. Settle in the saloon or claim a spot on the open deck.
8:30 PM | Cast Off
The dhow pushes into the canal, towers rising lit on both sides as the city slips into night mode.
8:45 PM | Buffet Dinner Service
The international buffet opens in the saloon eat below, drift up between courses for the views.
9:15 PM | Live Entertainment
The onboard show runs as the boat reaches the Marina's most dramatic skyline stretches.
10:00 PM | The Turn for Home
A slow circuit back toward the boarding point, the open deck at its quietest and most photogenic.
End Disembark & Return
The cruise docks around 10:30 PM. Step ashore at Dubai Marina, right by the promenade, cafes and taxi ranks.
Good To Know
What to Expect on the Self-Drive Dhow Cruise
The Pace
The pace is slow and entirely the point. The dhow moves at a stroll, the evening has no agenda beyond dinner and the view, and the most strenuous decision you’ll face is saloon or deck for dessert. Guests who’ve had a packed day consistently call it the best timed evening of their trip.
The Dining
A generous international buffet in the air conditioned saloon Arabic and continental dishes, grilled items, salads, and desserts, with vegetarian options always present. It’s a proper dinner cruise, not a snack and sail; come hungry.
The Deck
The open upper deck is where the evening lives cooler air, unobstructed skyline, and the best photographs. It’s also the romantic heart of the boat after dark; couples gravitate there and stay.
Comfort and Motion
The Marina canal is sheltered and calm this is flat water cruising, not open sea, so seasickness is essentially a non-issue even for those who worry about boats. The ride is smooth enough that the buffet never wobbles.
Weather
Year round. Winter evenings on the deck are perfect; summer nights are warm but the breeze off the water and the air conditioned saloon keep it comfortable. Light rain rarely affects the sheltered canal cruise.
Photography
The Marina at night is a photographer’s gift mirror still water doubling the tower lights, the Ain Dubai wheel glowing on Bluewaters, and long exposure opportunities from the stable deck.
Logistics
Meeting Point for the Self-Drive Dhow Cruise
Boarding Point
Dubai Marina dhow jetty exact pier details confirmed at booking. Easy access from the Marina promenade.
Getting There
This is the self-drive package: reach Dubai Marina by taxi, Dubai Tram (Dubai Marina Mall stop), Dubai Metro or your own car; public paid parking is available around the Marina. Staying near Dubai Marina, JBR or JLT? Many guests simply walk.
Departure timing
Boarding from 7:30 PM, departure at 8:30 PM and return to the jetty around 10:30 PM. Please arrive 15–20 minutes early.
Marina vs Creek
This cruise runs the modern Marina skyline; a Creek dhow offers old Dubai heritage scenery. We currently operate the Dubai Marina cruise only.
Contact
Phone and WhatsApp support throughout the evening; jetty location and boarding details shared in advance.
Dubai Marina – Boarding Point
Boarding point: Dubai Marina, at the dhow jetty (exact pier confirmed on booking). Self-drive guests meet our team at the jetty 15–20 minutes before boarding.
Plan Ahead
Accessibility
Wheelchair Users
Boarding involves a gangway and steps between saloon and upper deck. Contact us to assign the most accessible vessel and arrange boarding assistance.
Strollers
Can be folded and stowed; the saloon is stroller-friendly. The upper deck is accessible via stairs.
Infants & Toddlers
All ages welcome the buffet, the boat, and the show suit families, and the calm water makes it stress free with little ones.
Seniors
An easy, comfortable evening seated dining, gentle motion, and no walking required beyond boarding. A favourite for multi-generation groups.
Pregnant Guests
Fully suitable calm flat water cruising, comfortable seated dining, and no jolts. One of the most relaxing evenings we offer expecting travellers.
Physical requirements
Boarding via gangway and (on most vessels) stairs to reach the upper deck; the saloon and dining require none.
Before You Go
Additional Information
Best Time to Visit
Year round. October to April offers perfect deck weather; summer is comfortable thanks to the breeze and the air conditioned saloon. Weekend evenings book busiest.
What to Wear
Smart casual works beautifully it’s a dress up a-little evening without being formal. A light layer is welcome on the deck in winter.
What to Bring
Camera or phone for the skyline, and little else dinner, drinks, and entertainment are all aboard.
Special Occasions
Birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals suit the deck perfectly cakes, private tables, and decorations can be arranged. The open deck at night is a quietly spectacular setting for couples.
Dietary Needs
Vegetarian options are standard on the buffet; vegan, gluten free, and other requirements are handled with advance notice just tell us at booking.
Pair It Well
The dhow is the ideal decompression evening after a busy day a Dubai City Tour, a desert day, or shopping. Many guests book it the night after an Evening Desert Safari; the full range is on our Desert Safari Dubai page. Curious what the evening actually looks like? See our Dhow Cruise Marina guide.
Book With Confidence
Cancellation Policy
- Full refund if cancelled 48+ hours before departure
- Cancellations 24–48 hours before departure receive a 50% refund; cancellations within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable, as dining places are reserved by name.
- No-shows are charged in full
- Cruises we cancel for weather or operational reasons are rescheduled free or refunded in full.
- Date changes are free with more than 24 hours’ notice, subject to availability.
100%
Refund · 48+ hours before pickup
50%
Refund · 24–48 hours before pickup
0%
Refund · Less than 24 hours before pickup
48+ hours prior: 100% refund
24–48 hours prior: 50% refund
Less than 24 hours: No refund
Book Your Self-Drive Dhow Cruise
A relaxed, unforgettable evening on the water dinner, skyline views, and live entertainment. Book your Dubai Marina dhow cruise today.
+971 50 198 3380
info@desertleapsafari.com
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Self-Drive Dhow Cruise FAQs
Boarding starts at 7:30 PM, the cruise departs at 8:30 PM daily and returns to the jetty around 10:30 PM.
No, alcohol is not served on board. Included drinks are non alcoholic chilled juices, soft drinks, and water, served throughout the cruise.
Yes. Children aged 0–3 join free, with a maximum of 2 per family. Children aged 4 and above pay the standard adult rate.
Yes, a full international buffet with Arabic and continental dishes, grilled items, salads, and desserts, always including vegetarian options, served in the air conditioned saloon.
Very, all ages are welcome, the calm water suits little ones, and the buffet plus show format keeps children happy while parents relax.
Yes, fully calm cruising, seated comfortable dining, and no jolts make it one of the most relaxing evenings we offer expecting travellers.
Absolutely cakes, private tables, and decorations can be arranged for birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals. The open deck at night is a quietly spectacular setting.
Most guests love it as a wind down after a high energy day or evening classically, the night after a desert safari or a full city tour.