Everything You Need to Know About a Dhow Cruise in Dubai

Dubai is a city that offers unique attractions and experiences. From being home to the tallest building in the world to giving you the opportunity to explore its vast deserts, there is no dearth of special experiences in Dubai. One such remarkable experience is the dhow cruise in Dubai. A one-of-a-kind experience that you will only see in Dubai, going on a dhow cruise is one of the best ways to spend an evening in Dubai. Here we provide you all the details you need to know about dhow cruise in Dubai.

What is a dhow?

Before you know about dhow cruise Dubai, it is important to know what exactly a dhow is. Dhows are large, traditional wooden boats that were used for trading and transportation during the times when Dubai was a simple fishing village. Today, these dhows, which were a part of the city’s maritime heritage, have been converted into floating restaurants. Decorated with beautiful lights, the dhows are an integral part of Dubai’s tourism.

What is a Dhow Cruise?

The dhow cruise is in reality a dinner cruise, where you get to have a delicious meal while enjoying the beauty of the city. The dhow is a vessel with two-floors, an open-air upper deck and an airconditioned lower deck. Complete with chairs and tables, these dhow cruises are nothing less than a luxurious restaurant. Along with dinner and sightseeing, the dhow cruise also includes entertainment for the guests. Going on a dhow cruise in Dubai is the best way to enjoy a relaxing evening and the Arabic hospitality as well.

Types of Dhow Cruises

Dhow cruises happen in 3 parts of the city: Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Canal. While the experience during the cruise is more or less the same, what changes is the sights you see during the cruise. Let us look at each of them in detail.

Dubai Creek: The Dubai Creek is a natural inlet that divides the city into Bur Dubai and Deira. It is a historically important place, as it is here where the Arabs first settled when they shifted from the desert to the city. Cruising on Dubai Creek will give you the chance to see the beautiful sights of the old city with its traditional houses, wind towers, souks or markets, etc. Along with the old buildings, you will also get to see the modern structures that adorn the Dubai Creek.

Dubai Marina: While Dubai Creek represents old Dubai, the Dubai Marina is all about the new and modern Dubai. A manmade water canal, the Dubai Marina is where you get to see some of the most astounding architectural wonders of Dubai. While on a dhow cruise on Dubai Marina, you get to see the Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm, etc. The Dubai Marina is filled with luxury hotels, swanky restaurants, stylish malls, and vibrant nightclubs. The place truly comes alive after sunset, and you can enjoy the vibrancy of the place during your evening Dubai dinner cruise on Dubai Marina.

Dubai Canal: The Dubai Canal is a 6.4 km long artificial waterfront that runs through Dubai’s most famous Sheikh Zayed Road. Comprising a cycling track, a running track, 5 pedestrian bridges, and a mechanical waterfall, the Dubai Water Canal is home to stunning sights. During the cruise on the water canal, you get see the Burj Khalifa, Festival City Mall, Business Bay, Ras Al Khor Sanctuary, etc.

What to Expect on a Dhow Cruise in Dubai?

The dhow cruise in Dubai lasts for 2-3 hours, during which you get to enjoy entertaining programs, great food, and beautiful sights.

Welcome Onboard: As you enter the dhow, you will be welcomed by the staff who will guide you to your table. Once you are settled, you will be offered welcome drinks. The dhow begins its journey as you sip on your drinks and admire the beauty of the city. You are also free to move to the upper decks (if you are seated on the lower decks) to enjoy the view of the place. The ambience of the dhow cruise is soothing with beautiful lights and soft music playing in the background.

Dinner: The dinner is one of the key elements of the dhow cruise. Dinner is usually served buffet style and is made up of 3 courses: starters and salads, main course, and dessert. The food is usually a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, from different types of cuisines, including Mediterranean, Western, Asian, Continental, and local specialties as well. Alcohol is also available onboard but is not usually included in your dhow cruise package. On special days like New Year’s Eve, dhow cruises also offer cake and champagne as part of the celebrations.

Entertainment: The entertaining programs on the dhow cruise will depend on the type of cruise you selected. While it is possible to customize your entertainment package for a private cruise, most dhow cruises have Tanoura dance performance. Apart from this, you may also find a cruise that offers belly dancing performance, fire dance, DJ, or even live music.

How to Choose a Dhow Cruise?

Various factors contribute to your decision of choosing a dhow cruise for yourself. The most important is budget. You will find dhow cruises with different prices, making it easier to choose a dhow cruise price in Dubai that fits your budget. Another factor that helps to decide is the place you want to see, i.e., whether it is Dubai Creek, Marina, or Canal.

Conclusion

The dhow cruise is an experience that you will get only in Dubai. So, do not miss it when you are in the city. With the views, food, and entertainment, dhow cruise promises you a memorable evening.