Adventure activities are becoming more and more popular throughout the world. Some like to experience extreme thrill, whereas; others prefer a moderate level of excitement. There could surely not be a better place than Dubai throughout the world, where you will get to experience all the different kinds of adventures, all in one place. Apart from offering the best of desert adventure activities, Dubai also offers some of the best of the sky as well as water sports to add to your itinerary. Some of the must-try adventures in Dubai include Skydiving, Flyboarding, Quad Biking, and morning desert safari.
While Dubai may be better known for its retail haunts, more and more travelers are making the journey to the City of Gold to experience some truly thrilling adventure sports. Beyond the traditional tourist attractions, shopping, and wining and dining, Dubai offers its visitors plenty of indoor and outdoor adventure activities to be explored.
If you’re seeking adventure, Dubai has it in spades. Whether it’s by land, sea, or air, Dubai and its surrounding landscape is a huge playground for adventure lovers. From skydiving and desert safari to skiing in the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, Dubai is truly an undeniable blissful adventure.
10 must-try thrilling experiences in Dubai
1. Skydiving
Skydiving is surely there on a majority’s bucket list. Moreover, Dubai is one of the best places throughout the world to experience this amazing adventure. Not only does Dubai offer some of the best skydiving facilities and experts, but also has one of the most mesmerizing coastal landscapes and a mind-blowing aerial view of Dubai’s skyline, including Burj Khalifa, Palm Islands, and the World Island.
This thrilling activity allows you to jump off a plane from a height of approximately 4000 metres and fly down to the wonderful landscape of Dubai. You can experience solo or tandem skydiving in Dubai based on your diving experience. Falling from at least 4,000 meters in the air isn’t exactly most people’s idea of fun. But for thrill seekers, skydiving is right up their alley. The thrill of free falling is an undeniable experience and one that cannot be easily mimicked.
The rush of jumping out of a plane is the ultimate thrill ride. Daredevils traveling to Dubai get to experience this epic adventure as they leap out of a turboprop plane at almost 4,000 meters. Particularly as you freefall to the sights of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and the city’s towering skyline. For inexperienced skydivers, tandem parachute flights are available. It’s important to note that age, height, and weight restrictions do apply, so inquire before you go.
2. Water Parks
Dubai’s water parks are a welcome sight for thrill seekers in search of aquatic adrenaline rushes. Aquaventure Waterpark, Wild Wadi Water Park, and LEGOLAND Water Park are just some of the water parks available in Dubai ready to provide liquid thrills. No matter your chosen water park, each is a vast playground for adults and kids alike. Aquaventure Waterpark has a near-vertical plunging waterslide aptly named Leap of Faith.
Meanwhile, Wild Wadi offers the exhilarating Jumeirah Sceirah, a death-defying tandem slide that is a wild ride from start to finish. Certain water rides will have minimum height requirements. Opening hours will also vary according to the water park and by season. Check each respective website for more information.
3. Hot Air Ballooning
Savor the best of Dubai’s landscape with an early morning hot air balloon experience. Take to the skies as you bear witness to an incredible sunrise peaking its way through the Hajar Mountains and blanketing Dubai’s endless sand dunes with its warm glow.
As you glide up and away from the city, you are given a fantastic vantage point to view Dubai’s dramatic and beautiful desert landscape. Rising in popularity over the years, certain hot air ballooning experiences provide a complete adventure package complete with a falcon show and gourmet breakfast once your feet return to the ground.
4. Quad Biking
One of the most exciting activities, which is a part of all Dubai packages is Quad Biking. Get onto that 4×4 wheel drive, with a light body, humongous tires, and a powerful engine to show your skills on the sand dunes. Riding a quad bike makes it very easy for you to climb up and down crazy sand dunes and pack in a lot of fun and adventure.
Moreover, it is not necessary to know to ride or drive to take up this exciting activity. Anyone can learn to ride a quad bike quickly and start their desert adventure.
5. Dune Bashing
Did you ever imagine how exciting and adventurous it could be to experience off-roading on the crazy terrain of Dubai’s sand dunes? This is exactly what dune bashing has to offer! You will be strapped down to the seats of some of the best 4×4 drives in the world like Hummer or Land Cruiser. A professional off-roader will handle the wheel and take you on an amazing journey of off-roading in the desert, gliding over the smooth sands of Dubai. This experience is surely more adventurous and exciting than one of the best roller coaster rides.
6. Ziplining
Dubai is home to the world’s longest zipline. If you wish that adrenaline pumps through your body, you surely need to take up this amazing activity. The Jebel Jais Flight is the longest zipline of the world, passing almost 1860 metres off the ground, with gliding speeds as high as 150km/hour. The zip lining experience allows you to admire the uninterrupted beauty of the highest mountains of UAE, the Jebel Jais.
Another amazing ziplining experience that you can enjoy in Dubai is at Xline Dubai Marina, which allows you to glide at a height of 170 metres, just above the admirable Dubai Marina.
7. Sandboarding
This adventure activity is similar to snowboarding. However, instead of sliding down a snow-clad mountain with the help of your surfboard, you shall be sliding down a majestic sand dune. This activity is becoming more and more popular in Dubai due to the lack of snow-clad mountains, even in the far-off vicinity of the city. Moreover, it is a completely different experience and will surely leave you amazed.
Also, it is entirely safe to experience and can also be considered to be taken up by your family for a fun-packed day outing.
8. Climbing
Dubai may have a flat, desert landscape, but in a nearby emirate, there is a unique mountaineering experience that is both challenging and exhilarating. The Hajar Mountains and the mountainous parts of Ras Al Khaimah offer climbers, hikers, and mountaineers memorable, picturesque views from the summit. With limited technical climbing available, this adventure experience is perfect for any tourist seeking to escape Dubai’s glittering metropolis.
However, if your climbing experience is more catered to the indoors, there’s plenty of opportunities to get vertical in Dubai. The Rock Republic, Pharaoh’s Club, and other rock climbing venues allow adventure enthusiasts the opportunity to scale walls like Spider-Man.
9. Surfing
Taking to the waves off Dubai’s coast is the perfect way to cool off. While not known as a surfing destination, surf seekers will find plenty of action here in Dubai. With pleasant water temperatures and the absence of rocks or corals, Dubai is the ideal place for casual surfers to develop their technique.
The World Islands, Palm islands, the Dubai Eye, and other coastal re-developments offer limited surfing opportunities, but there are still plenty of breaks to be had if you know where to look. Sunset Beach and North Beach are both a surfer’s paradise, though the latter is more catered to experienced surfers due to the formation of high swells throughout the season.
10. Desert Safari
Your visit to Dubai is surely incomplete if you do not try out this unique Dubai adventure. This is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Dubai. A desert safari will take you to a camp in the depths of the dense desert that surrounds Dubai. Here you will be able to indulge in some amazing desert activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, as well as camel riding. You can also plan to enjoy a scrumptious dinner in the cool evening of the desert. This is one of the best adventures for those who wish to enjoy a true desert experience.
Dune bashing, camel rides, and sandboarding are a must while exploring the desert. Each is a different thrill that is sure to get your heart racing. When the sun dips below the horizon, complete your desert excursion with a relaxing camping retreat under the unrivaled Arabian stars. Dine and feast on a delicious barbeque dinner by the fire as you enjoy a traditional tanoura dance performance.
11. Scuba Diving
Just like on land, there is plenty to see and do under Dubai’s waters. Despite being overlooked as a top diving destination, Dubai offers a range of dive sites that offer pristine reefs, incredible wreckage, and an abundance of marine life.
There are night dives, reef dives, and guided dives available to adventure seekers off the coast of Dubai. For those hesitant to take the plunge into the deep blue sea, aquarium dives are available at the Dubai Aquarium located in The Dubai Mall. For any indoor or outdoor diving excursion, restrictions apply, so check before going.
12. Indoor Skiing
No adventure experience in Dubai could be considered complete without a pilgrimage to Ski Dubai. The first of its kind in the Gulf Region, Ski Dubai is a wonderfully enchanting alpine winter wonderland situated in the Mall of the Emirates. Ski Dubai’s mountain can serve as the perfect escape for slope-starved expats and adventure tourists looking to escape Dubai’s sweltering heat.
While it may not compare to places like the Alps, curious tourists and snow virgins can be challenged enough to enjoy the experience.
13. Flyboarding
If you wish to experience the feeling of flying over the waters, this is the activity meant for you. Flyboarding is one of the latest additions to the world of adventure sports. In this activity, the person gets on a board, which is connected to a water hose, which is further connected to a jet ski engine. The jet ski engine pumps water through the hose at great pressure, allowing the board to hover in the air, up to a height of 10 metres. Further, there are hand controls that can be used to manoeuvre the board once the person is in mid-air.
This relatively new adventure sport utilizes snowboard-style bindings and a water-powered jetpack to propel adventure lovers high above the Persian Gulf. If your quest for adrenaline-filled activities includes an aquatic component, then flyboarding will suit your needs. The ultimate, gravity-defying watersport, flyboarding is an adrenaline-filled watersport experience unlike any other.
With twin jet nozzles strapped to your feet, you are free to slice through the water or zoom around in the air like a superhero.
14. Autodrome Racing
The ability to race a supercar around a dedicated race track is a dream for many adrenaline junkies. At Dubai Autodrome, rubber truly meets the road. The ultimate motoring experience, racing around the Autodrome is an unforgettable life-defining experience. Specially prepared authentic Formula One race cars like the Jaguar F1 2000 or the Arrows F1 2002 allow thrill seekers and car enthusiasts alike to feel the power of acceleration and the heart-racing pace of an F1 race.
If letting loose on the track may be too much to handle, Dubai Autodrome also has a dedicated indoor and outdoor circuit for kart racing aptly named “Kartdrome.”
Finding adventure with Dubai
Dubai’s reputation may be steered more towards being a glamorous playground, but those seeking adventure will be spoiled for choice with Dubai’s rich variety of adrenaline activities, all just waiting to be experienced.
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