Dhow Cruises in Dubai Worth the Day: Our 15 Picks

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,288 reviews · 1 - 5 days · from $55Our pick

Explore Dubai on Big Bus’s red and blue routes with open-top views, six-language commentary, and flexible hop-on access. See Burj Khalifa, Old Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Burj Al Arab. Upgrade to include a dhow cruise, Lost World Aquarium, Dubai Frame, or a desert sunset visit with camel and falcon encounters.

“The staff are wonderful and very helpful they are all wonderful people. It was a very hot day 38 and humidity was very high Thank you to all of you”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 678 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $68

See Dubai at your own pace on 1, 2, or 3 days of hop-on hop-off buses, with stops at the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, souks, and Al Fahidi. Your ticket also includes a Sunset and Night Tour and Al Seef dhow cruise. Two and three-day passes add Lost World Aquarium entry.

“Fady (Fahad Naeem) was truly one of the best guides we’ve ever had, and he made our desert safari unforgettable. From the very beginning, he was friendly, professional, and full of positive energy. His driving skills in the desert were impressive and made the entire experience both thrilling and safe. Highly recommended—if you get Fady, you’re in great hands.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 612 reviews · 1h 45m · from $16

Cruise Dubai Creek for 105 minutes aboard a traditional wooden dhow, with a buffet of local and international dishes, music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show. Meet Ocean Express staff opposite the British Embassy Dubai. Expect scenic views of the Old Souk, Dubai Creek Tower, water taxis, and the city lights.

“food good, music good and light on board entertainment with Turkish dancer 👍🏽”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Dinner Cruise in Dubai Marina onboard Alexandra Dhow

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 544 reviews · from $49

Board the refurbished Alexandra Dhow at Marina Promenade for a roughly 1 hour 45 minute dinner cruise through Dubai Marina. You’ll enjoy an international buffet, soft drinks, tea, and coffee while passing Cayan Tower, JBR, Bluewaters, and Ain Dubai. Choose your seating carefully, arrive early, and bring a light layer for the upper deck.

“Well organized, great staff and food. Blankets supplied which are definitely needed on a February night.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $80

You’ll spend about two hours aboard a traditional Arabian dhow on Dubai Creek, Dubai Canal, or Dubai Marina. Hotel pickup, an international buffet, Arabic treats, city lights, and onboard entertainment are included. The English-speaking host keeps things simple, while the exact route and departure time depend on availability.

“Totally worth it! A nice and relaxed atmosphere, good service and good food. Thank you.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Dubai Dhow Dinner Cruise Marina with pickup drop option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 248 reviews · from $37

Board a traditional Arabian dhow at Dubai Marina for a 90-minute evening cruise past Marina Yacht Club, Marina Mall, and Marina Towers. Choose a standard or premium buffet, sit on the open upper deck or in air conditioning below, and enjoy welcome drinks, tea, coffee, music, and a Tanoura show. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available with the transfer option.

“Was comfortable. Dinner table companions were delightful. Food was good, not great. Entertainment was great. Staff was hospitable. Good price for the money. Sights of Dubai were exhilarating. Would recommend to others”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Dinner Dhow Cruise with Live Entertainment Al Seef

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 234 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $12Best value

Board a traditional wooden dhow at Al Seef for a 1.5-hour Dubai Creek cruise with an open international buffet, unlimited water and soft drinks, music, Tanoura dancing, and a live puppet show. Host Naushad has earned special praise for his warm service. Expect shared tables and simple, good-value dining rather than fine dining.

“Entertainment was good! Food was very nice! Enjoyed our experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Dhow Dinner Cruise on Creek or Marina with Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 126 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $32

You will cruise Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina aboard a traditional wooden dhow, watch the city light up, and eat from a buffet of local and international dishes. Tea, coffee, sweets, fruit, vegetarian options, and live music or dance are included. Hotel pickup is available, but the meeting point depends on your booking option.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Dubai Creek Luxury Dhow Dinner Cruise with Optional Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · from $72

Set out from Al Seef at 8:30 p.m. for about two hours aboard a wooden dhow on Dubai Creek. You’ll see illuminated wind towers, minarets, bridges, and working waterfront scenes while eating an international buffet. Optional pickup and drop-off simplify the evening, but confirm entertainment and seating details before booking.

“Worst experience food was disappointing, everything bad totally waste of money I am frequent traveller and experienced many dinner cruises but this one was worst”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Dhow Cruise Dubai with Buffet Dinner, Dance & Horse Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $40Top rated

Spend about two hours aboard a traditional wooden dhow on Dubai Creek, with a buffet of vegetarian and nonvegetarian dishes, water, soft drinks, music, dance, and a horse show. Choose the upper deck for open-air atmosphere or the lower deck for a more sheltered meal. Fatima is noted for warm hosting.

“The views were unbelievable! The host went above and beyond to ensure everything was on point! Excellent food, amazing shows, great atmosphere! Would highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Dubai Creek Dhow Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · from $24

Board a traditional-style dhow at Al Seef for a one-hour cruise along Dubai Creek. You’ll pass abra boats, the Rolex Twin Towers, Maktoum Bridge, Infinity Bridge, and Dubai Heritage Village while Arabic music plays and a chilled soft drink is served. Commentary and departure timing can vary, so arrive early and confirm the pier location.

“I booked a guided (English commentary) tour of Dubai Creek lasting 1 hr from 10.30 with water included. It was a disappointment on every element. I received a booking confirmation but no tickets. Thankfully a very helpful and friendly Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Marina Luxury Dhow Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 69 reviews · 2 hours · from $108

Spend two hours aboard a wooden Arabian dhow in Dubai Marina, with air-conditioned seating below and open-air views above. You’ll pass Ain Dubai, JBR, Cayan Tower, and Marina Yacht Club while enjoying Arabic and international dishes, soft drinks, bottled water, and a welcome of coffee, dates, and rosewater. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Food was not 5 star. We had a big group of Russians on board what ended in only Russian music.The only 5 star thing was our driver. Very good, friendly and supportive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Dhow Cruise Marina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · from $57

Cruise Dubai Marina for about 90 minutes aboard a traditional dhow, with hotel pickup, welcome drinks, tea, coffee, water, and an international buffet with vegetarian and nonvegetarian choices. Expect soft background music and a Tanoura show rather than a live singer. Alcohol costs extra.

“Not as written in the details. There is no singer and the food is not good. It is considered normal and not premium. I hope they are honest in the details.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Best 5-Star Dhow Dinner Cruise Dubai Marina Jack Sparrow

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 64 reviews · from $32

Cruise Dubai Marina aboard the Jack Sparrow Floating Restaurant for up to 90 minutes. You get welcome juice, Arabic coffee and dates, a buffet dinner, unlimited water and soft drinks, music, and live cultural entertainment. The route passes Pier 7, Bluewaters, JBR, Ain Dubai, and Skydive Dubai.

“The staff was really great and super nice. The tour of the marina is great and the buildings are really impressive. The meal is good and the show is great. We get priority boarding when we have reduced mobility. Heads up, the fruit juices aren't free!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Dhow Cruise with Dinner at Dubai Marina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · from $34

Spend about two hours aboard a traditional-style dhow at Dubai Marina, with views of Cayan Tower, Marina Torch, Ain Dubai, and Palm Jumeirah. You’ll have an international and Arabian buffet, water, orange drink, soft drinks, and onboard entertainment. Pickup is available, but boarding begins 45 minutes before the 8:30 pm departure.

“The skyline and night views from the cruise were fantastic. We food was fantastic and entertainment was a huge plus!”

Check availability →Read our full review