Revealed: Five popular water sports in Dubai

Dubai has always been a promising spot for sports enthusiasts.

Water sports is no different.

With Covid-19 restrictions panning out and life gradually easing back to normalcy, water sport activities are back in full effect.

Here’s a list of top aquatic sports activities and their locations around the emirate.

1. Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is the combination of water skiing, surfing, and snowboarding; it involves riding a special board known as a wake over the surface of water.

The rider is generally towed behind a motorboat, speeding along the surface of the water, and is known to be an ideal sport for all ages.

Common to most tourist destinations, wakeboarding has become popular in the UAE, with several locations for residents and tourists to test their skills or register for classes.

Sea Riders

Inclusive of a fully equipped private boat, water, soft drinks, and ice, enthusiasts can enjoy their time wakeboarding at the rate of Dhs475 an hour.

Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Dubai
Tel: +971 52 8403587

Xtreme Wake

Started in 2013 by two friends with an earnest inclination towards the sport, Xtreme Wake has grown into a community of water sport enthusiasts, thrill seekers, and international professionals.

Boat rentals start at Dhs600 an hour, with all the trappings required for the sport.

The Camp, Ghantoot Marina and Dubai Marina
Tel: +971 56 3423012

2. Jet Skiing

Sport aficionados can invest their time in an exhilarating experience of speeding across the water, while taking in the unique surroundings Dubai has to offer.

Due to the popularity of the idea, there are a plethora of companies offering tours and various packages for visitors.

The tours start with a base rate for half an hour, catered to showcase the Burj al Arab, and extend to packages of up to two hours with more iconic buildings.

Popeye Jet ski Rental

With a fleet of brand new jet skis, it has several tours available for customers starting from 30 minutes at Dhs280, to a larger tour at Dhs850.

Fishing Harbor 2, Umm Suqueim 1,
Main Entrance Jumeirah 4 (Al Sheif),
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 55 2851012

Nemo Watersports Dubai Jet ski and Flyboard

Chosen by tripadvisor as the top spot for water sport activities in Dubai for the past three years, it offers multiple jet ski tours along the coast.

Prices start at Dhs370 with their Burj Al Arab tour, to Dhs935 for a larger tour area.

Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbor,
Umm Suqeim 2, Jumeirah Road,
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 4717002 / +971 52 9616163

Sky and Sea Adventures
Different from typical water sport companies offering tours, customers can rent individual jet skis here; prices vary though, based on the rental period and number of people per jet ski.

Single jet ski starting at 20mins from Dhs420, while double jet skis from Dhs530.

Dubai JBR Hilton,
Jumeirah Resort,
Dubai, UAE

Tel: +971 4 3999005 / +971 50 7246184

3. Flyboarding

Also known as hydroflying, flyboarding has been garnering popularity across the emirate, and is currently offered by several water sport companies.

To experience it, a rider must stand on a board connected by a long hose to a watercraft, which helps water to be forced out under pressure through a pair of boots with jet nozzles below.

Nemo Watersports Dubai Jet ski and Flyboard

While offering individual packages for flyboarding and jet skiing, it also provides combined packages of the two.

Flyboard packages commence at Dhs350, with combos taking off at Dhs600.

Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbor,
Umm Suqeim 2, Jumeirah Road,
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 4717002 / +971 52 9616163

Water Adventure Dubai

Home to a large variety of water sport activities, it has been in the market for five years and offers flyboard activities and courses.

Flyboard packages start at Dhs315.

Starting from Dhs1,500, courses are booked in sets of four, with different class lengths; extra classes can be arranged if necessary.

Jumeirah Beach Residence
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 9114559

4. Kite surfing

Touted as one of the most active water sports, kite surfing is a true relaxant and can be great for one’s overall health.

Lessons and equipment rental are available at multiple locations across Dubai, as the sport has tremendously grown.

Kite Zone Dubai

Known as a premium kite surfing and stand-up paddle boarding school based out of Ness Nass beach in Jumeirah, it offers private and group lessons, and is the first to offer tandem kite surfing to beginners.

Private lessons start from Dhs350, while group ones begin at Dhs400.

Tandem riding is available as part of a lesson or can be booked with an instructor starting at Dhs250.

Nessnass Beach
Dubai, UAE

Tel: +971 56 8154146

Kite n Surf

Regarded as one of the frontrunners of kite surfing in Dubai, it offers a variety of water sports for tourists and locals as well as a plethora of kite surfing lessons.

In addition to courses, it provides rentals of kite surfing equipments, with prices dependent on the type of equipment and the rental period.

Private lessons start from Dhs700, while group ones begin at Dhs425.

Nessnass beach
City beach
Tel: +971 55 8006363

Kitesurf School Dubai

Certified by the UAE General Authority of Youth and Sport Welfare and the Ministry of Labor, this school is known for its leading training.

Starting at Dhs250, its semi private lessons are ideal for learning with a group of friends, as the school limits three students to a single instructor for similar classes.

The school’s private lessons start at Dhs350, while group ones kick off at Dhs250.

Kite Beach
Umm Suqeim Jumeirah 3,
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 2547440

5. EFoil

The latest water sport to hit Dubai, eFoil, has taken the beaches by storm with its innovative technology.

Riders can experience flying over any body of water, up to 40 kilometres per hour, without the need of waves or towing from a watercraft.

Since the sport is still relatively new, only a few water sports hubs host the new board.

Ibiza Foils

It has positioned itself as the most premium electric watercraft service in the region and offers lessons, rentals, and sales of the board itself at multiple locations across the emirate.

It offers two boards, Lift and Awake, which vary in speed and agility.

The Awake board was created with power, speed, and precision in mind, capable of achieving speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour.

Lift eFoil and Awake lessons start at Dhs600 per session, with rentals also beginning at Dhs600.

Ritz Carlton JBR
Umm Suqeim,
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 3463558

Surf House Dubai

Located near Umm Suqeim beach, it carries a wide range of products, and is home to an assortment of water sport lessons.

It has most recently collaborated with Ibiza foils and is offering a variety of eFoil lesson packages starting from Dhs630.

It also has packages that include an extra board at an additional cost, depending on the lesson package chosen by the customer.

Tel: +971 54 3736007