Dubai Canal Sunset Abra Tour: Traditional Wooden Boat Ride

An hour on the water as the city lights up

A 60-minute sunset tour on a traditional wooden abra boat along the Dubai Canal, with audio guide in English, beverages and snacks included. Children from age 3 are welcome. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The boat departs from DFC mall and passes the historic Al Jadaf dhow shipyard, Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary on the way to watch the Burj Khalifa silhouette against the evening sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset Abra boat tour in Dubai

• Start the tour
• Glide along Dubai Canal
• Enjoy sunset views of Burj Khalifa
• Listen to audio commentary
• Savor beverages on board
• Return to DFC mall

The experience

The tour runs 60 minutes from start to finish. You board a traditional wooden abra (the kind of boat that has carried passengers across Dubai's waterways for generations), and settle in as the boat glides along the Dubai Canal. Audio commentary plays throughout in English, so you hear about the landmarks and the city's history without needing a guide standing beside you. Bottled water, soda and snacks are on board, included in your ticket.

The route passes Al Jadaf, the historic dhow building yard where traditional boats are still constructed and maintained, then moves toward Dubai Creek Harbour with its new skyline development. You'll see Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected wetland where migrating birds gather: flamingos are especially visible in winter. The Dubai Design District comes into view as well. The whole arc of the journey is timed so you're on the water as the sun sets, with the Burj Khalifa catching the last light.

You can book this tour with or without hotel transfers included. If you choose the transfer option, pickup is arranged from your accommodation. Without it, you make your own way to DFC mall, where the boat departs and returns. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're traveling independently.

What’s included

• Bottled water and soda.
• snacks.
• audio commentary in English explaining the landmarks and Dubai's history.
• 60 minutes on a traditional wooden abra boat along the Dubai Canal and past Al Jadaf dhow shipyard, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dubai Design District.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared sunset tour lasting 60 minutes17:00No transfer included: guests must arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before departure

With Transfers17:00Shared transfers

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40 · max 9 per booking

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Amazon Travel And Tourism LLC

Is this one for you?Choose this if you prefer a guided experience with set stops and commentary rather than steering your own boat: the audio narration covers Dubai's history while you watch the sunset from a traditional abra.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the sunset abra tour in Dubai?

The tour lasts 60 minutes from departure to return. You spend the full hour on the water as the sun sets over the Dubai Canal and the Burj Khalifa.

What's included in the sunset boat tour?

Bottled water, soda and snacks are included on board, along with audio commentary in English that explains the landmarks and Dubai's history as you pass them.

What is Al Jadaf, one of the stops on this tour?

Al Jadaf is the historic dhow building yard where traditional wooden boats are still built and maintained today. It's one of the few places in the world where these classic vessels continue to be constructed by hand.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel transfers are available as an optional add-on at checkout. If you don't choose transfers, you can make your own way to DFC mall, where the boat departs. Public transportation options are available nearby.

What wildlife might I see on the Dubai Canal at sunset?

The tour passes Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected wetland where migrating birds gather. Flamingos are especially visible during the winter months when they arrive in large numbers.