Dubai Marina & Burj Al Arab boat tour: 99 minutes

See Dubai's most recognizable landmarks from the water in a morning

A 99-minute guided boat tour of Dubai that departs from Dubai Marina and circles past Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, and Burj Al Arab, with a live English-speaking guide, bottled water, and life jackets included. Children from age 5 are welcome. You can book a shared tour or a private charter depending on your group size.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dubai Marina and Coastal Sights Tour

• View Dubai Marina and JBR
• See Ain Dubai from open water
• Cruise around Palm Jumeirah
• Photo stop at Atlantis and Burj Al Arab
• Return along Palm Jumeirah and Marina

The experience

The boat leaves Dubai Marina and heads into open water where Ain Dubai comes into view, then curves around Palm Jumeirah: the artificial palm-shaped islands that define Dubai's coastline. You'll cruise close enough to Atlantis and Burj Al Arab for photos that actually show the scale of them, not just a distant smudge. The guide points out what you're looking at as you pass, so you're not squinting at a map trying to figure out which tower is which. On the return, the route runs back along the coast past Skydive Dubai and the Marina itself, so you see the same stretch from a different angle and catch details the outbound leg missed.

The tour runs 99 minutes total, which is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day. You get bottled water and a life jacket. The guide is live and speaks English. The boat is built for this. You're on the water, not watching it from a bus window, and the stops for photos are built into the route, not rushed. Two options are available at checkout: a shared tour or a private charter if you're traveling as a group and want the boat to yourself.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• life jacket for each passenger.
• photo opportunities at Atlantis and Burj Al Arab.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18 · max 9 per booking

Live 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Yellow Boats

Is this one for you?Book the shared Original Tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want the standard experience at a lower price. Choose the Premium Private Charter if your group wants the boat to yourselves and prefers a more intimate pace.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

234 verified traveler reviews

5 ★223

4 ★7

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 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.

What's the difference between the Original Tour and the Premium Private Charter?

The Original Tour is shared with other travelers. The Premium Private Charter books the entire boat for your group. Both follow the same 99-minute route past Dubai Marina, Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis and Burj Al Arab with the same guide and inclusions. The difference is whether you're with other people or just your party.

What happens if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Life jackets are provided and included with your ticket. The tour stays on the boat the entire time. There's no swimming or water entry involved, so swimming ability isn't a factor.

How much time do we actually spend looking at each landmark?

The tour is designed as a continuous cruise with photo opportunities built into the route. You'll pass Ain Dubai, circle Palm Jumeirah, and cruise past Atlantis and Burj Al Arab with time to photograph, but the boat doesn't dock at any of these spots. It's a moving tour, not a stop-and-explore one.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour departs from and returns to Dubai Marina. You'll need to arrange your own transportation to the marina. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car.