Dubai Marina: Boat tour around Palm & Atlantis with guide

Summary

Glide past Palm Island & Atlantis on a relaxed Dubai Marina cruise

You’ll board a small boat in Dubai Marina for a two-hour cruise past Palm Island and Atlantis with a local guide. Enjoy cold drinks and music as you pass landmarks like Ain Dubai and Jumeirah Beach. There’s time for photos, stories from your guide, and even fishing if you want — plus those little moments of quiet on open water you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

"Is that really the Atlantis?" I asked, squinting against the glare as our boat drifted out of Dubai Marina. The water was this weird, glassy turquoise — almost fake-looking, but not in a bad way. Our guide, Ahmed, grinned and pointed ahead. "Wait till you see it from the other side," he said. There were ten of us, all friends from work (plus one toddler who kept trying to eat his life jacket), and honestly I’d never seen Dubai like this before — all those towers behind us, shrinking as we picked up speed.

We cruised past Bluewaters Island and the giant wheel — Ain Dubai — which looked even bigger from below than it does from the shore. Someone played music through the speakers (I think it was Bollywood at first, then switched to something Arabic). The air tasted salty and warm, and there was this faint smell of sunscreen mixed with engine oil. Ahmed handed out cold cans of Sprite and told us about how Jumeirah Beach used to be just sand dunes when he was a kid. I tried to picture that — hard to imagine now with all these skyscrapers.

When we got close to Palm Island, I could actually see people waving from balconies at Kempinski. We circled around so everyone could get photos of Atlantis — honestly, it’s huge up close, kind of surreal with its pink arches against the sky. My friend Li tried to say “Aquaventure” in Arabic and totally butchered it; Ahmed laughed so hard he almost dropped his phone overboard. At some point someone noticed little flying fish skipping across the surface — or maybe they were just reflections? Hard to tell after an hour in the sun.

I didn’t expect to feel so far away from city noise out there — just wind and water slapping against the hull, everyone quiet for a minute watching the skyline fade behind us. On the way back toward Marina Walk, we passed another group fishing off their boat; Ahmed offered us rods but we were too busy taking silly selfies with towels wrapped like turbans. It’s funny what sticks with you after a day like that — not just the sights but tiny things: sticky hands from soft drinks, sun on your face, someone’s laugh echoing over water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dubai Marina Boat Tour

• Visit Dubai Marina Canal and landmarks
• Speed boat cruising around Dubai Marina and Palm
• See Ain Dubai observation wheel

Top questions

How long is the Dubai Marina boat tour?

The boat tour lasts 2 hours total.

What attractions do we see during the cruise?

You’ll see Palm Island, Atlantis hotel, Ain Dubai wheel, Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah Beach, Kempinski hotel, and more.

Is there a guide on board?

Yes, a local guide accompanies your group throughout the tour.

Are drinks included on this Dubai Marina boat ride?

Yes, unlimited water and soft drinks are provided during your cruise.

Can infants join this boat tour?

Infants can join; they may sit in a pram or stroller or on an adult’s lap.

Is fishing equipment available?

Yes, fishing equipment is available for use during your trip if you want to try fishing.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

A valid passport is required on the day of travel for all participants.

Are towels provided on board?

Fresh towels are included for guests’ use during the cruise.

What’s included

Your day includes life jackets for safety, fresh towels if you want to take a dip or just dry off after sea spray, unlimited water and soft drinks to keep cool under the sun, use of onboard washrooms and music system for comfort (and impromptu dance parties), plus fishing equipment if anyone feels lucky enough to try their hand at catching something while cruising around Palm Island before heading back toward Marina Walk.