Dubai Red Dunes: Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Sandboarding Tour

Summary

Red sands quad biking camel ride and sandboarding in Dubai desert

You’ll feel Dubai’s wild side on this desert safari: quad biking over red dunes, riding camels with local guides joking beside you, hanging on tight during dune bashing, and finally sandboarding down slopes you’ll remember later. All with easy hotel pickup and water breaks so you can just focus on letting go for once.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along in the back of a Land Cruiser when I realized my hands were gripping the seat tighter than I meant to — our guide, Ahmed, just grinned at me in the rearview mirror. The city faded fast behind us, replaced by these wild red dunes that looked almost fake under the morning sun. There was this dry sweetness in the air, like warm cinnamon or something. I kept trying to catch it but it slipped away every time we stopped for a photo.

The quad bikes were lined up waiting for us — I’d never driven one before and honestly thought I’d embarrass myself. Ahmed just shrugged and said “Go slow first, then you’ll get it.” He was right. After a few wobbly starts (and a lot of sand in my shoes), I got into it. The engine buzzed through my arms while I tried not to laugh out loud every time I hit a bump. We had about 25 minutes out there but it felt weirdly timeless — maybe that’s what people mean when they say “desert silence,” even though we were all yelling over each other half the time.

I didn’t expect to like the camel ride as much as I did. The camels were calm — one kept turning its head like it wanted to know what we thought of everything. Someone tried to name theirs “Sandy” (not very original) and our guide just rolled his eyes but played along anyway. After that came dune bashing — which is basically rollercoastering in a 4x4 while everyone pretends not to be scared. My heart was pounding so hard during those sharp drops that I could barely hear anything else.

Sandboarding was last — standing at the top of this ridiculous slope with a board strapped on felt way more intimidating than snowboarding ever did. The sand stuck everywhere but sliding down made me forget about it for a second or two. By the end, my shoes were full of red grit and my cheeks hurt from grinning too much. Still think about that first whoosh down the dune sometimes, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning desert safari adventure

• Pick up from hotel in Dubai or Sharjah
• Travel to Lahbab Red Dunes by Land Cruiser
• Enjoy 25-minute quad bike ride
• Take 20-minute camel ride across dunes
• Use bathroom facilities
• Experience 35-45 minute dune bashing
• Try sandboarding with instructor guidance
• Return to hotel or chosen location

Top questions

How long is the morning desert safari from Dubai?

The tour typically lasts around 4-5 hours including pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Dubai or Sharjah.

Is quad biking included in the Dubai red dunes tour?

Yes, a self-drive quad bike session is included with safety instructions provided by your guide.

Do they pick up from hotels in Sharjah for this safari?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are available from any location in Dubai or Sharjah at no extra charge.

What should I wear for sandboarding in Dubai?

Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting sandy and closed-toe shoes for better grip on the board.

Are children allowed on this desert safari tour?

Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Is lunch included in this morning desert safari?

No lunch is provided since it’s a morning tour, but bottled water is included throughout your adventure.

Can pregnant travelers join the dune bashing part?

Dune bashing isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers; private Land Cruiser options are available with gentler driving if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes door-to-door pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Dubai or Sharjah with no extra charges, all activity fees and taxes covered, bottled water throughout, a self-drive quad biking session with safety briefing, camel ride across the dunes, high-energy dune bashing in an air-conditioned Land Cruiser guided by licensed experts, sandboarding instruction plus bathroom access along the way before heading back to your hotel or chosen spot.