Abu Dhabi tours
Dhow Cruise Abu Dhabi: Dinner on the Water
A dhow cruise in Abu Dhabi is a two-hour evening dinner cruise on a traditional wooden boat along the city waterfront, with skyline views, a buffet dinner, soft drinks and music. Most boats leave from the jetty opposite Marina Mall.
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01
What the dhow cruise includes
A dhow is the wooden sailing boat that traders and pearl divers used in the Gulf for centuries. Today's cruise dhows keep the curved wooden hull and add a dining deck, lights and air conditioning. The evening cruise is a relaxed way to see Abu Dhabi lit up from the water, with dinner on board. It suits couples, families with children and visiting relatives who would rather sit and watch the city go by than walk all day.
Checklist
- About two hours sailing along the Abu Dhabi waterfront
- Welcome on boarding with a cold towel, Arabic coffee and fresh dates
- A non-alcoholic welcome drink
- A buffet for dinner that caters for Jain, vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests
- Soft drinks, juices and water
- Music and onboard entertainment
- A seat in the boat's cruise seating area
These are the inclusions on the cruise we have listed before.
02
Departure points: Corniche, Marina and Yas Island
Most Abu Dhabi dinner dhows leave from the jetty opposite Marina Mall, near the Breakwater at the western end of the Corniche. The boarding point we have used is in front of Havana Café.
Marina Mall jetty (Breakwater)
- Views
- Corniche skyline, Etihad Towers, Emirates Palace
- Parking and access
- Ask us
- Suits
- First-time visitors, families
Corniche jetties
- Views
- City towers and the seafront
- Parking and access
- Ask us
- Suits
- Guests staying on the Corniche
Yas Island
- Views
- Yas Marina, the circuit and the Yas skyline
- Parking and access
- Ask us
- Suits
- Guests staying on Yas, upgraded boats
Where Abu Dhabi dhow cruises leave from. Your confirmation gives the exact jetty and a map pin.
| Departure | Views | Parking and access | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Mall jetty (Breakwater) | Corniche skyline, Etihad Towers, Emirates Palace | Ask us | First-time visitors, families |
| Corniche jetties | City towers and the seafront | Ask us | Guests staying on the Corniche |
| Yas Island | Yas Marina, the circuit and the Yas skyline | Ask us | Guests staying on Yas, upgraded boats |
If you have your own car, the Marina Mall jetty is easy to reach from anywhere on the island.
03
Timings and how long the cruise lasts
- 01
7:00 pm: arrive
Reach the meeting point at the jetty opposite Marina Mall.
- 02
7:30 pm: board
Red-carpet welcome, cold towel, Arabic coffee and dates. Choose your seat on shared boats.
- 03
8:00 pm: sail
The dhow leaves the jetty and cruises along the waterfront.
- 04
Dinner and entertainment
The buffet opens once the boat is under way, with music on board.
Arrive early on weekends and public holidays, as boarding gets busy and the first guests on board choose the window tables.
04
Dinner, drinks and dietary needs
Dinner is a buffet with Arabic, Indian and international dishes, usually with a BBQ section, salads, rice, curries and desserts. Vegetarian and Jain food is part of the standard menu, which matters for many of our guests.
- Vegetarian and Jain: included on the buffet. Tell us when you book so the operator knows numbers.
- Allergies: tell us about nuts, gluten, dairy or seafood allergies when booking, and we check with the boat before you go.
05
Dhow cruise Abu Dhabi price: standard and upgraded boats
The price depends on the boat, the date, whether you want a window or upper-deck table, and whether you add a transfer. Weekdays on a standard shared boat cost the least. Weekends and holiday dates cost more and sell out first.
Standard boat
- Departure
- Marina Mall jetty
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Includes
- Buffet, soft drinks, welcome, music
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
Upgraded boat or window table
- Departure
- Marina Mall jetty or Corniche
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Includes
- Ask us
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
Yas Island cruise
- Departure
- Yas Marina
- Duration
- Ask us
- Includes
- Ask us
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
Pickup and drop-off
- Departure
- Your address in Abu Dhabi
- Duration
- Includes
- Shared or private car
- Adult from
- On request
- Child from
- On request
Dhow cruise Abu Dhabi options and prices per person. Dated, and confirmed in writing before you pay.
| Option | Departure | Duration | Includes | Adult from | Child from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard boat | Marina Mall jetty | About 2 hours | Buffet, soft drinks, welcome, music | On request | On request |
| Upgraded boat or window table | Marina Mall jetty or Corniche | About 2 hours | Ask us | On request | On request |
| Yas Island cruise | Yas Marina | Ask us | Ask us | On request | On request |
| Pickup and drop-off | Your address in Abu Dhabi | Shared or private car | On request | On request |
If you have your own car, skipping the transfer saves the most. Our quote shows standard and upgraded options side by side with what each includes, so you can choose before you pay.
06
Booking for families, birthdays and groups
The dhow is one of the easiest evenings out with children: they can see the lights, move around the deck, and dinner is right there. For older relatives, ask for a lower-deck table near the entrance, which is air conditioned and needs fewer steps.
For birthdays and anniversaries we can ask the operator about a cake, a reserved table area or simple decorations. For groups of 20 or more, a private boat can work out close to the shared price per head, and lets you set the music and the menu.
Hosting family from abroad? We can arrange the UAE visit visa for their trip, and our family holiday packages cover longer breaks when you travel together. Looking for a longer trip at sea instead? See our cruise holidays from Abu Dhabi.
07
Pairing the cruise with a city tour or safari
The dhow is an evening trip, so it pairs well with a day of sightseeing. Many visitors take an Abu Dhabi city tour in the morning, rest in the afternoon and board the dhow at 7:30 pm. A desert safari Abu Dhabi is also an evening trip with dinner, so book it on a different day.
- 01
Abu Dhabi city tour
Grand Mosque, Corniche and Qasr Al Watan in a half or full day, before an evening on the water.
Explore abu dhabi city tour - 02
Desert safari
Dune drive, camel ride and BBQ dinner at a camp, on another evening of your stay.
Explore desert safari
08
How to book
- 01
Send your details
WhatsApp us your date, the number of adults and children, standard or upgraded boat, and whether you need pickup.
- 02
Get a written quote
We reply with the boat, departure point, what is included and the price, with the date it is valid until.
- 03
Get your confirmation
We send the jetty location with a map pin, the boarding time and a contact number for the evening.
See all our Abu Dhabi tours, contact our consultants, call 02 679 8008, or visit us at Office 329A, 3rd Floor, Mushrif Mall, Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 2pm to 9pm. In Dubai? See our dhow cruise Dubai page for the Marina and Creek cruises.
How much is a dhow cruise in Abu Dhabi?
Standard dinner cruises on shared boats cost the least, and upgraded boats, window tables or Yas Island departures cost more. Transfers are extra if you need them. Children usually pay less.
How long is the Abu Dhabi dhow cruise?
Most dinner cruises last about two hours, with boarding 20 to 30 minutes before departure. Evening sailings usually start between 7 and 9 pm. .
Where does the dhow cruise leave from?
Most Abu Dhabi dhow cruises leave from jetties near the Corniche and the Marina Mall breakwater, with views of the city skyline. Some upgraded cruises leave from Yas Island. .
Is dinner included on the dhow cruise?
Yes, the dinner cruises we book include a buffet with Arabic, Indian and international dishes, plus soft drinks, water and tea or coffee. Vegetarian food is available. .
Is there a cheap dhow cruise in Abu Dhabi?
The lowest price is a standard shared boat on a weekday, without transfers. Weekends and holiday dates cost more and sell out first. If you have your own car, skipping the transfer saves the most.
Can I book a dhow cruise for a birthday or group?
Yes. For birthdays we can ask the operator about a cake, a reserved table area or decorations. For groups of 20 or more, a private boat can work out close to the shared price per head. .
It's your smart choice
Let's plan your trip together
Send your dates and travellers on WhatsApp, or walk in at Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi or BurJuman, Dubai. We reply with options and today's prices.
Enquiry
Send us your enquiry
Tell us where, when and who is travelling. A consultant replies by phone, WhatsApp or email.
- Abu DhabiOffice 329A, 3rd Floor, Mushrif Mall
- DubaiShop 1041, BurJuman
- Call us02 679 8008