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Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise Dinner
- Traditional wooden dhow, not a generic motor boat
- International buffet dinner included
- Written price confirmed before you pay
An evening on the water, the slow way
There's a particular kind of evening that only a dhow cruise gives you in Abu Dhabi: no dune bashing, no queue at an attraction, nothing to organise beyond showing up at the dock. You step onto a traditionally built wooden dhow, the sail lowers away, and for two hours the city does the work, the illuminated Corniche sliding past on one side, the towers of the Marina catching the last of the light on the other, while dinner is served and a band plays something easy in the background.
It's the evening most guests underestimate when they're planning a trip full of desert safaris and city tours, and the one many end up mentioning first when they get home. Couples book it for the obvious reason, the low light and slow pace do a lot of the romantic work without any effort. Families book it because after a day of walking, sitting down to a proper dinner with a view is exactly the right amount of activity. And because Abu Dhabi's cruise runs past a calmer, more residential skyline than Dubai's Marina, it reads less like a tourist spectacle and more like an actual evening out.
We keep the format honest rather than oversold: this is a relaxed, scenic dinner cruise, not a party boat or an adventure activity. If you want a livelier night with entertainment and shows, our evening desert safari is the better fit. If a calm two hours on the water with good food and a skyline view is what you're picturing, this is exactly that.
How the evening unfolds
Timings are indicative and can shift slightly with tides and weather conditions.
Pickup or meet at the dock
Hotel pickup if you've booked the transfer option, or meet us directly at Marina Mall.
Boarding and welcome drink
Step aboard the traditional wooden dhow and settle in with a welcome drink before departure.
Sail along the Corniche
A slow, scenic sail past the illuminated Corniche and Marina skyline as the sun finishes setting.
International buffet dinner
A live buffet is served on board, a mix of Arabic and international dishes, while the cruise continues.
Live music on deck
Arabic and international music plays as you finish dinner and take in the view from the open deck.
Return and drop-off
Back at Marina Mall after roughly two hours on the water, with hotel drop-off included on the transfer option.
Prices and options
Every price below is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you pay anything.
per adult · meet us at Marina Mall · buffet dinner included
per adult · return pickup and drop-off included
per child · under 5s sail free
for larger groups and special occasions, subject to availability
What's included
- Two hour cruise on a traditional wooden dhow
- Welcome drink on boarding
- International buffet dinner
- Arabic coffee, dates and soft drinks
- Live music on deck
- Return hotel pickup and drop-off (transfer option only)
Not included
- Alcohol
- Hotel transfer (unless the transfer option is booked)
- Private charter of the full dhow (quoted separately)
- Photography or videography service
Questions people ask us
How much does a dhow cruise cost in Abu Dhabi?
From AED 220 per adult on the shared cruise if you make your own way to Marina Mall, or AED 270 per adult with return hotel transfer included. Children aged 5 to 11 are AED 130, and children under 5 sail free.
How long is the Abu Dhabi dhow cruise?
The cruise itself runs for two hours on the water, departing in the evening. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, plan for roughly three hours door to door.
Is the Abu Dhabi dhow cruise worth it?
For most visitors, yes, particularly as a first evening in the city, a couple's night out, or for travellers who want the skyline view without an active tour. It's a relaxed, scenic experience rather than an action packed one, so it suits some evenings better than others, honestly not the right choice if you're after entertainment and shows, which our evening desert safari covers instead.
What is the difference between a dhow cruise and a yacht cruise?
A dhow is a traditional wooden Arabian sailing vessel, fitted out with modern comforts, and the experience leans into that heritage character, wood decking, Arabic music, a shared buffet dinner. A yacht cruise uses a modern motor vessel, usually smaller and more private, and is priced noticeably higher as a result. Both sail similar Abu Dhabi waters.
Can we book a private dhow cruise instead of sharing?
Yes, subject to availability and typically for larger groups or special occasions. A private charter is quoted separately from the shared cruise rate, tell us your group size and date and we'll confirm what's possible.
Where does the dhow cruise depart from?
Boarding takes place at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. If you've booked the hotel transfer option, we collect you and bring you to the dock directly, so you don't need to arrange your own way there.
What is the dress code, and is it suitable for children?
Smart casual is fine, there's no formal dress code, though many guests dress up a little for the occasion. It's well suited to families, and the covered lower deck gives younger children somewhere comfortable to sit if the open deck feels too breezy.
Is this a good option for a proposal or anniversary?
Yes, it's one of the most requested reasons guests book this specific evening. Mention the occasion when you enquire and we'll flag it so the crew can help make a small moment of it, within what a shared cruise can accommodate.
