Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise from Yas Marina: Dinner, Lunch and Sightseeing

Arabiers offers three Abu Dhabi dhow cruises you can book online, all departing from Yas Marina: a sightseeing cruise at AED 129, a lunch cruise at AED 159 and a dinner cruise at AED 229 per adult.

Each option suits a different occasion. The dinner cruise is the evening highlight with a full buffet, the lunch cruise is a relaxed midday sail, and the sightseeing cruise is the shortest and most affordable way to see Yas Island from the water.

Abu Dhabi Dhow Dinner Cruise, Yas Island

AED 229

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Abu Dhabi Dhow Lunch Cruise, Yas Island

AED 159

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Abu Dhabi Dhow Sightseeing Cruise, Yas Island

AED 129

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A dhow cruise is popular in Abu Dhabi because it pairs a traditional wooden boat with modern dining and skyline views, at a much lower price than a private yacht.

These boats were once used for fishing and pearling, and have been restored as comfortable sightseeing cruisers and floating restaurants. Seating on both decks is arranged so you can relax and take in the waterfront. With several departure times across the day and capacity for around a hundred guests, there is an option to suit most visitors and residents.

Arabiers is a UAE-licensed tour operator (licence 1176592) with a destination team in Abu Dhabi, so the prices, timings and departure details on this page are checked against live operations for 2026.

We publish only what we can confirm. That means real departure points, current menus and honest notes on when a buffet may switch to a set menu, rather than copied marketing. Booking is simple over WhatsApp or online, with support available throughout the day so first-time visitors can book with confidence.

Across the year we arrange tailored Abu Dhabi dhow experiences, from a daytime sightseeing sail to dinner cruises, birthday and anniversary sailings, corporate gatherings and a New Year's Eve party cruise.

The cruise departs Yas Marina and sails the Yas Island creek, passing Yas Bay, the W Abu Dhabi, Al Muneera and Al Zeina before returning to the same dock.

Along the way you pass the modern waterfront communities of Al Zeina and Al Muneera, with its Kashkan beach pavilion, and catch a view across Yas Bay toward Ferrari World. Each landmark gives a sense of how quickly this part of Abu Dhabi has been built up. The route stays within the sheltered Yas Island waters, which keeps the sailing smooth.

The dinner and lunch cruises serve a five-course international buffet with Emirati dishes, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with soft drinks, juice and water included.

The buffet covers salads such as classic fattoush and hummus with olives, soups, side dishes, hot mains and desserts. Catering is prepared by hotel kitchens, with hygiene treated as a priority. In quieter months, usually across summer when guest numbers are lower, the buffet may be replaced by a set menu pack containing a non-vegetarian dish, a vegetarian dish, salad, dessert, fruit and soft drinks.

For alcohol availability and halal meat confirmation, check with the Arabiers team before booking, as policies may vary by cruise date and catering setup.

Prices start at AED 129 per adult for the sightseeing cruise, AED 159 for lunch and AED 229 for dinner. Children pay a reduced rate and infants under two travel free.

Prices are based on current operating rates. The lunch cruise price has been standardised to AED 159.

The dinner cruise runs 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the lunch cruise 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and sightseeing cruises run in hourly slots through the day. Arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Reporting time is 30 minutes before departure.

The best time is October to April, when Abu Dhabi evenings are mild and comfortable on the open deck.

Abu Dhabi is busiest in the first quarter of the year, and the cooler months make a longer sail more enjoyable. The cruise still runs through summer, though the menu may switch to a set menu and the open upper deck is hot, so many guests use the air-conditioned lower deck. If you are booking between early May and the end of September, confirm availability before you reserve.

Choose Abu Dhabi for a quieter cruise with Yas Island skyline views, and Dubai for more frequent departures and romantic two-person options along Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina.

If you are touring both cities, many guests pair a daytime Abu Dhabi sightseeing cruise with a Dubai dinner cruise. See all options on our Dubai dhow cruises page.

Smart casual or comfortable evening wear is ideal. There is no strict dress code, so wear what suits the occasion.

For a dinner cruise many guests dress up a little, from a smart shirt to an abaya or evening dress. As the lower deck is air-conditioned, you stay comfortable even on a warm night, while a light layer is useful on the open upper deck in winter.

The cruise is safe and runs under Abu Dhabi coast guard supervision, with life jackets for every guest, an experienced captain and trained crew.

The boat is maintained regularly and passes an annual inspection to qualify for operation. It carries life jackets for all passengers, emergency exits and a rescue craft, and the coast guard and weather forecast decide whether sailing goes ahead on the day.

Dinner and lunch cruises can be cancelled for a refund up to 48 hours before the tour. Sightseeing cruises can be cancelled up to 10 hours before the slot.

In peak season, from October to March, seats are limited and refund terms may vary by cruise type. The cancellation terms stated in your booking confirmation, sent by email and WhatsApp, are the ones that apply to your reservation.