Dubai Adventure and Nature Activities

Dubai is a city where modernity, luxury and adventure combine perfectly. Visiting Dubai is the perfect opportunity to take a risk and get in touch with nature, as there are countless options. Things to see and do in Dubai include skydiving, flying over the desert or the city in a hot air balloon, zip-lining, speedboating, camel or quad biking and flyboarding in the waters of the Persian Gulf. And don't miss some of the water parks such as Aqua Fun or Aquaventure Waterpark. The options are endless.

If you really love adventure, this experience is a must-do: you'll fly over The Palm area in Dubai on a tandem skydiving experience. For many, this is one of the best activities in Dubai because of its high adrenaline rush.

Accompanied by an expert instructor, you'll make the jump from a helicopter to freefall. Meanwhile, you will observe the silhouette that forms the island complex of The Palm, one of the most famous images of Dubai.

The free fall lasts for a period of 1 minute and, during this time, you will not only see the skyscrapers, but also the splendour of the coast and iconic buildings such as the Burj Al Arab, which is among the tallest buildings on the planet, or the Ain Dubai, the largest Ferris wheel in the world. The best thing is that the whole experience will be recorded in photos and video so you can relive the moment of take-off from the ground and landing.

Useful information

• Price: the experience costs approximately €639 per person (photos and video included).
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for this experience is 3 hours.

Thrill seekers will find Dubai a paradise of adventures, and one of them is the XLine Zipline at Dubai Marina. For this activity, you'll be equipped with the necessary safety equipment and instructed by professionals.

First, you'll complete an initial training session and then you'll be ready for the big slide. You will jump from a height of approximately 170 metres above the marina area and on the way you will reach a speed of approximately 80 km/h, starting from the Amwaj Towers.

During the glide you will also be able to appreciate the beauty of the city from above, especially in and around the marina area. You will get a glimpse of famous buildings such as the Cayan Tower and the Princess Tower. At the end, you will receive photos and a video of your experience, for you to keep and share this extreme experience.

Useful information

• Price: you will have to pay around 160€ per person (photos and video included).
• Duration: the experience can last about an hour.

In case you're more inclined towards aquatic experiences, one option I recommend is to go speeding by joining a speedboat tour in Dubai. On this adventure you'll glide across the water with a small group and a guide to explore the surrounding urban waterfront.

You'll set off from the marina in the direction of some of the city's iconic landmarks, such as:

• The Burj Khalifa, which holds the title of tallest building in the world. You will see the imposing structure from the water.
• The Burj Al Arab, the world-renowned luxury hotel.
• The Palm Jumeirah, an island made up of several hotels and luxury residences that form a palm tree silhouette.

During the tour you can take panoramic photographs of the various attractions. It's also less than an hour, so you'll have plenty of time for other activities, such as visiting Dubai's most important neighbourhoods or joining one of the tours and excursions around Dubai.

Useful information

• Price: the tour costs approximately €25 per person.
• Duration: The activity is estimated to last 45 minutes on average.

Another adventure tour in Dubai is to fly over the vast expanse of desert dunes in a hot air balloon at sunrise. This experience is made even more complete if it includes a typical Arabian breakfast and the presentation of a falcon show, which are traditional birds in the region.

For this activity, the organisers will pick you up at your hotel in the early hours of the morning and you will depart for the take-off point. In the company of a group of no more than 10 people, you will float through the sky while watching the impressive desert dunes. You will also witness the arrival of the sun and appreciate the magic of colours that characterises this spectacle of nature.

After the flight, you will receive a certificate of participation and see the falcon show, led by the falconers, perform some acrobatics in the air. You will also enjoy a traditional breakfast. In fact, if you're interested in the culinary theme, consider joining one of the food tours of Dubai to sample some of the delicious flavours of the city.

Useful information

• Price: from €329 per person.
• Duration: including return transfers, the experience lasts around 5 hours.

Dubai offers its visitors a wide variety of theme parks and water parks, so I can't leave out of these recommendations a visit to Aqua Fun, where you can spend a day full of fun and adventure in contact with the waters of the Persian Gulf.

In this experience, you can have fun in the more than 25 meters that correspond to the Aqua Fun, performing dynamics and fun games. It is a structure with approximately 110 obstacles that make it the largest inflatable water park in the world.

You will also be able to enjoy the beach area and rest when you wish. Life jackets and lifeguards will ensure your safety and that of your companions at all times. You will have an unforgettable day and still have time to explore Dubai by night.

Useful information

• Price: from €92 per person.
• Duration: Depends on how long you want to stay in the facilities according to the seasonal schedule.

If you are looking for a dry land adventure and want to get in touch with the arid wilderness near Dubai, then join this experience to explore the desert on a dune safari with camel ride, quad bike tour, sandboarding, show and barbecue dinner. This is one of the most complete desert adventures you will experience, taking advantage of almost every possible plan in the desert.

In a span of approximately 6 hours, you will experience a comprehensive desert adventure starting with a 4WD ride through the dunes. You'll also get a ride on a quad bike that you can drive yourself and, to be even more traditional, you'll be able to travel the vast expanses of land on a camel. We recommend that you follow all the tips for visiting the Dubai desert.

At the end of the day's desert exploration, you'll enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner, where you'll be served a variety of traditional dishes, local produce and drinks. You will also be treated to a live show, consisting of belly dancing and Arabic music.

Useful information

• Price: from 116€ per person.
• Duration: you should allow at least 6 hours, including pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.

Flyboarding is an aquatic activity that is gaining popularity every day, and Dubai gives you the chance to try it. The idea is for you to master the waves with a 30-minute flyboarding adventure. Depending on your skills, you will be able to perform some manoeuvres and acrobatics, with the advice of a professional instructor.

Before you start floating on the water, the specialist will explain the best practices of use and safety and you will receive the necessary equipment, including the device. You will then enter the water and begin to rise.

Hopefully, you will be able to execute some moves and manoeuvres, as well as appreciate the cityscape of Dubai mixed with the blue backdrop of the Persian Gulf waters. You can also opt to flyboard for 30 or 40 minutes, whichever you choose. In case you want to incorporate other water activities into your itinerary, consider the Dubai Marina cruises as well.

Useful information

• Price: from €72 per person.
• Duration: Generally, you can choose between 30 and 40 minutes of practice.

If you're looking to spend 4 days in Dubai or more, consider visiting Motiongate Dubai. You will be immersed in the fantasy of the world of cinema for a full day where adventure is the main ingredient.

Motiongate Dubai is the largest theme park in the Middle East. It is inspired by a wide range of Hollywood films, making it ideal for fun experiences with family and friends.

With your ticket, you get unlimited access to the four zones of the park:

• DreamWorks, where you can interact with characters from the Shrek and Madagascar universe.
• Columbia Pictures, to travel in the world of films such as Ghostbusters and Hotel Transylvania in its various attractions.
• Lionsgate, with original games inspired by productions such as The Hunger Games.
• Smurfs Village, the village that recreates the wonderful universe of The Smurfs.

All in all, you will enjoy some 18 characters from various films, several roller coasters, live shows, simulators and other family attractions.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 75€ per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours.

If you want to elevate your time in Dubai, one of the best ways to do so is to take to the skies above the city aboard a hot air balloon. This is the experience that the Dubai Balloon offers for lovers of heights, futuristic architecture and panoramic photography.

From 300 metres above the ground, you'll be able to appreciate the grandeur of The Palm Jumeirah in a 10-minute adventure. You can also see the world's most iconic skyscrapers and modern landscapes. An interesting aspect is that you can do the tour during the day or at sunset.

Before you start the activity, you will receive guidance from the instructor to keep you confident and safe at all times. Once the ascent begins, you will appreciate Dubai's iconic landmarks from a different perspective.

Useful information

• Price: around €44 per person.
• Duration: The flight is estimated at 10 minutes, but you should consider transfers to the take-off point.

As Aquaventure Waterpark is one of the best water parks in Dubai, it couldn't be left out of this selection. The Aquaventure Waterpark offers thrilling moments as you slide down slides that will test your level of bravery.

You will go down the Aquaconda, which is 25 metres high, as well as the Leap of Faith, whose horizontal incline will take your breath away. You will also see a special slide that emulates a shark attack, with a transparent structure that allows you to see several sharks in a tank. I must also mention the artificial wave pool, to surf according to your age and level.

You will also enter the park's aquarium, The Lost Chambers, which contains 65,000 marine species such as jellyfish, rays, tropical fish and, of course, sharks. If all this is not enough for you, you should know that this aquatic complex has its own beach, where you can rest and relax.

Useful information

• Price: from 86€ per person.
• Duration: estimated time spent in the park is between 8 and 12 hours.