Private dinner cruise · Abu Dhabi
Private Dhow Dinner Cruise · Abu Dhabi, Group of Up to 12
An unhurried evening on the water from the historic Al Bateen harbour, your own table aboard a traditional dhow gliding past the lit Corniche of Abu Dhabi.
This is the private version of the Abu Dhabi dhow dinner cruise: your own boat, table and unhurried pace, for your own party of up to 12 only, not shared seating on a group departure. Al Bateen harbour has sheltered wooden dhows for generations, tucked away from the towers a few minutes from the city centre. This private cruise sets off from that same quiet berth, aboard a two-deck dhow reserved for your party alone. As the boat eases out into the channel, the Corniche opens up ahead: Etihad Towers leaning in a row against the sky, Emirates Palace glowing gold along the shore, the financial district rising behind. Dinner is laid at your own table soon after boarding, a buffet you return to through the evening at whatever pace suits you. A driver collects you from your hotel in Dubai beforehand and waits to bring you back once the dhow returns to the harbour, so the whole evening runs without a rental car or a taxi in sight.
- A private table aboard a traditional wooden dhow
- The historic Al Bateen harbour as your departure point
- Etihad Towers and Emirates Palace lit up from the water
- An unhurried buffet dinner served through the evening
- Return transfer from your hotel in Dubai included
- 01
Pickup from your hotel in Dubai
A driver collects your party in the afternoon for the drive along the E11 to Abu Dhabi, so the evening begins without a rental car or a taxi to arrange.
- 02
Boarding at Al Bateen harbour
Step aboard the two-deck dhow at its historic berth and settle in, with a few minutes to take in the boat before it eases out into the channel.
- 03
Your table is set
Dinner is laid at your own reserved table soon after departure, a buffet of Emirati and international dishes you return to as you like.
- 04
Cruising the Corniche
The dhow glides past Etihad Towers, Emirates Palace and the lit financial district, the whole waterfront unfolding from the open upper deck.
- 05
Back to your hotel
After the dhow returns to Al Bateen, your driver is waiting to carry you back to Dubai, the Corniche still glowing behind you.
- Return transfer from your hotel in Dubai
- A private reserved table aboard the dhow
- Buffet dinner of Emirati and international dishes
- Unlimited soft drinks throughout the cruise
- Live music on board
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional gratuity for the crew
- Personal purchases on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Dubai are included
- Hosts and crew speak Russian, English and Arabic
- Private for one to twelve guests, no strangers added
- Departs at 16:00, with roughly ninety minutes each way from Dubai
- Smart-casual dress and a light layer for the deck breeze
- Cancel at least 48 hours before the start for a deposit refund; the exact deadline and refund percentage are fixed in your booking confirmation
Is the cruise really private?
Yes. Your party has its own reserved table for the evening and the booking is kept to your group, so you are not seated with other travellers along a shared bench.
What kind of food is served?
Dinner is a buffet of Emirati and international dishes, with vegetarian options, and we are glad to note any dietary needs when you book.
Is the cruise suitable for children?
It is. The gentle pace, the open deck and the lit Corniche make it an easy, memorable evening for families, and younger children are welcome aboard.
Do we need to make our own way to Al Bateen harbour?
No. Return transfer from your hotel in Dubai is included, so a driver brings you to the harbour and takes you back once the cruise ends.
How do we reserve a table on the dhow, is the Dubai-to-Abu-Dhabi transfer part of it, and what language do the hosts speak?
Reserving is straightforward, send a message via the WhatsApp button or the short form on this page and we'll reply directly to confirm your date and table, with no card payment taken online. Return transfer from your Dubai hotel is included, though note the boat itself boards at Al Bateen harbour rather than at a hotel dock, so your driver brings you to that berth before the dhow sets off. Hosts and crew speak Russian, English and Arabic, so language is rarely an issue on board.
What our travellers say
Real impressions from guests on our private UAE tours.
Guests consistently give us top marks for the private format and the care of their guide.
We had the yacht to ourselves for the afternoon, cruising past the Marina and Palm Jumeirah with music and drinks on board, worth every dirham for a birthday like that.
The speedboat ride was fast and fun without ever feeling reckless, and our captain timed the loop around Atlantis perfectly for photos.
Dinner on the dhow was calm and romantic, gliding past the lit-up skyline with none of the crowd of a big tourist boat.
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