Fun in the Sun: Top 10 Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Dubai6 min read

(This article has been sponsored by Rayna Tours.)

Dubai is known for its sunny weather throughout the year. While staying outdoors during the day in the summer season is impossible due to the severely high temperatures, the winters are the ideal time to try the outdoor activities available here.

Moreover, there are plenty of adventurous, exciting, and relaxing activities that you can enjoy under the Dubai sun. In short, there is something for everyone, right from kids to adults. Without much ado, let us jump into the top 10 outdoor activities in Dubai.

Go on a Desert Safari

If there is one ultimate outdoor activity in Dubai, it has to be the desert safari. Available both in the morning and evening, the Dubai desert safari is packed with thrilling adventures that will leave you with an adrenaline rush.

The best and the most popular adventure here is dune bashing, which is like a rollercoaster on a 4×4 vehicle. You can also pave your way through the sand dunes on a quad bike. Sandboarding and camel riding are other activities to enjoy during the desert safari in Dubai. 

Spend Time at the Beach

As Dubai is a coastal city, there are plenty of beaches you can visit in the city. While some beaches are public and open to all, there are private beaches belonging to hotels and resorts and can be accessed for an entry fee.

Jumeirah Public Beach, JBR Beach, Sunset Beach, etc., are some of the best free beaches in the city. They are not only perfect for relaxing but also for indulging in water sports. Dubai also has several beach clubs that add a bit of luxury to your beach visits.

Visit the Theme and Water Parks

Dubai is home to numerous amusement parks, and each one of them comes with world-class amenities and features. One of the best outdoor theme parks is Motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood-inspired theme park with thrilling rides and attractions.

Then there is Legoland Dubai, which is a theme park for kids. Similarly, the water parks in the city are also great outdoor attractions. Be it Wild Wadi Water Park, Atlantis Aquaventure, or AquaFun Water Park, you will get to enjoy wild slides and attractions to satisfy the adventurer in you.

Try the Water Sports

Water sports lovers would have a delightful time in Dubai, as the city offers an array of water sports activities. Kite surfing is the most popular here, and an entire beach (Kite Beach) is dedicated to this activity.

Apart from this, parasailing, jet skiing, flyboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving can be found in Dubai. You can also enjoy banana boat rides, donut rides, and speed boat rides, and more here. If you are looking for a more relaxing water sport, you can also try kayaking and paddleboarding here.

Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Want to enjoy an aerial view of the Dubai desert, a hot air balloon ride is something you should try? The hot air balloon Dubai ride happens early in the morning, giving you the chance to enjoy a beautiful desert sunrise while floating several feet above the ground.

Apart from the view of the golden sand dunes, you can also check out the unique flora and fauna of the desert during your ride. To make it more special, you can also opt for a private hot air balloon ride, which also includes an Emirati breakfast once you land.

Challenge Yourself at Aventura Parks

Spread around an area of 35,000 square meters, Aventura Parks is Dubai’s largest adventure park. This is the perfect place to take part in fun, but challenging activities with your family and friends.

The place is filled with ziplines, obstacle courses, high wires, rope climbing, and more. You can also swing like Tarzan here. Aventura Parks has five levels, namely Rangers, Explorador, Thriller, Aventura, and Extreme. These levels are arranged as per their difficulty levels.

Explore Dubai Miracle Garden

Another outdoor attraction that should be on your itinerary is the Dubai Miracle Garden. The largest natural flower garden in the world is home to more than 150 million flowers. As you stroll along the garden, you will be fascinated to see colorful blooms arranged in unique ways.

The popular floral installations here include floral Disney characters, floral Emirates Airbus, floral clock, and more. This seasonal attraction is open from October to April and is one of the best things to explore while soaking in the winter sun.

Dubai Safari Park

An outdoor attraction that is popular with families is the Dubai Safari Park. Spanning 119-hectares, the Dubai Safari Park is home to more than 300 species of wild animals. The 3000 inhabitants of this safari park are divided into different sections as per their habitat.

The best part is that their living conditions closely imitate their natural habitats. The themes of this park are Al Wadi, Explorer Village, African Village, Asian Village, and Kids’ Farm. There is also Arabian Desert Safari, where you can view the animals while on a safari.

Al Fahidi Neighborhood

Al Fahidi Neighborhood is the most historically important place in Dubai. Located on the banks of the Dubai Creek, a visit to the Al Fahidi Neighborhood would take you back to the times when Dubai was a simple village that relied on fishing and pearl diving for sustenance.

The old buildings and narrow cobbled stones have been preserved beautifully and some of them have been turned into cafes, museums, boutique hotels, and art galleries. You can also go for an abra ride to enjoy the beauty of the creek and the surrounding areas.

Skydiving

If you want to enjoy the most extreme outdoor activity, skydiving is something you must try. Beginners go tandem skydiving where they are accompanied by a professional diver. The skydiving session starts when you board an airplane that takes you 3000 feet above the ground.

The dive includes one minute of free-falling, while the rest of the journey to earth is done on a parachute. The most popular diving zone in Dubai is Palm Jumeirah, which gives you the chance to enjoy an aerial view of the Palm Jumeirah.

The Dubai heat may want you to be cooped inside the air-conditioned malls and attractions. But the outdoor attractions and activities in the city are not to be ignored.

Let us know in the comments which outdoor activities you cannot wait to explore in Dubai!