Abu Dhabi Yacht Charters, Beaches, Water Sports, and More

Tucked in between the golden dunes and pristine blue waters, Abu Dhabi is a hidden gem that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.  The capital of the United Arab Emirates is a hub for yacht charters, and water sports and is home to stunning beaches. The port city is surrounded by hundreds of big and small islands providing incredible getaway opportunities for tourists and locals alike. Note that it’s preferred to visit the Emirate during the colder months when temperatures dip down below 25 degrees centigrade. This is the time when the city comes alive, with beaches and hotspots brimming with tourists from all around the globe. If you have been planning a trip to take a break from the monotonous routine, now can be the right time. The cold weather in the Middle East is fast approaching and would be the best time to seize the opportunity for a dream holiday.

 

Yacht Charters in Abu Dhabi

Yacht Charters are pretty popular in the UAE. It’s a terrific activity to explore the stunning blue waters of the Arabian Sea and get up close to Mother Nature.

As for Abu Dhabi, appealing shorelines and breathtaking beaches make it a yachter’s dream. Luxurious amenities and world-class marinas further make the city a best catch for yacht chartering and water sports. Accessing yacht charters in Abu Dhabi is as simple as it can be with a diverse range of companies offering top-notch services. You can choose a package of your choice or customize a deal to best suit your personal preferences and budget.

 

Sailing Routes

Depending on your personal demands and preferences, Abu Dhabi Yacht Charter can take you to islands in and around Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and even Doha, Qatar. Abu Dhabi is known widely for water sports including scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. Yacht itineraries usually begin by docking up the yachts/boats on any of the many marinas located around the Emirate. Passengers can sail up north towards Dubai or visit nearby or far-off islands as per their choice. A lot of yacht charter services offer attractive cruise packages from Abu Dhabi to Doha, Bahrain, and the Persian Gulf. However, the prime destinations to visit when on an Abu Dhabi yacht charter are Doha (Qatar) and Dubai.

It’s advised to choose a vessel depending on the sailing route, the total number of passengers on board, and the duration of the sailing trip. If you aren’t after long sailing journeys, you can always choose to sail around the mesmerizing islands of Abu Dhabi.

What to Expect on an Abu Dhabi Yacht Charter?

While there are a lot of ways to discover and explore Abu Dhabi, getting a yacht charter can be the ultimate experience.

Variety of Vessels

Choose from a variety of vessels including motor boats, sailing yachts, and catamarans. For added convenience, get a crew to take care of all the details while you sit back and soak in stunning views along the journey.

Plenty of Excursion Options

When you hire a yacht, expect to have a customized experience depending on your budget and personal interests. There is a plethora of options available for a day trip, a private sunset cruise with family, or a longer excursion spanned over days or a week.

Where to Board?

Yachts are boarded typically at a marina. Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi Marina, Emirates Palace Marina, Al Bandar Marina, Al Qana Marina, Saadiyat Marina, and Hudayriat Marina are popular spots for chartering yachts in Abu Dhabi. After boarding the yacht, you may set sail to explore the capital’s vast waters. Depending on the duration of your rental, you may come across various destinations along the route including private islands and exclusive beaches.

 

Amenities and Extra Services

Many Yacht charters also include premium amenities including live entertainment and buffets. Some companies also offer options for water sports such as fishing and jet skiing.

Popular Yacht Clubs in Abu Dhabi

Here are some of the most renowned yacht clubs in Abu Dhabi that you might consider paying a visit to when holidaying in the capital.

• The Captain’s Club at Yas Marina, Al Qana Marina, and Emirates Palace Marina.
• The Club Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Island
• Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, Marina Abu Dhabi

Several membership packages can be availed for the weekend and weekdays. The clubs host a wide range of water sports and local/international events during the peal sailing season.

 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to make the most of your trip to Abu Dhabi is from October through April. The weather during these months stays pleasant overall and evenings get a bit chilly around January. The moderate winter season is ideal for aquatic sports, beaching, and yachting.

During the summers, temperatures go beyond 45 degrees centigrade and hence, is not a suitable time to pay a visit. Bear in mind that summertime is the least busy and you may snag an affordable deal but the weather wouldn’t be nice enough. However, a lot of yachts are centrally air-conditioned with enclosed decks. So if you do plan a trip during the summer, you can still be comfortable when sailing. In short, it all comes down to what you prefer personally and the amount of money you can shell out. Abu Dhabi yacht charters can be best experienced during seasonal events and festivals. The Grand Prix and DSF are popular events, held during the winter season. You may consider planning a yacht excursion around that time to make the most of your holiday trip.

 

Abu Dhabi Tourist Visa

Visitors and tourists coming to Abu Dhabi must acquire a visa, which allows them to enter and stay in the capital for a limited period. Requirements for obtaining a visa may differ depending on the nationality, duration of the trip, and purpose of stay. Before applying for an entry permit, kindly check if you are eligible for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry. You may log on to the official website of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security to apply visa online.

 

Best Beaches in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is blessed to have beaches that suit a wide range of tourists. Whether you prefer a laid-back vibe with a stretch of powdery soft beige sand around the city or an escape to a family-friendly far-off island, there is a lot to pick out from. The Emirate has some of the most luxurious beaches on premium private islands, offering nothing but tranquillity. Besides this, a wide range of top-class hotels has their exclusive beachfront with upscale amenities and food offerings. Public beaches are too as gorgeous but are often crowded which you might not like, especially when on a holiday. To get an escape from the bustling urban life, it’s recommended to book a stay on a private beach and cool off on the shimmery sands overlooking the crystal blue waters of the Arabian Sea.

 

• Saadiyat Beach Club Saadiyat Beach Club can be a dream destination for visitors seeking a blend of luxury and nature. You can spend a whole day or visit for an evening meal to witness a mesmerizing sunset across the calm turquoise waters. The Blue Flag-certified beach may have you witness cute dolphins swimming around in the bay and beautiful Hawksbill sea turtles walking at the seashore. Not only this, there is a big outdoor pool surrounded by stunning cabanas that you may mistake for floating above the waters. Things don’t end here even. To satisfy the hunger pangs, there is a range of upscale food joints and restaurants serving piping hot delicacies along with a tantalizing brunch held every Friday.
  Water Sports:
  There is a whole lot of water sports lined up at Saadiyat Beach for newbies and seasoned aquatic sports enthusiasts. Indulge in kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, wakeboarding, or snorkeling to have the time of your life in the temperate waters of the capital
  Entry Fees:
  The cost to access this all-inclusive beach is AED 250 for adults and AED 100 for children aged 7 to 12 on weekdays. On weekends, you would have to spend around AED 375 for adults and AED 150 for children aged between 7 to 12.
  Getting There:
  It takes around 2o to 30 minutes to reach Saadiyat Beach from Abu Dhabi downtown. Take a right from the northeast end of Corniche Street and get into Shinaf Street. Then take a left onto the E12 road and cross the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge. Take the exit towards Al Dhiba Street and head to the left on Al Jouri Street.Finally, take a right at the roundabout to reach Al Tilal Street and you will spot the signs to arrive at the beach. If you are going by bus, take the 170 route from Abu Dhabi’s main bus station and it will take you to Saadiyat Island in about 40 minutes.
• Yas Beach
  Yas Beach, located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi is an ideal spot to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the stupendous sun on lush sand beside a shimmering sea. The beach has gorgeous cabanas and comfortable loungers along with tons of food options served at seaside restaurants and stalls.
  Yas Island is a family-friendly destination and is home to the popular F1 race track, stunning theme parks, premium hotels and resorts, a gigantic mall, and a huge golf course. Yas Beach surrounded by natural mangroves is located on the southern shore of the island offering a plethora of activities for visitors.
  Entry Fees:
  Guests who book their stay at Yas Plaza Hotels can avail of complimentary beach access by presenting their hotel card or booking form upon entrance.
  If you aren’t staying at the hotel, you can access entry by paying AED 80 for adults and AED 40 for children aged 8 and above on weekdays. At weekends, you would have to shell out AED 150 for adults and AED 75 for children though.
  Water Sports:
  Yas Beach can be an ideal getaway for aquatic sports enthusiasts and sun seekers. Donut rides, jet cars, kayaking, and jet skiing are some of the popular activities that guests indulge in when visiting the beach. Prices for water sports start from AED 100 and go up to as high as AED 600 per person.
  Getting There:
  Yas Beach is approximately 30 minutes away from Abu Dhabi downtown. You may drive along the Corniche Road and hover over Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Highway (E12). Cross over Saadiyat Island and head to Yas Island where you may spot clear signs to reach Yas Beach.
  If you don’t have a personal car, you may get on a public bus from the main bus station near Wahda Mall and take the 190 bus route to reach Yas Island in about 40 minutes.
  Alternatively, you can also take a cab but expect to pay around AED 80 as a fare.
• Kai Beach
  With shimmery white sands stretched along a huge shore, Kai Beach is undoubtedly one of the most stunning beach locations in Abu Dhabi. Previously named ad Saadiyat Public Beach, this captivating destination is now looked after and managed by Saadiyat Beach Club. The place has plenty of sun loungers, clean changing rooms, and impressive showers to facilitate the visitors. While there aren’t restaurants, a few food trucks nearby serve delicious tacos, burgers, and refreshing drinks.
  Entry Fees:
  The entrance fees for adults is AED 75 and for the children aged 6 to 12 pay AED 35 during weekdays. Be ready to pay AED 95 for adults and AED 60 for children on the weekends. Kids aged 5 and below can enter for free.
  Getting There:
  To get to Kai Beach, you can either drive down or take a bus or taxi. The beach is approximately a 10-minute drive from downtown Dubai. Cross over the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge past the Mina Zayed and follow the instructions on the road to get to the destination.
  
  

Summing it up:

Abu Dhabi offers a stunning waterfront and captivating architecture. The capital city is an idyllic location for sailing with abundant sunshine all through the year. Beaching and soaking in the sunshine can be the perfect escape from the bustling routine. To top it off, dipping in the sea and indulging in thrilling water sports activities can double the fun. Also, there can be no better way to get up close to the city than by chartering a yacht along with friends and family and making lifelong memories. If you are looking around for a perfect family-friendly destination to hop over to for a break, add Abu Dhabi to your bucket list and you won’t regret it for sure.