Yacht Rental in Dubai: 5 Must-Know Tips for a Smooth Experience

Renting a yacht is a fantastic experience in Dubai, offering a unique perspective of the city and a taste of the high life.

In this article, you’ll find five essential facts and tips about renting a yacht in Dubai that will help ensure your experience is as smooth as possible.

Why you should rent a yacht in Dubai

Whether you’re a seasoned yachtie or entirely new to yachting, there are plenty of reasons why this popular Dubai activity makes for a fabulous experience.

From the water, you can experience Dubai from an entirely different perspective, revealing a side of the city you wouldn’t see from land.

Of course, in a city renowned for its opulent lifestyle and often viewed as the exclusive playground of the world’s rich and famous, renting a yacht offers a taste of that luxury too.

Another reason why renting a yacht can be a great idea is if you enjoy fishing, as the seas off the Dubai coast offer some excellent fishing spots.

These five facts and tips cover the key things you need to know about renting a yacht in Dubai.

1. There is a wide variety of yachts, with a boat suited to every purpose

Yachts in Dubai come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from beautiful sailing boats and smaller sport fishing yachts to the largest and most opulent luxury yachts you’ve ever seen.

Exclusive Yachts Dubai is one of the most reputable and respected yacht rental companies in Dubai, offering a vast fleet to choose from.

The luxury yachts offered by Exclusive Yachts Dubai are all in pristine condition, and their website clearly details the rental conditions for each yacht, including price, facilities on board, and the maximum allowed group size.

If you’re after a fishing trip, a small speedboat or sports fishing yacht will do the job, while luxury yachts and superyachts are ideal for those seeking a taste of the Dubai lifestyle.

The company also offers yachts for large groups of over 50 people, perfect for hosting a party or a business event.

2. Yacht rentals typically include a skipper

Most yacht rental businesses in Dubai include a skipper in their rate, so you can relax on deck without worrying about sailing the ship.

This saves you the hassle of handling documentation, such as showing a yacht driving licence, which would be necessary if you sailed the yacht yourself.

It’s also easier with insurance, as you don’t need to worry about it if the yacht rental company’s skipper is at the helm, but if you plan to sail yourself, it must be clearly arranged with the rental company.

If you want to sail a yacht yourself, it’s essential to contact the rental company in advance to inquire whether it’s possible and what paperwork is required to arrange it.

Note that when you rent a larger, more luxurious yacht, it will often include not just a skipper, but also a dedicated butler to serve food and drinks and attend to your needs during your time on the water.

For an additional cost, you can often include extra personnel on board, such as a dedicated chef, if desired.

3. Plan your itinerary

Just like you would make an itinerary for any trip you embark on, you should do the same when you go yachting.

There is much to see in Dubai from the water, from the inland waterways like Dubai Creek and the skyscrapers around the marina, to the Burj al Arab and the man-made wonders of Palm Jumeirah and the World Islands.

When renting a yacht in Dubai with a skipper included, it’s important to communicate in advance where you want to go, as this will help determine the approximate duration of your rental.

Many yacht rental companies in Dubai offer set itineraries, which are useful if you’re not familiar with the city’s sights and waterways.

4. Read about deposit conditions

Yacht rentals in Dubai typically require a deposit to secure the reservation, which can be paid by debit or credit card, or via bank transfer.

The deposit is usually 50% of the total rental cost, so be sure to factor this in when making a booking.

It’s also a good idea to review the cancellation policies in the fine print on the company’s website beforehand.

Many yacht rental companies offer a full refund of the deposit if you cancel a few days in advance, but if you cancel on shorter notice, you’re likely to lose part or all of your deposit.

5. Rules on board can differ between rental companies and yachts

When renting a yacht, there are rules set by the Dubai Coast Guard and the laws of the United Arab Emirates that apply to all yachties.

These rules and laws not only determine where you can sail your yacht, but also specify what is allowed on board.

For example, swimming and water activities are prohibited after sunset, and you must be mindful of noise levels, meaning you can’t throw a large party with loud music in the middle of the marina.

Alcohol policies can vary greatly between yacht rental companies, as drinking in public is officially prohibited in Dubai.

It’s also a good idea to review policies regarding children and pets on board, as kids are generally allowed under the supervision and responsibility of an adult, while most yacht rental companies prohibit pets.

Conclusion

If you plan to rent a yacht in Dubai, it’s wise to prepare, and the five tips above will certainly help streamline the process, ensuring a fantastic yachting experience.

Make sure to choose a yacht that suits your needs, arrange in advance if you plan to sail yourself, plan your itinerary with the rental company, review the deposit conditions, and familiarise yourself with the rules and laws.

This way, you’ll avoid any surprises during your rental and enjoy a fantastic experience sailing while soaking in a bit of that luxury Dubai lifestyle!