Extreme Sports Activities in Dubai

Published: July 18, 2024
extreme dubai

Thrill seekers! Are you looking for extreme fun in the sun that will get you off your bum? Rejoice, oh brave adventures. Dubai, the city in the sand, has you well and truly covered. So much so that we had to make a guide dedicated to all of the extreme opportunities on offer. So read on, be brave, and discover the best extreme sports activities in Dubai!

Including:

  • Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm
  • Ski Dubai
  • Thrill Buggy Ride in Dubai's desert
  • iFly Dubai Indoor Skydiving
  • E-Kart Zabeel
  • and more!
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Go on an overwater adventure

Want to get extreme? Why not dare to ride some of the best waterslides in the world? Dare to fulfill those dreams at Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. It might be a mouthful, but you'll forget all that when you're bombing down a sweet waterslide at a million miles an hour. Well, not a million, but more than two.

Test your mettle on the extreme Leap of Faith, which plummets straight through a shark-filled lagoon at a breakneck pace. Dodge the sharks (don't worry, they're safely imprisoned behind thick glass) and crash into the pool below. Gnarly.

Or challenge the god of the sea himself at Poseidon's Revenge. Enter one of his devious capsules and prepare to plummet down at speeds of 60mph. There's a lot of plummeting going on, which can only mean one thing - it's one of the best extreme sports activities in Dubai!

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Ski for your life

Dubai's opulent existence is perhaps best characterized by the biggest indoor winter sports park. Yes, even in the harsh, unforgiving desert, you'll find sweet jumps to catch and sweet hills to descend. That's all thanks to Ski Dubai, a must-visit for any of you snow heads. Is that a real word? Snow heads? Who cares - get extreme!

Whether you choose to attach yourself to skis, a snowboard, or another form of snow traversal, you'll love bombing it around this weirdly cold arena. Much like other snowy locales, expect snow, courses, hills, and even a ski lift for that authentic mountaintop experience.

After all, what's more extreme than braving freezing temperatures when it's hot enough to melt your skin outside? Extreme weather variance!

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Buggin Out

Or, relive your favorite Mad Max: Fury Road scenes by hopping in a dune buggy and tearing it around Dubai's golden seas. Yes, you can do that, thanks to a Thrill Buggy Ride in Dubai's desert.

You'll kick things off with a lift in a 4x4 to the dunes. After a touch of sightseeing, you'll reach base camp, and then it's buggy time, baby. Hop in your metal hog of choice, and you'll have 30 minutes to tear it across the dunes. Your buddy will be an experienced dune buggy enthusiast, so you needn't worry about going in blind. They'll teach you everything you need to know about controlling the roaring beast, so you can focus on the most important things - sweet skids, supreme jumps, and extreme buggy action. Yeah! Witness you! Just don't get too excited and spray silver paint in your mouth - there's a reason those guys were so pale.

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Fly away

Many things can't come close to the extremeness of jumping from a plane at 30,000 feet. But for many of us, the extreme risk of not living may outweigh the desire to attempt such feats. But never fear thrill seekers because Dubai has a way for you to cheat death and still enjoy the fall. It's called iFly Indoor Skydiving, and it's totally rad, man.

Enter the tube of airy death, feel the 200kph winds lift you off the ground, and then spin, twist, and shout as you mimic the life of a skydiver.

Newbies are welcome, too, with instructors on hand to guide you through the process of controlling your body while falling. And experts can shut their ears and spin to their heart's content.

Never felt the thrill of the wind rushing past you as you defy gravity? Then this is one of the best extreme sports activities in Dubai you cannot miss.

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Kart life

If you're a fan of racing, or racing-adjacent media, you might wonder what it feels like to drift around corners and beat the competition to the finish line. Wonder no more, you extreme legend, and burn some rubber thanks to E-Kart Zabeel.

You'll have 7 minutes to race your state-of-the-art go-kart around a specially designed track, taking corners and leaving your enemies in the dust.

Got friends? Lucky. Show them off by bringing them along, and then rub their faces in it when you inevitably win. No friends? No matter - join a group of randoms and rub their faces in it. Why make friends when you can spark lifelong rivalries that no one will write about?

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Red go fast?

You know what's extreme? Rollercoasters. Breakneck speed, gravity-defying movement, and the ejection of one's stomach contents are all hallmarks of these beloved beasts. You know what's more extreme than your average rollercoaster? The fastest rollercoaster ever created by mere mortal minds. And where do you find this insane creation? Why, at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, of course!

The rollercoaster in question is called Formula Rossa, and it boasts speeds of 240kmph. If you think you can handle 4.8Gs of force squishing your body back in your seat, then you might be extreme enough to survive.

Other than that terrifying trial, you can challenge your friends to a drag race at Fiorano GT Challenge, hop on a military bi-plane at Flying Aces, and test your resolve on the Turbo Track, which purports to offer a fast vertical climb followed by an epic zero-g fall. Not for us. Nope.

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Work your quads

And finally, we end our extreme list of sports activities in Dubai on four wheels. Ever wanted to live out your wildest desert fantasies that include camels? Well, now you can, thanks to this camel, sandboarding, and quad biking adventure over Dubai's dunes.

You'll be driven to the desert, ride on camels, and then ride these 4-wheeled wonders along a track designed with the extreme in mind.

Picture yourself in slow motion as you dip, turn, and jump. Hear the 80s hair metal in your mind as you pull off extreme maneuvers. Embody the extreme, don't simply flirt with it.

And that's our list of the best extreme sports activities in Dubai! Wondering what to do with the rest of your vacation? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. There's so much to do, see, and experience that no matter what you decide to do, you'll love your time in the city!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Dubai Family Vacation Ideas - Attractions, Activities & Things to Do

We all love those family vacation memories, so we've rounded up our favorite Dubai family vacation ideas. Whether you’re spending endless days on the beach or cramming in as much sightseeing as humanly possible, those times spent with family are some of the best we’ll ever have. If you’re planning a family vacation to Dubai and are in search of those perfect family-friendly ideas, check out this post for inspiration. We’ll direct you to our favorite things to do with our families, from amusement parks to indoor skydiving. Our top Dubai family vacation ideas include: Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis the Palm Burj Khalifa 1 Day 2 Parks Hopper at Dubai Parks & Resorts Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis the Palm Ski Dubai Indoor Skiing iFLY Indoor Skydiving IMG Worlds of Adventure The Green Planet Save on Dubai Family Vacation Attraction Ideas Regular admission to a number of these family-friendly attractions is available on the Go Dubai Card. Choose as you go from top visited attractions and save up to 52% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Learn more about our Dubai passes, attractions and prices. Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Dubai Tour – 1 Day Ticket is one of the best ways to get around to all of the top sights in Dubai. The bus allows for a super flexible day of sightseeing. Consult the schedule beforehand and figure out where you want to be! You can hop on or off at any stop and explore all that Dubai has to offer. The Hop On Hop Off Bus stops at popular landmarks like Pier 7 Marina, Tallest Block skyscrapers, Heritage Village, and Dubai Fountain (home of the Burj Khalifa). It also stops at a handful of Dubai's most popular beaches - do we see a beach day on the horizon?! Getting in: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Dubai Tour: 1-Day tickets are included on Go Dubai Card. iFly Indoor Skydiving Another out-of-the-ordinary indoor experience is a flight at iFly. At iFly Indoor Skydiving, the motto is: no plane, no parachute, no problem! Defy gravity and experience the rush of freefalling without having to jump out of anything. Within the safety of the controlled environment, you'll experience the sensation skydivers do when they float through the air. Visitors of all ages are welcome to test their bravery on this flight experience. It's the perfect thing to do together as a family of thrill-seekers. Getting in: iFly Indoor Skydiving tickets are included on Go Dubai Card. IMG Worlds of Adventure Get transported to another universe at the world's largest indoor theme park. With five themed zones featuring popular characters from Cartoon Network and MARVEL, kids of all ages will enjoy a day at IMG. From thrill rides to haunted houses and everything in between, IMG Worlds of Adventure is a one-of-a-kind experience. Get haunted at the Haunted Hotel, an interactive maze so terrifying only visitors 15 and older can visit. If you're a total thrill-seeker, take a spin on Thor Thunder Spin, The Velociraptor, or Predator. You'll defy gravity on each ride, as you shoot out in a roller coaster and take on twists and turns at top-speed. Getting in: IMG Worlds of Adventure tickets are included on Go Dubai Card. Remember to Save on Family Friendly Admission There you go. A few suggestions for attractions and activities for your upcoming Dubai family vacation. There are lots of Dubai family attractions to see and your family will probably have a fantastic time at all of them. Regular admission to a number of these family-friendly attractions is available on the Go Dubai Card. We hope you consider adding some of these fun ideas to your family vacation itinerary.
Nicole Muto
Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner in Dubai | Go Dubai Pass
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4 Days in Dubai - Itinerary

Picture the scene - you're on your plane ride to Dubai. Brilliant. However, over the tannoy, you hear terrifying news. The pilot is out cold. Shocking! For some reason, the attendants turn to you. Begrudgingly, you take the controls and wrestle this bird down towards the runway. You do so with a finesse you didn't know you had, and the passengers cheer your name as you land safely. You made it; congrats. You're here. But what do you do after all those heroics? You've only got 4 days in Dubai, and you're woefully unprepared. Stay calm, hero. You just saved a plane full of theoretical people. Breathe deep, and grab your reading glasses. We've put together an itinerary for your 4 days in Dubai. Now read, and cry tears of joy. Your vacation is saved. Day 1 Morning You've probably eaten on the plane, so let's get straight to the fun stuff. Kick things off with a blood-pumping visit to Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm. Arguably Dubai's best water park, it features tons of amazing rides, slides, and everything in between. Noon Time for a bite to eat. There are tons of restaurants available, so it's really up to you. Go with something close to Aquaventure, or venture further afield to get something up your alley. Then, we suggest you visit Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. The highlight is the long underwater tunnel you'll travel through to get to the aquarium proper. See sharks, rays, and other oddities up close. Night Time for dinner. Grab a bite to eat at one of Dubai's brilliant restaurants, and then prepare for more water. It's a water day, so take to the seas and see the sights on an Ain Dubai boat tour. It's the perfect way to end the day while ticking one of your sightseeing checkboxes. Glide past the massive Ain Dubai observation wheel, see the beauty of Dubai Marina, and then head home for some much-needed shut-eye. Day 2 Morning Rise and shine, sleepy head. There's vacationing to be done! We're brunching, baby, so head down to Bubbalicious in the Marriott's Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Get your fill of bottomless lobster, curry, steak, Asian dishes, roasted meats, and much more. Noon After your lazy and satisfying morning, why not hit up the beach? Dubai has tons of brilliant beach spaces, but we'd recommend heading to Jumeirah Beach Residence - or JBR. This massive beach has everything you could ever want - clean white sand, warm blue water, and enough space to stretch out and make the most of it. Relax, let your food settle, and prepare for the evening's shenanigans. Night Grab a bite to eat, and prepare for scares at No Way Out, Dubai's premier escape rooms! Pick from 10 spooky rooms, including authentic offerings from the IT and Ring universes, and contend with traps, puzzles, and creepy actors trying to scare you senseless. If you're looking for a more passive experience, head to the interactive horror cinema and experience 5D thrills and chills as actors sneak up on you during the film's scariest bits! Day 3 Morning Get some breakfast at the hotel, and then prepare for a morning desert safari through Dubai's dunes! With a lift to and from your hotel, you'll be able to enjoy camel riding, sand skiing, and even driving on a quad bike or dune buggy without worrying about getting home. Noon Next up on our list is the theme park with the fastest rollercoaster on Earth. Where else would you find such a thing than at Ferrari World? It's called the Formula Rossa and barrels your forward at speeds up to 150mph in 4.9 seconds. That's 5Gs of force, which is equivalent to F1 racecar drivers. So, if you've ever wanted to experience the feeling of speeding down the racetrack, this is it! Night After a day of thrills, spills, and avoiding your ills, head to Bagatelle to see out your day. You'll be sure of a delicious meal thanks to the authentic French cuisine, with the likes of snails and frogs legs sure to sparkle the senses. But the real reason you'll spend your evening at Bagatelle is the nightlife. After dark, it transforms into a lively pseudo-club with live music, an enviable drinks menu, and plenty of room to dance! Now go to bed; you've got one day of Dubai left! Day 4 Morning It's nearly over. Sad times. Get your morning started with a trip to one of Dubai's brilliant beach clubs. You'll be able to kick back, relax, get a light bite to eat, and even have a dip in a pool if you play your cards right! Noon Then, after your relaxing morning, try some chilly thrills at Ski Dubai! It's the world's largest indoor ski center and caters to both seasoned vets and complete newbies alike! With plenty of slopes to overcome, you can try your hand at skiing, snowboarding, or snow sledding. It's completely up to you. You'll even have the chance to see a family of penguins at certain times of the day. If the heat's overbearing, Ski Dubai is the best place to cool down. Night And now, to end your 4 days in Dubai, we'll end events with a delightful trip to the desert for some food and entertainment! On this desert safari and BBQ dinner extravaganza, you'll see out your vacation with a relaxing return to Dubai's dunes. You'll be chaperoned from your hotel in a plush, air-conditioned 4x4 and head into the desert. Make sure you snap pictures of the beautiful surrounding as the sun goes down. Then, you'll reach camp and be treated to a mouth-watering menu of BBQ meat and veg that will fill you to bursting. Then, sit back and enjoy the evening's entertainment. Watch authentic belly dancing, smoke up a shisha storm, ride a camel, and even get a henna tattoo. Then, get a lift back to your hotel and prepare to leave. It's all over, but your memories will last forever - as long as you took some photos. After all, your brain isn't what it once was. And that rounds out our itinerary to 4 days in Dubai! If some of our suggestions aren't up your street, check out the massive list of experiences on offer at Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley

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