Extreme Sports Activities in Dubai

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Dom Bewley
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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 Day Trips - Tours From Dubai

Dubai is great - you've decided to vacation there, after all. But there's a whole wide world out there to explore, and it isn't going to explore itself. Instead, grab the travel bull by the travel horns, ignore that terrible turn of phrase, and plan some day trips and tours out of Dubai! Whether you're in the market for some culture, fancy getting your heart pumping, or simply want to ride an exotic animal, there's something for everyone. So, let's talk about the best day trips and tours from Dubai, which you should not miss! Including: Qasr Al Watan Thrill Buggy Rides in Dubai's desert Abu Dhabi's Highlights Day Trip from Dubai 4x4 Quad Bike Ride in Desert (Sahara Adventure) Camel Trekking in Abu Dhabi and more! Visit Qasr Al Watan Learning might not be top of your list when it comes to fun. But learning about another culture is one of the coolest things about a vacation. So, why not gain a deeper understanding of Arabic culture and how the area contributed to the arts and science on a day trip to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi? On the outside, you'll be treated to a magnificent white palace housed in the Presidential Palace compound. On the inside, you'll discover buckets of information about Arab heritage and culture that shaped the history of the United Arab Emirates. By studying artifacts from the UAE's history, you'll learn how local traditions have evolved over the centuries. Then, there's the Qasr Al Watan Library, which culture vultures will love to dive into. All in all, Qasr Al Watan makes for one of the most fascinating day trips from Dubai. Enjoy a Thrill Buggy Ride in Dubai's desert Switching gears now to something a bit more adrenaline-pumping. If you've never ridden over the dunes outside Dubai in a dune buggy, you've never truly lived. Change all that, and get behind the wheel on this amazing day trip out of Dubai. After you're escorted from your hotel in a 4x4, your journey to the dunes will be full of photo ops. Cameras at the ready, boys and girls. Then, you'll arrive at base camp, board your metal hog, and take the beast for a spin. For 30 glorious minutes, you'll be free to carve some sick sand or something. And your guide will be on hand to make sure you don't hurt yourself, or them, or their buggy. Ever felt 800ccs of pure, unadulterated dune buggy chugging beneath you? Nothing quite compares to it. Dubai Day Trips to Abu Dhabi For those who don't know, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It may not be as well known or as beloved as its younger brother Dubai, but it's still well worth a visit. So, why not visit and experience one of the best day trips out of Dubai? The capital is a mix of culture and modernity, offering a decidedly different atmosphere than its neighbors. Kicking off on the coast, you'll pass by famous spots such as the vast Jebel Ali Port, the National Exhibition Centre, Etihad Towers, the Louvre Museum, and Emirates Palace. All of them are worthy of more than a few pictures, so keep your phones charged and your memory free. The perfect answer to Dubai's extravagance, go see what all the fuss is about. Enjoy a 4x4 Quad Bike Tour in the desert If dune buggies don't quite do it for you, why not try a quad bike instead? These four-wheeled wonders can make quick work of Dubai's dunes, so consider doing some sweet dune jumps on this tour of the desert. After your ride drops you at camp, you'll hop on a freaking camel to tour the surroundings. After you've fulfilled your dream of embodying Indiana Jones, you'll reach a specially designed track nestled deep in the beautiful dunes. And then, well, it's game on. Race to your heart's content. Race like nobody's watching. Race like your life depends on it. And then, when you're done, you'll get a lift right back to your hotel. Nice. Take the Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner If you'd rather do the desert safari sans the thrillseeking, then you're in luck. Thanks to this desert safari and BBQ dinner, you can have your cake and eat it too. Well, not cake, mainly grilled meats and veg, but you see what we're saying. You'll still get your 4x4 tour of the dunes, from hotel to sandy sea. And yes, you'll still have plenty of time to snap pics of the mesmerizing scenery. But when you reach the desert camp, you'll be treated to a traditional BBQ meal and feast on grilled meats and other Arabian specialties. Doesn't that sound just delightful? But wait, there's more! Because on top of the grilled goodness and laid-back vibes, you'll be able to enjoy belly dancing, a traditional Egyptian dance show, some smoky shisha, sandboarding, camel riding, henna painting, and more. But if you just want to lounge the night away, go right ahead. You make the rules. You are the golden god. Enjoy camel trekking in Abu Dhabi And finally, if dune buggies don't cut it, you're not interested in quad bikes, and you prefer living matter to machine, why not trek across the beautiful dunes on camelback? Do your best 'Laurence of Arabia' impression on this fantastic natural tour of the dunes. Like before, you'll be escorted in comfort (and air conditioning) to a camp deep in the dunes. From there, you'll saddle up, and ride these curious creatures for a half-hour track into the distant sands. Then, when you're done, you'll be taken back to camp, where you can refuel, relax, and enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, dates, and more before heading back to the city. Very nice. And those were our picks for the best day trips and tours out of Dubai! If this has inspired you to make more plans during your vacation, do yourself a favor and 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.
Dom Bewley
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Travel From Dubai to Qatar

2022 has been an odd year for many of us. For some, it's meant a return to the 'normal' that existed before 2020. To others, it meant great uncertainty and displacement. But as we approach the latter half of the year, there's one thing that's obvious. 2022 is a big year for Qatar. It's a World Cup year, and they have the privilege of hosting the most watched sporting tournament on the planet. Usually a summer tournament, due to the average temperatures in the region during the summer months, the Qatar 2022 World Cup is not only the first held in the Arab world, but the first to take place in winter. People from all over the world will come to watch countries face off on the field. And one of those people may well be you. Image courtesy of fifg/Shutterstock However, the sharp-eyed of you out there may have noticed which country neighbors Qatar. We're talking about the United Arab Emirates, and the jewel in its crown, Dubai. So, if you want to make the most of your trip around the world, you might want to split your vacation between the two. Dubai has some of the most highly praised experiences on the planet, so it's absolutely worth a visit. But what is the best way to travel from Dubai to Qatar, so you can go see the games? Let's talk about it. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the cheapest way As you may expect, the cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by car. However, the trip, which pretty much runs along the coast of the Persian Gulf, will take nearly 7 hours to complete. You can expect to pay around $100 for gas, and that doesn't include the price of the rental vehicle, which could set you back another $5-200, depending on the car you choose. So, it's definitely an option, especially if you want to make the most of the views, and time is on your side. However, if neither of those takes your fancy, let's explore the other options on offer. Travel from Dubai to Qatar - the quickest way Unsurprisingly, the quickest way to travel from Dubai to Qatar is by good old airplane. You can take a direct flight from Dubai International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, in just over an hour. This could cost anywhere between $180-$500, so if you're lucky and book ahead, you could actually save money when compared to renting a car. However, you will need to take travel to and from the respective airports into account, depending on the location of your hotel or accommodation. If you're lucky, an affordable bus will take you close enough to where you're staying. If you're not lucky, you may have to take a cab. And if you do, the costs could add up. Bear in mind that this is only if you're pitching a tent in Doha. If you're staying in one of the other Qatarian states hosting matches, we'll need to talk about those too! Traveling to other cities in Qatar As with all World Cups, the tournament is held in multiple places throughout Qatar. Rather than cities, these are called states. So, if you're not staying in Doha, and have instead chosen to stay in one of the other states that are hosting matches, let's talk about how to reach them! Al Wakrah Al Wakrah is the closest state to Doha. So close, in fact, that you'll be able to take a 13-minute cab from Hamad International Airport to the center of Al Wakrah. The cab should set you back about $18, so easy peasy. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will be the same period of time, so 15 minutes. Al Rayyan Al Rayyan is a little further away from Doha than Al Wakrah, so getting there will be a bit harder. After arriving at Hamad International Airport, you'll need to get a bus or cab to Al Mansoura, and then a train to Education City. These will likely cost around $12 and take around 25 minutes. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the whole journey will take around 23 minutes. Lusail Further still from the above is Lusail. To get there, take a 40-minute train from Hamad International Airport to Lusail , which is super cheap at around $2. Then, get a cab from the station to your accommodation. Prices will vary because, unfortunately, we aren't mind readers, and have no idea where you're staying! If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the entire journey will take you around 38 minutes. Al Khawr (Al Khor) The final and furthest World Cup state on the list is Al Khawr, sometimes referred to as Al Khor. To get there, the recommended route says you should take a bus from Hamad International Airport to Al Khawr Gardens. This will take about an hour, and set you back around $40. Then, hail a cab to your temporary residence. If it's in the center of Al Khawr, it will cost around $7. If you hire a car when you arrive at Hamad International Airport, the journey will take you around 43 minutes. And that about covers everything you need to know about travel from Dubai to Qatar! If you're heading to the World Cup, have fun, and make sure you respect the traditions and laws that govern Qatar. If you're heading to Dubai and looking for fun without the fuss? Look no further than Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Dubai's best bits when and how you want. If you're looking for some extreme sports to get the blood pumping, why not check out our guide to the best thrill-seeking activities in the city? Live for the night? Read up on our recommendations for the best neon-soaked activities. Feeling peckish and want to know what's good? We've got you covered, thanks to your ultimate guide to the best eats in Dubai. 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
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