The 15 Best Dhow Cruises in the Middle East

1.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Optional Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,288 reviews · 1 - 5 days · from $55Our pick

Use a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 5-day Big Bus pass to explore Dubai’s old city, Downtown, Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The audio guide comes in six languages, and selected passes add a dhow cruise. The longest option includes The Lost World Aquarium, Dubai Frame, a desert sunset outing, and pizza with soft drinks on the cruise.

“Big Bus in Dubai was a fantastic way to get around the city & see sights you wouldn’t normally be able to see. The commentary was amazing & so informative.”

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2.City Sightseeing Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 678 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $68

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day pass to explore Dubai by air-conditioned hop-on hop-off bus, with Red and Blue routes covering 24 stops. See Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Al Fahidi, and the souks, then add a sunset night drive and Al Seef dhow cruise. Two and 3-day passes include Lost World Aquarium.

“Great, it was a good way to see the sights and get around. The Dow boat ride was an extra bonus”

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3.Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 612 reviews · 1h 45m · from $16

Spend 105 minutes aboard a traditional dhow on Dubai Creek, with buffet dinner, music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show. Meet staff in Ocean Express Floating Restaurant shirts opposite the British Embassy. Host Naushad has received warm praise for his friendly service, though the music and food style may not suit everyone.

“As I was celebrating my birthday i enjoyed my cruise and the food was so nice, the view n cruise was so clean most importantly its value for money. The music was so accommodating. We really enjoyed the cruise.”

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4.Dinner Cruise in Dubai Marina onboard Alexandra Dhow

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 544 reviews · from $49

Spend about 1 hour 45 minutes aboard the restored Alexandra Dhow, cruising Dubai Marina past Cayan Tower, JBR, Bluewaters, and Ain Dubai. You’ll get an international buffet, soft drinks, tea, and coffee, with an open-bar upgrade available. Choose your seating carefully, arrive early, and bring clear directions to Marina Promenade.

“We had an amazing time on the cruise — the food was delicious, the views were absolutely stunning, and the entertainment kept us smiling. It was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quality time with family and friends. Everything felt so well put together, from the atmosphere to the service. Definitely something I’d recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing evening.”

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5.Half-Day Dhow Cruise, Dolphin Watching, & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 507 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $37

Set sail from Khasab on a decorated Omani dhow for about three to three and a half hours. You’ll cruise past steep fjord walls, look for wild dolphins, swim and snorkel with provided gear, and enjoy water, fruit, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Guides such as Sohel and Opu have earned praise for attentive service.

“Sohel our guide spoke fantastic English and took care of our every need. He answered our questions and was very knowledgeable. we saw lots of dolphins, a podof about 20 with babies. the views from the boat were beautiful and calm. the only negative was the plastic bottle rubbish on the dockside we had to walk through to get to our boat. also the litter in the sea mostly plastic. by the cruise ship. Oman Khasab need to clean up the area a bit more if they want to break into Tourism.”

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6.2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $80

Cruise Dubai Creek, Canal, or Marina aboard a traditional dhow, with shared hotel pickup, an international buffet, Arabic sweets, and city lights after dark. The 2 to 3-hour outing is relaxed and scenic, but seating is assigned, entertainment may vary, and the boat does not provide a sightseeing commentary.

“Would highly recommend this tour for a lovely evening out. Food was lovely, great selection for all pallets. Staff were so polite and attentive and the atmosphere lovely. Well worth the money. Included hotel transfers also which were excellent too.”

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7.Doha City Tour And Dhow Boat Cruise (Private/Sharing)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · from $60Top rated

This four-hour Doha tour combines hotel pickup, guided city sightseeing, and a 30-minute dhow cruise. You’ll visit Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl Island, Lusail Marina Promenade, and the Corniche. Guides including Sayed, Nitesh, Ali, and Asif are praised for clear communication, local insight, patience, and flexibility.

“The tour takes you to see some of Doha main attractions and includes a boat trip with nice views of Doha skyline. Our guide Nitesh was very kind and patient to explain all the things and answer our questions. It’s a nice tour to get a ideia of Doha.”

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8.Dinner Dhow Cruise with Live Entertainment Al Seef

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 234 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $12Best value

Board a traditional dhow at Al Seef for a short Dubai Creek cruise with an international buffet, unlimited water and soft drinks, music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show. You will pass Old Souk, water taxis, and Dubai Creek Tower. Host Naushad has earned special praise for warm service, though seating may be shared.

“The entertainment was lovely and the Panda bear was unexpected, very good, the camera man was and had great quality pictures, the food was ni e, very warm for me, just needed alittle bit of air circulation and everything perfect, the service was great too. Thank you”

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9.Omani Dhow Coastal and Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 198 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Set out from Marina Bandar Al Rowdha near Al Bustan Palace on a two-hour sunset dhow cruise. You’ll pass Al Bustan Palace, the Portuguese forts of Mirani and Jalali, and Al Alam Palace while enjoying Omani coffee, dates, soft drinks, and light snacks. Hotel pickup in Muscat is optional, with driver Aldo praised for his careful service.

“We didn't realise it was the same company we had already booked in the morning but we're happy to do a 2nd excursion with them. Easy and comfortable pickup, the organisers (drivers, hosts, captains) were the kindest and most polite people. It made the trip all the more enjoyable. And we had the best spot possible to enjoy the sunset on Muttrah.”

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10.Half-Day Dhow Cruise with Dolphin Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 189 reviews · 3h 30m · from $37

From Khasab airport, cruise terminal, or Dolphin Khasab Tours, you’ll board a decorated dhow for Musandam’s fjords. Watch for humpback and bottlenose dolphins, pass fishing villages, and stop at Telegraph Island for swimming. Fruit, cold drinks, tea, coffee, towels, and life vests are included. Snorkeling gear is not.

“Super, Tour, wenig Leute auf dem Boot. Getränke und Obst frei, frisch und kalt.”

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11.Doha from Land & Sea: City Tour & Traditional Dhow Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 187 reviews · from $59

This four-hour private Doha tour combines Souq Waqif, the Corniche, Katara Cultural Village, and The Pearl with a 30-minute dhow cruise. Your English-speaking guide, sometimes Ali, Bilal, Javid, Junaid, or Navid, handles transport, sightseeing, and pickup from your hotel, airport, or port. Small groups keep the outing personal.

“Ali was an amazing guide. We learnt so much about the country, culture, history and beauty of Qatar. He shared his thoughts and experiences as a Qatari in an authentic and intelligent way leaving us with insights into qatar we will never forget. Highly recommended.”

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12.Khasab Musandam Full Day dhow cruise with lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $50

Spend about six hours on a traditional dhow in Khasab’s Khor Sham fjord. You’ll stop near Telegraph Island and Seebi Island for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment, towels, lunch, fruit, coffee, tea, and soft drinks included. Pickup is available, and the boat returns to Khasab Harbor.

“Wow wow wow. What an excursion. I did this excursion during a cruise stopover. If you are coming to Khasab, this is the excursion that you need and nothing else. The host were so nice to us, good food as well. They made sure that we see as many dolphins as possible. And the mountains are spectacular. 100 % recommended.”

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13.Dhow Dinner Cruise on Creek or Marina with Live Shows

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 126 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $32

You’ll cruise Dubai Creek or Dubai Marina on a traditional wooden dhow, watch the skyline brighten after sunset, and eat from a buffet of local and international dishes. Tea, coffee, sweets, fruit, and live music or dance are included. Choose a meeting point or add hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai.

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14.Doha City Tour and Dhow Cruise Ride (Private Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · from $70

Explore Doha with a private English-speaking guide, such as Yam or Sudarshan, and visit the Corniche, Souq Waqif, West Bay, Katara, The Pearl, and Lusail. A 30-minute wooden dhow cruise adds skyline views. Pickup, transport, and bottled water are included, but meals are not.

“Sudarshan.....a. Wonderful tour guide. He made sure to take care of two old retired school teachers. He reminded us about steps and and made sure we were always safe. He was knowledgeable and gracious. You could tell he loved his city of Doha. It was an interesting tour with a great tour guide.”

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15.Doha City Highlights Guided Tour With Dhow Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · from $60

Spend about 4.5 hours touring Doha with an English-speaking guide, usually in a private vehicle for your group. Visit Souq Waqif, the Corniche, Lusail, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl, and the Museum of Islamic Art area, then sail on a traditional dhow. Guides such as Asif, Ali, Sam, Nitesh, and Mubi are praised for clear explanations and helpful photo stops.

“Very good experience for city highlights in Doha Qatar, our tour guide Mr. Nitesh is excellent showing & explaining the places that we visited, well recommended. Thank you!”

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