Quick summary
- The Luxury Superyacht Tour with live DJ, swim and open bar lasts 3 hours.[1]
- The Luxury Superyacht Tour with DJ, swim and open bar is priced from US$126.[1]
- Dubai's average sea temperature is 28 °C (82 °F), from a January low of 22 °C (72 °F) to a summer high of 33 °C (91 °F).[2]
- The route includes Dubai Harbour, Dubai Eye, Atlantis, Dubai and Atlantis The Royal.[1]
- Reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1]
| Price | Duration | Route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superyacht with DJ, swim and open bar | From US$126[1] | 3 hours[1] | Dubai Harbour, Dubai Eye, Atlantis[1] |
| Marina luxury yacht with breakfast or BBQ | From US$25[3] | 1 to 3 hours[3] | Dubai Marina, Ain Dubai, JBR[3] |
| Marina party yacht with BBQ, open bar and live DJ | From US$99[4] | 4 hours[4] | Dubai Marina, Ain Dubai, Atlantis[4] |
| Evening luxury yacht with hotel pickup | From US$47[5] | 1 to 2 hours[5] | Hotel pickup available[5] |
| Private 50ft yacht cruise | From US$195[6] | 1 to 4 hours[6] | Dubai Eye stop[6] |
The average sea temperature throughout the year is 28 °C (82 °F), ranging from a low of 22 °C (72 °F) in January to a high of 33 °C (91 °F) in July, August, and September.
A swim stop that works, if you plan for it
On the day
How the stop actually works
The swim stop is not a separate add-on. It is built into the Luxury Superyacht Tour with Live DJ, Swim and Open Bar, which lasts 3 hours and is priced from US$126.[1] You begin at one of two starting location options, and the route takes in Dubai Harbour, Dubai Eye, Atlantis, Dubai and Atlantis The Royal before returning.[1] Along the way, the yacht stops in open water so you can swim. The DJ keeps playing, the bar stays open, and the crew makes sure everyone gets back on board safely.[1]
This is a superyacht, which gives the stop a different feel from a beach day. A superyacht is typically at least 78 feet (24 metres) long.[8] You are not wading out from shore; you are stepping down from a large, stable boat into deep blue water. If you have never swum from a yacht before, the trick is to trust the ladder, keep your sunglasses on a strap, and remember that the crew does this every day.
Plan to arrive early enough to watch the boarding process and find a spot on deck. The listed duration is 3 hours. Use the full time to settle in, take in the views, and get your bearings before the swim stop.[1]
How warm the Gulf is
The water temperature is one of the best reasons to try the swim stop. Dubai's average sea temperature across the year is 28 °C (82 °F).[2] That is a comfortable swimming temperature by almost any standard. In January, the water cools to 22 °C (72 °F), still swimmable without a wetsuit for most people, while July, August and September warm up to 33 °C (91 °F).[2]
The warmest months are also the most humid, which changes how the swim feels. Humidity is highest in January at 65% and lowest in May at 53%.[9] On a summer evening, the air can feel thick, and the water is almost bath-like. In winter, the water is cooler and the air is drier. Dubai's best weather for being outside and on the water runs from November through March, with daily highs from the low 70s to the mid-80s.[10]
Guests spread across the bow as the superyacht idles off Dubai's coast.
What to bring, and where to change
Packing for the swim stop comes down to one idea: you do not want to carry a bag around all day. The tour facts do not mention lockers; leave anything you do not need at the hotel.[1] In a small day bag, put swimwear, a towel, a light change of clothes, flip-flops, a water bottle and your phone in a waterproof pouch. That is enough for a comfortable 3-hour cruise.[1]
Changing on board is more casual than you think. You can put swimwear on before boarding, then add shorts or a T-shirt for the sightseeing part. When the yacht stops, take off the outer layer and go. After the swim, a deck-level bathroom or a towel wrapped around you works fine. The crew are used to helping guests dry off and find a place to change. English is the live tour guide language, and you will get clear instructions.[1]
Is it deep water
You are not going to be standing on a sandbar. The swim stop is in open water. The depth below you is likely to be greater than the length of your body. That is part of the thrill. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the yacht. The crew will have the ladder down and will keep an eye on everyone in the water.
The sea around the UAE is home to dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, and different species of shark and whales.[7] You may see small fish near the surface, and you might be lucky with a dolphin. Most of the time, the water is clear, glassy and quiet. If you feel nervous, float on your back, look at the yacht's lines, and let the gentle movement of the water do its work.
from US$126
for the Luxury Superyacht Tour with live DJ, swim and open bar.
Children and the swim
Families do take yacht tours in Dubai, but the Luxury Superyacht Tour is not marketed specifically as a family cruise. The listing does not state a minimum age; check the operator's terms when you book.[1] If you have children, plan for an adult to be in the water with them. The free cancellation policy is useful here: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if you need to change plans.[1]
There is no mention of life jackets for guests in the tour facts. If you want one, bring your own or ask the operator before the day.[1] Children who are happy in a pool may find the yacht ladder a little intimidating. Go first, let them follow, and keep hold of hands until they are comfortable. The whole trip lasts 3 hours, and the swimming section is one part of it. Plan for time on deck as well as time in the water.[1]
Sun, and the thing people underestimate
The sun on a yacht is relentless. You are out in the open for the full 3 hours, with reflection off the water and off the white decks.[1] A high-factor sunscreen, a hat with a brim, and polarised sunglasses are the difference between a great memory and a burnt neck. Reapply before the swim and again after you dry off. The winter months are mild, with daily highs ranging from the low 70s to the mid-80s from November through March, but mild sun is still sun.[10]
What catches people out is the humidity. January's average is 65% and May's is 53%.[9] Some days on the water feel humid and still. Humid air makes sweat stick, sunscreen run and hair flatten, but it also makes the sea feel warmer. Drink water regularly, use the open bar in moderation, and find a shady spot on deck when you want a break. You can always move to the bow for the breeze and come back to the shaded lounge for a rest.
If you would rather not
The swim stop is optional in practice, even if it is in the tour name. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on deck with a drink while other guests swim. The DJ and bar continue during the stop.[1] There are also plenty of other Dubai yacht tours that do not make swimming the main event.
For a shorter and cheaper option, the Dubai Marina luxury yacht tour with breakfast or BBQ option starts from US$25 and lasts 1 to 3 hours.[3] If you want a party atmosphere with a barbecue, the Dubai Marina luxury yacht party with BBQ, open bar and live DJ is priced from US$99 and runs for 4 hours.[4] You can still get the skyline views, the boat feeling and the open water without committing to a swim.
Dubai sea temperature
Sea water temperature across the year, January low to summer high.[2]
Compare tour from-prices
US dollar from-prices for each tour compared.[1][3][4]
When to book your swim stop
Plan the swim stop
Book the tour
The Luxury Superyacht Tour with live DJ, swim and open bar starts from US$126.[1]
Choose your start time
Use the check availability tool to see the starting times on the day you want.[1]
Meet at the harbour
The route includes Dubai Harbour, Dubai Eye, Atlantis, Dubai and Atlantis The Royal.[1]
Swim when the yacht stops
A live DJ, swimming and an open bar are all part of the tour.[1]
Keep plans flexible
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1]
Ready to jump in? Book the Dubai superyacht tour with live DJ, swim and open bar.
from US$126Reserve now & pay later
