Skyline views
Night cruises give you striking views of the Marina waterfront, high-rises, yachts and, from some routes, the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah.
Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina
Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina is a cruise agency offering dinner cruises through Dubai Marina, with sightseeing, buffet meals and onboard entertainment. Its clearest draw is the nighttime route past waterfront scenery and high-rise buildings, though reviews suggest the food and organisation can vary.
Reputation Score
4.1
★★★★☆
205 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Live shows
Reviews mention Tanoura dance, magic shows, music and even drone-show entertainment, adding a cultural or lively element to the ride.
Buffet choice
Some guests found the buffet fresh and varied, including Middle Eastern, international and vegetarian options; an Indian buffet also received praise.
Hotel transfers
One Klook booking included round hotel transfers, with the reviewer reporting a sharp, on-time pickup.
Romantic setting
Soft lighting, skyline views and a deck under the stars have made the cruise appealing for anniversaries and couples.
Tips for a Better Visit
Confirm drinks. Ask before accepting coffee, juice or snacks whether they are included; multiple guests were charged after being told they were free.
Verify duration. Confirm the actual sailing time and boat before paying. One advertised two-hour cruise lasted only one hour.
Check booking. Reconfirm your name, boat and departure time after booking, since one guest had to move between ships because the name was missing.
Choose views. If the skyline matters more than dinner, consider a simple boat ride and eat separately; one reviewer found the views worthwhile but dinner avoidable.
Allow waiting. Build in extra time for boarding: reviews mention queues, crowding and a 15–25 minute wait even when guests arrived early.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Mall
Marsa Dubai, Dubai
| Mon | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tue | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wed | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thu | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Fri | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Sat | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Sun | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Popular Mentions
Dhow Cruise Dinner at Dubai Marina
The core offering is an evening dhow dinner cruise through the Marina, combining a boat ride, buffet meal and skyline sightseeing.
buffet dinner
Buffet dinner is a recurring part of the experience, though reviews disagree about its quality and variety.
Common Concerns
Drink charges
Several guests say coffee, juice or other drinks were presented as free and then charged separately; one group paid 65 AED for three drinks.
Food inconsistency
Dinner ranges from excellent to tasteless or cold in the reviews, with repeated complaints about limited variety and below-average quality.
Poor organisation
Guests describe incorrect boat assignments, names missing from lists, long queues and departures delayed by around an hour.
Crowded boarding
Some sailings had heavy crowds, rushed first-come boarding and fights over seats, making the waiting and dining experience uncomfortable.
Boat disruption
One review reports a boat that could not be steered, a two-hour wait at a pier and no apology or compensation afterwards.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
65 AED
3 drinks
“We paid 65 AED for 3 drinks”Google review · March 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina is a dinner-and-sightseeing cruise in Dubai Marina, where the main attraction is the nighttime view: waterfront scenery, yachts, illuminated skyscrapers and, on some routes, the Burj Khalifa or Palm Jumeirah. Guests can book a buffet dinner, watch live entertainment such as Tanoura dancing, and spend the evening on a traditional-style boat or a larger cruise vessel. The views are the most dependable reason to consider it.
Several reviews describe the skyline as excellent, and some couples enjoyed the romantic lighting, breeze and deck setting. Entertainment can also be a highlight, with Tanoura, magic, music and even a drone show mentioned. Food is much less predictable: some diners praised fresh, varied buffets with vegetarian or Indian options, while others reported tasteless, cold or limited dishes.
Go in with clear expectations about logistics. Reviews mention missing names, boat changes, long queues, late departures and one serious breakdown that left passengers waiting two hours. Ask exactly what is included before boarding, especially for drinks, coffee and snacks; guests reported unexpected charges, including 65 AED for three drinks.
Families may also want to check the atmosphere, as one sailing involved loud music and a fight onboard.