Dubai, UAE » Entertainment » Outdoor Activities

Sporting activity has started to play a major role in the city of Dubai in recent years. Especially, with Dubai Sports City in Dubailand continuing its vigorous development it could even be responsible for hosting the Olympic games one day. With Dubai’s supreme horse racing tracks, golf courses and its long awaited Formula 1 autodrome, it is surely a sportsman’s paradise city.

There are plenty of activities to get involved in, whether you want to sit back and enjoy watching your favourite sport, or wish to participate in a thrilling activity for those exciting adrenaline rushes, then Dubai has the answer.

Outdoor Activities

Aerial Tours

Dubai by air is a spectacular sight that will be unforgettable. Helicopters and plane tours and even hot air balloon rides over the city will give u a birds-eye perspective to the wonder that is called 'Dubai'. Some trips take tourists across the city, and over the desert and the Hajar Mountains. Experienced pilots with a valid license can hire aircrafts from Dubai Flying Club on an hourly rental basis. Contact Details: Amigos Balloons

Camel Racing

This traditional sport has been renewed with much enthusiasm in recent years. Informal desert tracks, and now quite a few official ones have been assigned for this purpose - a large ten kilometer track on the Al Ain road, about forty-five kilometers from Abu Dhabi city; at Al Ain itself, at Dubai and Umm Al Quwain.

Certain slender, finely formed breeds such as the white or golden 'Anafi' and the brown or black 'Boushari' are more suitable for racing. Camel training commences at about six months and entrance for official races beginning at about three years.

Camel races are usually held every Thursday, Friday, Sunday and occasionally on Monday mornings, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe local Emiratis in harmony with their surroundings. Camel racing season begins in October until April.

Creek Tours

The Dubai Creek can be explored with the help of an organised creek tour. It is a great way to see new and old Dubai side by side whilst enjoying a peaceful and relaxed journey. Many of the tours are carried out by traditional wooden dhows or Abras (the traditional water taxi) which takes you on a short journey across the waterway from the glass-and-steel office blocks of Bur Dubai to the old-world Souks of Deira, providing a fascinating glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage.

Contact Details: Creekside Leisure

Desert Safaris

Trips to the desert in groups can be a great way to explore the outdoors and meet other people, as well as finding out a little bit more about the Arabic culture. Safaris generally last for half a day and can include an overnight stay in one of the Bedouin tents.

Activities available include:

1. Wadi-Driving - This is a popular pastime with both residents and visitors. This involves discovering the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow after winter rains from the Hajar mountains.
2. Dune driving - Driving in sand can be a thrilling experience by itself and this combines the excitement of a roller coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile on the shifting surface. Courses in sand driving are available, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided, along with expert instruction.
3. Sand-Skiing - Those with a desire for speed, a head for heights and enthusiasm will enjoy an unusual sport, sand-skiing down the dunes of the Dubai desert.
4. Desert Feasts - Safaris are made more pleasurable by culminating into an evening with spectacular sunset views followed by a traditional Arab barbecue under the stars. You can even tailor your evening to your need and round it off with some great Arabic music and belly dancing, the smoking of hubble-bubble pipes and often a display of falconry.

Fishing

The Gulf is rich in marine life, and fishing was once a mainstay of the local economy. Kingfish, jackfish, red snapper, rock cod (the popular Hamour on most Dubai menus), barracuda and other species are caught commercially and not for sport. Sailfish and bottom-feeding sharks are regularly caught by visiting fishermen who can hire fully-equipped boats, with crew, for deep-sea fishing trips.

Contact details: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

Golf Courses

Dubai is a golfer's paradise. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the famous Emirates Golf Club are the venues of the European PGA tour. The Nad Al Sheeba Golf and Racing Club even offers night golf at night for the enthusiasts who want to beat the summer heat of Dubai!

Contact Details: Arabian Ranches Golf Club

Telephone: 04 366 3000

Horse Racing

The sport of kings has rapidly become Dubai's most popular spectator event, attracting crowds of more than 15,000. Race meetings are held weekly during the cooler months at one of the UAE's four race courses. Dubai Racing Club situated at the Naad Al Sheba is the city’s largest and most spectacular track and home to the Dubai World Cup - the sport's richest horse race.

Horse riding is part of the local tradition and is upheld today by several centres including the Dubai Equestrian Centre and Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables. Horse rides through the desert are organized regularly and Dubai also has a riding association for the disabled.

Contact details: Zabeel stables

The Double Decker Bus

Straight from the streets of London to the highways and roads of Dubai, these highly visual, vintage double-decker buses provide fun for everyone whatever the occasion. With lots of unique activities for all ages, Dubai's only red double-decker buses provide an exclusive party venue, eye-catching promotional media, or just a fun way to add interest to a corporate or public event.

Contact Details: The Double Decker

Entertainment Parks

Magic Planet:

Housed in the giant Deira City Centre shopping mall, this children's entertainment centre is a unique indoor site with 10 pin bowling, a crawling bungie jungle, a variety of electronic games and a mini pitch and putt.

Wild Wadi

Imagine 12 acres of desert filled with 30 million litres of water, solely dedicated to having fun. That is Wild Wadi in Dubai, with 23 rides to entertain and excite every member of the family. This has been more than just a shelter for those wanting to escape the heat of the desert. Adrenaline seekers will love Jumeirah Sceirah - a 33-meter high slide with steep angles to propel riders up to 80km per hour. There is also Breakers Bay, which has a wave machine creating 1.5-meter waves all day.

Contact Details: Wild Wadi Water Park

Tel: 04 3484444

Wonderland

The 18 hectare Wonderland family fun park features a wide range of water attractions including speed slides, surf hills, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It is closed on Sundays, Wednesdays are for Ladies only and Thursdays are for Families Only.

Tel: 04 3241222

Indoor Activities

Galleria Ice Rink

The rink offers all the thrills and chills of ice skating, and professional ice skaters are available for private tuition. You can call: 971 4 209 6551 to make a reservation. The team will also take enquiries for cool kids' parties, which can be organized for a maximum of 15 children.

Tel: 04 2096550

Go Karting

Dubai has the first Middle East fully-equipped 40,000 sq. ft air-conditioned indoor go-kart facility at Formula One. Outdoors, an active go-karting fraternity races regularly at the track beside the Jebel Ali Hotel. Visitors can enjoy this sport during the months of Oct-May.

Contact details: Emirates Kart Centre

Thunder Bowl

Thunder Bowl is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and its concept is based on similar centres in America and Europe, which have proved to be very popular. Thunder Bowl has successfully incorporated the traditional game of bowling, with state of the art technology from the Brunswick Corporations, USA. To further enhance its appeal, Thunder Bowl also offers its customers a complete leisure entertainment package, which includes: 20 state of the art bowling lanes by Brunswick Corporation, Pool & Snooker Hall, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Parlor, A & W Burger Restaurant, Pizza Inn, Allewan Restaurant & Cafe - Arabic Restaurant, Bowling Pro Shop, Network/ Cyber Games Cafe and Video Games Arcade. Located in the former Safestway Supermarket, on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Defense Round About, Thunder Bowl allows easy access to its customer with ample car parking for over 300 cars.

Tel: 04 3431000

More activities and further contact information

Archery:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Jebel Ali Shooting Club Tel.: 04 883 6555

Bird Watching:

Falconry Tel.: 04 206 4609

Cruising:

Bateaux Dubai Tel.: 04 399 4994

Charlotte Anne Charters Tel.: 09 222 0538

Danat Dubai Cruises Tel.: 04 351 1117

El Mundo Tel.: 04 343 4870

Club Mina, Le Meredian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina

Tel.: 04 399 3333

Yacht Solutions Tel.: 04 348 6838

Diving:

P.A.D.I & B.S.A.C Tel.: 04 342 2993

Fishing:

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Tel.: 04 205 4646

Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa Club Tel.: 04 883 6000

Le Meredian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina Tel.: 04 399 3333

Yacht Solutions Tel.: 04 348 6838

Flying:

Aerogulf Service Company Tel.: 04 220 0331

Eastern Skyjets Tel.: 04 299 5822

Emirates Flying School Tel.: 04 299 5155

Fujairah Aviation Centre Tel.: 09 222 4747

Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub Tel.: 06 768 1447

Hot Air Ballooning:

Amigos Balloons Tel.: 04 289 9295

Balloon Adventures Dubai Tel.: 04 273 8585

Voyagers Extreme Tel.: 04 345 4504

Karting:

Dubai Autodrome Tel.: 04 367 8700

Emirates Kart Centre Tel.: 04 2827 111

Formula One Dubai Tel.: 04 338 8828

Mountaineering:

Mountain Extreme Tel.: 050 450 5426

Mini Golf:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Hyatt Golf Park Tel.: 04 209 6741

Paintballing

Next to Wonderland Theme & Water Park,

Garhound Bridge, Tel: 050 651 4583

Paragliding:

Micro Aviation Club Tel.: 050 483 0915

Polo:

Arabian Ranches Tel.: 04 884 6556

Ghantoot Polo Club Tel.: 02 562 9055

Shooting:

Hatta Fort Hotel Tel.: 04 852 3211

Jebel Ali Shooting Club Tel.: 04 883 6555

Skydiving:

Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub Tel.: 06 768 1447

Water Parks:

Wald Wadi Tel.: 04 348 4444

Spalshland Tel.: 04 324 1222

Dreamland Aqua Park Tel.: 06 768 1888

Water sports:

Dubai offshore Sailing Club Tel.: 04 394 1669

Dubai Water sports Association Tel.: 04 324 1031

Dusail LLC Tel.: 04 396 2353