Crazy Things to Do in Dubai: Skydiving, Sand Dunes, and Sensational Extremes

Extreme adventures and unexpected thrills that go far beyond the typical tourist itinerary

Hello there, fellow travellers.

Dubai has engineered thrills you simply can’t find elsewhere. Where else can you dive deeper than a 10-storey building in the morning, zipline between skyscrapers at lunch, and watch the sun set from the world’s tallest building by evening? This isn’t a destination where you’ll spend days searching for adventure – it’s a city where the challenge becomes choosing which extraordinary experience to tackle first.

This guide focuses exclusively on Dubai’s most thrilling attractions and activities – the experiences that will genuinely get your heart racing. I’ve included all the practical details you’ll need: precise locations, current pricing, booking procedures, and timing recommendations. My aim is simple: to help you experience Dubai’s most exhilarating side with confidence and to provide you with all the information you need about the most popular things that might be considered crazy in other parts of the world.

Tandem skydive above Palm Jumeirah island

Sky-High Adventures for the Brave

Skydiving Over Palm Jumeirah

Few experiences match the particular thrill of jumping from an aircraft at 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), particularly when your landing zone is one of the world’s most recognisable artificial islands. Skydive Dubai operates from a dedicated dropzone at Palm Jumeirah, offering tandem jumps that place you in free fall above the Arabian Gulf.

The experience unfolds across several hours. After arrival at the Skydive Dubai facility, you’ll complete registration, watch a safety briefing, and meet your instructor. The tandem system securely attaches you to an experienced professional who manages all technical aspects – you simply experience the jump itself.

The aircraft climbs for approximately 15 minutes, providing expanding views of Dubai’s coastline. Then comes the exit: a moment of pure sensation as you free-fall at roughly 190 kilometres per hour (118 mph) for 60 seconds. Your instructor deploys the parachute at about 1,500 metres (4,921 feet), transforming the experience from intense rush to peaceful float. The five-minute parachute descent offers extraordinary perspectives on Palm Jumeirah’s frond pattern, the Dubai Marina skyline, the Burj Al Arab, and Dubai’s skyline, making it a truly unforgettable aerial view.

Freefall experience with coastal views below

Practical details:

  • Address: Sky Dive Dubai, Palm Dropzone, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

  • Operating hours: Daily 7:00 AM –sunset (winter), 6:00 AM –1:00 PM (summer, due to heat)

  • Price: Tandem jump 2,199 AED (≈ 555 EUR / ≈ 600 USD) – as of October 2025

  • Booking: Advance reservation essential via official website; video/photography packages available separately

  • Requirements: Minimum age 18, maximum weight 100kg, reasonable fitness level

XLine Dubai Marina

High-speed descent over Dubai Marina canal

The XLine Dubai Marina holds the Guinness World Record for longest urban zipline, stretching one kilometre (0.62 miles) from a 170-metre (558-foot) tower at Amwaj towers to a landing platform near Dubai Marina Mall.

You’ll ascend to the launch platform at Amwaj Towers, where staff fit you into a specialist harness. The zipline operates using a prone “Superman” position, where you lie face-down in the harness, maximising both speed and views. Once released, you accelerate to approximately 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph), completing the kilometre-long journey in roughly 60–90 seconds.

The experience deliberately contrasts vertical and horizontal: tall buildings create a canyon effect, while you zip through at their mid-height level. You’ll pass within metres of residential towers, cross above the Marina water channel, and watch boats and pedestrians from a perspective usually reserved for high-rise residents.

XLine Dubai Marina zipline in action

Practical details:

  • Address: Amwaj Towers, Dubai Marina, Dubai (launch platform)

  • Operating hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM on weekends)

  • Price: Single ride 699 AED (≈ 163 EUR / ≈ 190 USD) – as of October 2025

  • Booking: Online reservation recommended during peak season

  • Requirements: Minimum age 12, weight between 50–100kg, height above 130cm

Transport: Dubai Marina metro station (Red Line) sits approximately 10 minutes’ walk from launch site.

Did you know?

The XLine crosses Dubai Marina at the exact height where architectural transition occurs – below are traditional floor-by-floor towers; above, buildings begin incorporating unique crowns and distinctive rooflines that define Dubai's skyline.

Helicopter Tours

Aerial Dubai tour with views of the coastline

Helicopters offer Dubai’s most comprehensive aerial perspective, combining the thrill of flight with the practicality of covering substantial ground quickly. Several operators provide tours ranging from brief 12-minute flights to extended 40-minute journeys.

HeliDubai operates from multiple locations, with the primary departure point at Dubai Police Academy Heliport (Near Dubai Festival City, Dubai). Tours follow carefully planned routes that maximise landmark exposure while respecting Dubai’s airspace regulations.

The standard 17-minute tour covers core highlights: climbing over the Creek, sweeping along the coastline past Burj Al Arab, circling Palm Jumeirah to appreciate its full scale, and approaching Burj Khalifa before returning. Extended tours add the World Islands, Dubai Marina’s full length, and wider desert approaches.

Practical details:

  • Address: Dubai Police Academy Heliport, Near Dubai Festival City, Dubai

  • Operating hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (may extend during winter season)

  • Booking: Advance reservation required; 48-hour cancellation policy

  • Requirements: All ages welcome (children under 2 free if sitting on lap)

Transport: Taxis provide most practical access; limited public transport nearby.

Helicopter tour passing Atlantis The Palm resort

Tour options and pricing (vary by operator):

Duration

Route Coverage

Price

12 minutes

Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah

715 AED (≈ 167 EUR / ≈ 195 USD)

17 minutes

Above plus Burj Khalifa, The World

945-979AED (≈ 220 EUR / ≈ 257 USD)

22 minutes

Extended Marina, Old Dubai Creek

1,299 AED (≈ 303 EUR / ≈ 354 USD)

45 minutes

Comprehensive city and desert edges

11,463 AED (≈ 2678 EUR / ≈ 3121 USD)

Prices as of October 2025

Desert Safari: Adventures That Will Get Your Heart Racing

The desert surrounds Dubai on three sides, making it genuinely accessible for adventure activities. Desert safaris typically combine dune bashing in 4×4 vehicles, camel riding, and traditional cultural performances at Bedouin-style camps.

Dune Bashing

Dune bashing involves skilled drivers navigating 4×4 vehicles across the vast Arabian Desert, an environment known for its scenic beauty and adventurous spirit. These cars, often modified Toyota Land Cruisers or similar vehicles, have deflated tyres to increase traction on sand, climbing steep dune faces before plunging down the opposite side.

These excursions typically depart Dubai in late afternoon, reaching the Arabian Desert as temperatures begin moderating. The driving portion lasts 30–45 minutes, with most operators visiting the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or Al Lahbab desert area (Al Lahbab Desert, approximately 50km southeast of central Dubai).

The sensation differs completely from normal driving – your car tilts at angles that feel impossible, crests dunes where you’re briefly airborne, and slides sideways down slopes in controlled skids. Professional drivers read the desert’s terrain constantly, identifying stable sand from soft patches, choosing lines that maximise thrills while maintaining safety.

Desert safari dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles

Practical details:

  • Location: Various desert areas; Al Lahbab and Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve most common

  • Duration: 6–7 hours total (including transport, bashing, and camp activities)

  • Price: Standard package 250–400 AED (≈ 63–101 EUR / ≈ 68–109 USD) per person; premium options 600+ AED (≈ 152+ EUR / ≈ 164+ USD) – as of October 2025

  • Operating hours: Afternoon departures (typically 15:00–15:30 pickup)

  • Booking: Hotel pickup included with most packages

Important notes: If you’re prone to motion sickness, inform your driver who can moderate intensity. Sit in front seats for maximum visibility and reduced motion effects.

Off-road adventure across Dubai's sandy dunes

Sandboarding

Once your vehicle reaches suitable dunes, many excursions include sandboarding – essentially snowboarding translated to sand. Operators provide boards (similar to snowboards but with smoother bases) and brief instruction on stance and balance.

The experience works best on dunes with consistent slopes, typically 20–40 metres high. Sand provides more friction than snow, meaning speeds remain moderate even on steep sections. Falls hurt less than on snow, making sandboarding more forgiving for beginners.

Did you know?

Sand dunes in the Dubai region can reach temperatures of 70°C (158°F) at their surface during summer midday, but cool rapidly once the sun lowers. This is why all desert activities schedule for late afternoon and evening – the experience transforms from punishingly hot to pleasantly warm within an hour.

Sandboarding down desert dunes near Dubai

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Hot air ballooning over Dubai’s desert delivers the landscape from an entirely different perspective. You’ll float up to 1,200 metres (4,000 feet) above the dunes, watching sunrise illuminate the sand in shifting shades of gold and amber while the desert’s scale becomes genuinely apparent beneath you.

Flights begin early – pickup occurs between 03:00-05:00 depending on sunrise time. You’ll arrive at the launch site in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve before dawn, where the crew begins inflating the massive balloon envelope. Many operators welcome guests to help with preparation, offering insight into the technical process before flight.

Once airborne, the experience shifts entirely. The basket rises smoothly and silently, with only occasional bursts from the burner breaking the quiet. Flight duration averages 45-60 minutes, covering distance determined entirely by wind direction – the pilot controls altitude but not horizontal movement, meaning each flight follows a unique path across the desert.

From elevation, the desert reveals patterns invisible from ground level: the precise geometry of dune ridges, the darker vegetation clusters marking low-lying areas with moisture, and occasionally wildlife moving across open sand. On clear mornings, visibility extends to the Hajar Mountains bordering Oman.

Landing occurs wherever wind carries the balloon – the ground crew follows by vehicle and meets you at the touchdown point. After landing, most operators provide breakfast at a traditional Bedouin camp before returning you to Dubai.

The experience appeals particularly to photographers seeking golden-hour desert light and travellers wanting a peaceful contrast to Dubai’s more adrenaline-focused activities. Where dune bashing delivers intensity, ballooning offers tranquility – the same landscape experienced through entirely different sensory registers.

Hot air balloon floating above Dubai's desert at sunrise

Practical details:

  • Location: Launch sites in Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (pickup from Dubai hotels included)
  • Duration: Approximately 4 hours total (including transfers); 45-60 minutes flight time
  • Price: 850-1,100 AED (≈ 215-278 EUR / ≈ 232-300 USD) per person
  • Operating season: Year-round, subject to weather; best conditions October-April
  • Booking: Advance reservation essential; confirm 24-48 hours before as flights are weather-dependent
  • Requirements:
    • Minimum age 5 years
    • Maximum weight 119kg (262 lbs) per person
    • Reasonable mobility required (climbing in/out of basket, standing for flight duration)
    • Not suitable for pregnant guests or those with serious back/knee problems

Prices as of April 2025

What’s included: Hotel transfers, pre-flight refreshments, flight certificate signed by pilot, post-flight breakfast

What to wear: Comfortable, casual clothing with closed-toe shoes or boots; avoid high heels

Transport: All packages include round-trip hotel transfers

Did you know?

Balloon flights must launch at sunrise because desert thermals – rising columns of hot air – develop quickly once the sun heats the sand. These thermals create turbulence that makes ballooning uncomfortable and potentially unsafe, which is why all Dubai desert balloon flights occur at dawn.

Aerial adventure above the Arabian landscape

Record-Breaking Attractions You Have to Experience

At The Top, Burj Khalifa

Standing 828 metres (2,717 feet) tall with 163 floors above ground, the Burj Khalifa dominates Dubai’s skyline so completely that the city seems arranged around it. The building holds multiple records: world’s tallest structure, highest occupied floor, longest travel distance elevator, and highest outdoor observation deck.

Visitor experiences focus on two observation levels:

  • Level 124 & 125 (At The Top): Primary observation decks at 452 and 456 metres (1,483 and 1,496 feet)

  • Level 148 (At The Top SKY): Highest observation deck globally at 555 metres (1,821 feet)

The experience begins at The Dubai Mall’s lower ground floor, where you’ll collect tickets and enter a dedicated area explaining the building’s construction. High-speed elevators climb at 10 metres per second (33 feet per second), reaching Level 124 in roughly 60 seconds.

The observation deck wraps around the building’s exterior, with floor-to-ceiling glass providing 360-degree views. On clear days, visibility extends 80–100 kilometres (50–62 miles), revealing Dubai’s full extent and the desert beyond. This is a perfect spot to take stunning photos of the city and its impressive skyline.

Palm Jumeirah views from observation deck
Burj Khalifa towering above Downtown Dubai

Practical details:

  • Address: The Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Floor, Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai

  • Operating hours: Daily 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM (last entry 10:00 PM); extended to midnight on weekends

  • Prices (At The Top, Levels 124 & 125):

    • Off-peak (specific time slots): 159 AED (≈ 37 EUR / ≈ 43 USD)

    • Standard entry: 179 AED (≈ 42 EUR / ≈ 49 USD)

  • Prices (At The Top SKY, Level 148):

    • Standard: 399 AED (≈ 93 EUR / ≈ 109 USD)

  • Booking: Online advance purchase strongly recommended

All prices as of October 2025

Transport: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station (Red Line) connects directly via air-conditioned walkway.

Deep Dive Dubai

While the Burj Khalifa extends upward, Deep Dive Dubai extends downward – 60 metres (197 feet) down, creating the world’s deepest pool. The facility opened in 2021, transforming diving from an ocean activity to an urban experience.

The pool holds 14 million litres (3.7 million gallons) of fresh water, maintained at 30°C (86°F) year-round. Rather than empty depth, the facility creates an “abandoned sunken city” theme, with submerged environments including apartments, a library, a garage with cars, and game rooms – all explorable at various depths. As you dive, new areas and hidden details are discovered, adding a sense of adventure to the experience.

Experience options:

Discover Scuba Diving (no certification required):

  • 2-hour session including instruction and supervised dive

  • Maximum depth 12 metres (39 feet)

  • Price: 1,200 AED (≈ 280 EUR / ≈ 327 USD) – as of October 2025

Fun Dives (certified divers):

  • Guide-led exploration of themed areas

  • Price: 1,500 AED (≈ 350 EUR / ≈ 409 USD) per dive – as of October 2025

Freediving experiences (breath-hold diving):

  • Specialist training available

  • Depth progressions under instructor supervision

  • From 900 AED (≈ 210 EUR / ≈ 245 USD) – as of October 2025

Scuba diving in the world's deepest pool

Practical details:

  • Address: NAS Sports Complex, Al Jafiliya, Dubai

  • Operating hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (last sessions 7:00 PM)

  • Booking: Advance reservation required; limited daily capacity

  • Requirements: Medical questionnaire required; minimum age 10 (with parental supervision); basic swimming ability essential

Transport: ADCB metro station (Red Line) approximately 15 minutes’ walk; taxis provide most convenient access.

Ancient ruins theme with marine life
Dubai Aquarium tunnel at Dubai Mall

Water Adventures That Will Blow Your Mind

Of course all kinds of water activities can be done in Dubai. Apart from “the usual”, extraordnary water sports such as jet skiing and flyboarding are popular here. Let’s just cover the not-your-average advetnures here.

Shark Diving at Dubai Aquarium

The Dubai Aquarium, located within The Dubai Mall, houses one of the world’s largest suspended aquariums. The facility’s signature experience places you inside the main tank with sand tiger sharks, reef sharks, stingrays, and thousands of smaller fish.

The “Shark Dive” experience begins with registration at Dubai Aquarium, followed by equipment fitting and a comprehensive safety briefing. Even non-certified divers can participate through a Discover Scuba Diving programme condensed for the aquarium environment.

You’ll descend roughly 10 metres (33 feet) into the tank, spending approximately 30 minutes underwater. The aquarium’s sand tiger sharks – dramatic in appearance with protruding teeth but generally docile – cruise past within arm’s length.

Tunel with fishes and coral of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Walking through the underwater viewing tunnel

Practical details:

  • Address: The Dubai Mall, Ground Floor, Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai

  • Operating hours: Multiple daily sessions from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Price:

    • Certified divers: 790 AED (≈ 184 EUR / ≈ 215 USD)

    • Discover Scuba (non-certified): 1210 AED (≈ 283 EUR / ≈ 329 USD)

    • Cage snorkelling (non-diving alternative): 370 AED (≈ 86 EUR / ≈ 101 USD)

  • Booking: Advance reservation essential; limited daily capacity

  • Requirements: Minimum age 12 (certified) or 15 (Discover Scuba); medical questionnaire required

Prices as of October 2025

Transport: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station (Red Line) provides direct access.

Flyboarding adventure along Dubai's coastline

Flyboarding and Water Jetpacking

Flyboarding straps jet-powered boots to your feet, using water pressure to propel you up to 15 metres (49 feet) above the sea surface. The equipment connects via long hose to a personal watercraft (jet ski) that provides the water pressure. An operator controls the watercraft while you control your elevation and direction through body position and subtle movements.

The experience feels disorienting initially – your feet provide the thrust, requiring different balance instincts than normal standing. Most people require 5–10 minutes to achieve basic hovering, with 20–30 minutes to begin moving confidently. Falling is inevitable and part of the learning process; the warm Arabian Gulf waters make repeated splashdowns pleasant rather than punishing. But when you get the hang of it – there is nothing quite like soaring above water with the Dubai skyline in the background.

Water-powered jetpack adventure on the Gulf

Practical details:

  • Locations: JBR Beach, Sunset Beach, and Jumeirah Beach Hotel area

  • Operating hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (conditions permitting)

  • Price:

    • 30-minute session: 350–450 AED (≈ 82–105 EUR / ≈ 95–123 USD)

  • Booking: Advance reservation recommended during winter peak season

  • Requirements: Minimum age 16, reasonable swimming ability, weight under 100kg

Prices as of October 2025

Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Atlantis Aquaventure covers 17 hectares (42 acres) at Atlantis, The Palm resort, making it one of the Middle East’s largest waterparks. The facility divides into distinct zones, each offering different intensity levels, and featureing thrilling water rides.

Key adrenaline attractions:

Aquaconda: World’s largest waterslide tube, with six-person rafts racing through 210 metres (689 feet) of twisting translucent tunnel

Leap of Faith: Near-vertical 27.5-metre (90-foot) drop through a clear tube passing through a shark-filled lagoon

Poseidon’s Revenge: Capsule slide with trapdoor release mechanism creating stomach-dropping acceleration

The Surge: Body slide with trapdoor release creating instant acceleration

Odyssey of Terror: Twin slides racing through dark tunnels with special lighting effects

The excitement and rush of these rides will make you forget your everyday worries as you get fully immersed in the experience.

Floating through Aquaventure's water attractions

Practical details:

  • Address: Atlantis, The Palm, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

  • Operating hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended to 7:00 PM during peak season)

  • Price:

    • Day pass: 415 AED (≈ 97 EUR / ≈ 1113 USD) adults; 365 AED (≈ 85 EUR / ≈ 99 USD) children under 1.2m

    • Atlantis hotel guests: included with stay

  • Additional costs: Locker rental 65 AED, towel rental 45 AED

Prices as of October 2025

Transport: Monorail to Palm Gateway station, then taxi; alternatively, direct taxi from Dubai mainland.

Unique aerial dining setup above Dubai

Extraordinary Experiences: Dining in the Sky and Desert Nights

Dinner in the Sky

Dinner in the Sky suspends a dining platform 50 metres (164 feet) above ground level using a crane system. Twenty-two guests sit in secure seats around the platform’s perimeter, with chef, servers, and entertainment positioned at the centre.

The experience begins at Sky Dive Dubai where the crane equipment is permanently stationed. After safety briefing and secure fastening in your seat, the platform rises steadily to its full 50-metre (164-foot) height over approximately two minutes.

Once elevated, you’’ll experience a complete multi-course meal service – typically four courses, including starter, main course, and dessert – prepared and plated at the platform’s centre kitchen. Your view encompasses Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and the Arabian Gulf coastline.

Sessions last approximately 90 minutes total, with 60–75 minutes at elevated height. The platform rotates slowly, ensuring all guests experience multiple perspectives.

Experience authentic Arabic cuisine in a unique setting

Practical details:

  • Address: Sky Dive Dubai, Sky Dive Drop Zone Street, Dubai

  • Operating hours: Multiple daily sessions: lunch (1:00 PM), afternoon tea (4:00 PM), dinner (7:00 and 9:30 PM)

  • Price:

    • Lunch/afternoon tea: 699 AED (≈ 163 EUR / ≈ 190 USD)

    • Dinner: 699 AED (≈ 163 EUR / ≈ 190 USD)

  • Booking: Advance reservation essential (often books 2–4 weeks ahead during season)

  • Requirements: Minimum age 8, maximum weight per person 150kg (330 lbs)

  • Dress code: Smart casual; secure shoes (no loose heels or flip-flops)

Prices as of October 2025

Important notes: The experience operates only in suitable weather. The operator contacts guests if conditions require rescheduling.

Desert safari camp surrounded by dunes

Overnight Desert Camping

Some desert tour operators offer overnight camping under the stars along with a traditional Bedouin dinner. Spending a night in the Arabian Desert transforms your Dubai experience from urban thrills to something far more primal. The desert delivers profound silence, darkness so complete the Milky Way becomes genuinely visible, and temperature swings from 30°C (86°F) at sunset to 15-18°C (59-64°F) by pre-dawn.

Overnight experiences begin similarly to evening safaris – late afternoon departure, dune bashing, and sunset arrival at camp. What differs is staying after day visitors leave. You’ll sleep in traditional Bedouin-style tents or, weather permitting, under open sky on comfortable mattresses with blankets.

Evening includes traditional entertainment and multi-course Arabic dinner. After other visitors depart (around 10:00 PM), camps settle into quieter rhythms. Many operators offer late-night stargazing sessions with telescopes – the desert’s unpolluted darkness reveals constellations and planets impossible to see from cities.

Morning brings the desert’s most dramatic transformation. Sunrise transitions from deep indigo to blazing orange in approximately 20 minutes. You’ll wake to Arabic coffee and dates before breakfast, with departure typically by 8:00 – 9:00 AM.

Overnight desert camp with starlit Arabian skies

Practical details:

  • Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or Lahbab Desert, 50-60km (31-37 miles) from central Dubai

  • Duration: Approximately 18 hours (3:00 PM departure, return by 9:00 AM next morning)

  • Price range (standard camping): 475-750 AED (≈ 111-175 EUR / ≈ 129-204 USD)

  • Operating season: October-April only

  • Booking: Advance reservation recommended; 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season

  • Included: Hotel transfers, dune bashing, camel ride, entertainment, dinner, breakfast, sleeping arrangements

Prices as of October 2025

What to bring: Warm layers, closed-toe shoes, headlamp, camera for night sky photography

Transport: All programmes include round-trip hotel transfers.

Did you know?

Arabian red foxes often visit camps after dark searching for food scraps – providing unexpected wildlife encounters in the heart of the desert.

Indoor skiing experience in the desert city

Extreme Fun: Indoor Adventures

Dubai’s indoor attractions solve a particular problem: how to offer experiences impossible in a desert climate. Two facilities stand out for their sheer audacity – creating snow and simulating skydiving in a city where summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F).

Ski Dubai

Got enough of the heat? How about some cooler activities? Indoor skiing and snowboarding can be done at Ski Dubai, an indoor ski slope located in the Mall of the Emirates. Yes, you heard that right: Ski Dubai maintains a permanent winter environment inside Mall of the Emirates. The facility spans 22,500 square metres (242,000 square feet), containing five ski runs of varying difficulty, a 90-metre-high (295-foot) indoor mountain, and a Snow Park for non-skiers.

Temperature remains constant at -1 to -2°C (30-28°F) year-round. The main slope stretches 400 metres (1,312 feet) with a 60-metre (197-foot) vertical drop—sufficient for intermediate skiers while remaining manageable for beginners. A quad chairlift and tow lift provide uphill transport.

Beyond skiing, the Snow Park offers tobogganing, giant snowballs for climbing, and an ice cave. The facility also houses a colony of Gentoo and King penguins in a separate climate-controlled environment. Penguin encounters occur at scheduled times throughout the day.

Indoor skiing at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates

Practical details:

  • Address: Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha, Dubai

  • Opening hours: Sunday-Wednesday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Thursday-Saturday 10:00 AM – midnight

  • Price:

    • Slope Day Pass (2 hours): 240 AED (≈ 56 EUR / ≈ 65 USD)

    • Snow Park Full Day: 340 AED (≈ 79 EUR / ≈92 USD)

    • Full gear rental included in slope passes

  • Booking: Walk-in available but advance booking recommended during weekends and school holidays

  • Requirements: Minimum height 120cm (47 inches) for slopes; no skiing experience necessary (lessons available)

Prices as of October 2025

Transport: Metro to Mall of the Emirates Station (Red Line), direct connection to mall

What’s provided: All slope passes include jacket, trousers, boots, skis/snowboard, and helmets. You need only bring socks and gloves (or purchase at the facility).

iFLY Dubai indoor skydiving experience in action

iFLY Dubai

iFLY Dubai replicates the freefall sensation of skydiving without the aircraft, parachute, or 4,000-metre (13,123-foot) altitude. So if you are not quite ready to jump off a plane, this might be the thing for you. The facility uses a vertical wind tunnel generating wind speeds up to 270 kilometres per hour (168 mph)—sufficient to suspend humans in mid-air.

The wind tunnel measures 4.3 metres (14 feet) in diameter and 13.7 metres (45 feet) in height. Multiple fans beneath a mesh floor create the upward airflow, while the tunnel’s design maintains smooth, consistent wind patterns essential for controlled flight.

Your session begins with a 15-minute training session covering body position, hand signals, and basic movements. You’ll then receive a flight suit, helmet, goggles, and earplugs before entering the tunnel with your instructor.

Each “flight” lasts approximately 60 seconds—the equivalent freefall time of a skydive from 4,000 metres (13,123 feet). Most packages include two flights, allowing you to apply feedback from your first attempt. Instructors fly alongside you throughout, providing real-time adjustments to body position and helping you maintain stable flight.

The experience delivers genuine physical sensations: wind pressure against your body, the precise muscle adjustments required to control your position, and the peculiar sensation of floating without support beneath you.

Learning to skydive in controlled indoor conditions

Practical details:

  • Address: Mirdif City Centre, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Mirdif, Dubai

  • Opening hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

  • Price:

    • Basic package (2 flights): 299 AED (≈ 70 EUR / ≈ 82 USD)

    • Premium package (4 flights + high flight): 449 AED (≈ 105 EUR / ≈ 122 USD)

    • Family packages available (discounted rates for groups)

  • Booking: Advance reservation strongly recommended

  • Requirements:

    • Age: Minimum 3 years

    • Weight: Maximum 136kg (300 lbs)

    • Fitness: Moderate mobility required; not suitable for pregnant visitors or those with shoulder/back injuries

Prices as of October 2025

Transport: Taxi or private vehicle most practical; approximately 20 minutes from downtown Dubai

What’s provided: Flight suit, helmet, goggles, earplugs, and instructor guidance throughout experience

Did you know?

The wind tunnel technology at iFLY was originally developed for military and professional skydiving training. Many professional skydivers and BASE jumpers use similar tunnels to practice complex manoeuvres that would be dangerous to test during actual freefall.

Burj Al Arab bathed in golden sunset light

Planning Your Adventure in Dubai

Optimal Travel Timing

Dubai’s climate divides sharply into two seasons:

November–March (Winter/Peak Season):

  • Daytime temperatures 24–28°C (75–82°F)

  • Comfortable for all activities including desert experiences and extended outdoor time

  • Higher accommodation prices and larger crowds

  • Book activities well ahead

April–October (Summer/Low Season):

  • Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) (May–September peak)

  • Outdoor activities only practical early morning (before 9:00 AM) or evening (after 6:00 PM)

  • Significantly lower accommodation prices

  • Indoor attractions remain comfortable

Shoulder seasons (October, April) offer compromise: temperatures moderate from summer peaks but crowds remain lighter than winter.

Exploring the dunes: be prepared!

Packing Essentials

Universal essentials:

  • High SPF sunscreen (30+ minimum)

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Lightweight layers for air-conditioned spaces

Desert experiences:

  • Closed-toe shoes

  • Light long sleeves/trousers

  • Bandana or scarf for dust

Water activities:

  • Reef-safe sunscreen

  • Rashguard or swim shirt

  • Waterproof phone case

Palm Jumeirah with Atlantis hotel in the distance

Your Gateway to Thrills

Dubai rewards action-focused travellers with a concentration of adrenaline experiences you won’t find elsewhere. The city’s compact geography means you can skydive in the morning, dune bash in the afternoon, and dine suspended above the city by evening – all without spending hours in transit between experiences.

The key to maximising your Dubai adventure lies in thoughtful sequencing. Balance high-intensity days (desert safari with dune bashing, multiple water activities) with moderate recovery periods. Your body and mind need time to process these extraordinary experiences rather than rushing from one to the next.

Are you down with the crazy things to do in Dubai?

Your favourite playground: between urban cityscape and natural dunes

Dubai delivers on its promise of extraordinary experiences. From the moment you exit an aircraft at 4,000 metres to watching the city lights from 555 metres up the Burj Khalifa, this destination consistently provides thrills that justify the journey.

Your trip should focus on the experiences that genuinely excite you. Build your itinerary around activities that push your personal boundaries – whether that’s speed, height, or simply trying something you’ve never imagined doing before. These adventures will enrich your life and create lasting memories.

Safe travels, and may Dubai exceed your expectations!

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