How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Dubai?

From around AED 1,800 per hour for a skippered day boat, AED 4,500 per hour for a crewed Sunseeker 88, and AED 12,000 per hour for a 40-metre Benetti with full crew. Crew, fuel within range, refreshments and marina fees are normally included.

Where do yacht charters depart from in Dubai?

Dubai Harbour for the larger yachts and Dubai Marina for day boats, with Yas Marina for Abu Dhabi and Old Doha Port for Qatar.

What is the best time for a yacht charter in Dubai?

The 17:00 sunset departure between November and March. It catches the Palm and the Burj Al Arab in golden hour and returns under a lit skyline.

8 min read · Updated 2026

The Dubai yacht charter guide

Q: What is included in a Dubai yacht charter price?

Crew and captain, fuel for the agreed route, soft drinks and water, towels, safety equipment and marina fees. Catering, alcohol, water toys and overnight stays are quoted separately.

What a charter actually costs, what should already be in the rate, where you board, and the route almost every good Dubai charter follows.

What a Dubai charter costs

Pricing is by the hour for day boats and by the half or full day for larger yachts. A skippered classic like a Riva Aquariva runs from around AED 1,800 per hour with a two-hour minimum. A Sunseeker 88 with three crew is from around AED 4,500 per hour or AED 17,000 for a half day. A 40-metre Benetti with ten crew including a chef sits nearer AED 12,000 per hour and AED 60,000 for a half day.

Season matters. November to March is peak, weekends and the sunset slot book out first, and a fortnight's notice at that time of year is realistic for a specific yacht.

What should be included

Crew and captain, fuel within the agreed cruising range, soft drinks and water, towels, safety equipment and marina fees. Catering and chef service, alcohol, water toys, jet skis and overnight stays are normally quoted separately.

The two lines that cause arguments are fuel beyond the agreed range and overtime if you run late. Get both rates in writing before you board rather than discovering them at disembarkation.

Where you board

Dubai Harbour is the main superyacht base and sits minutes from the Palm. Dubai Marina berths the day boats and is the most convenient boarding point if you are staying in Marina or JBR. Abu Dhabi charters run from Yas Marina, and Qatar charters from Old Doha Port.

Parking can be arranged at the berth, and guests arriving by private aviation are usually driven straight from the terminal to the dock rather than through the marina entrance.

The standard route

Out past Ain Dubai and the Bluewaters frontage, along the Palm Jumeirah crescent, across to the Burj Al Arab, then a swim stop in the flat water inside the crescent breakwater before returning at dusk. Longer charters add the World Islands, Atlantis The Royal or a run up the coast.

The 17:00 departure is the most requested slot in the city because it puts the Palm and the Burj Al Arab in golden hour and brings you back under the skyline lit up.

Practical notes

Bring soft-soled shoes or plan to go barefoot, and swimwear if the itinerary has a stop. Drone use around the Palm and marinas is restricted — ask the captain rather than assuming. Guest numbers are capped by the yacht's certificate, typically nine on a day boat, eighteen cruising on an 88-footer and thirty on a 40-metre.