17 Activities in Dubai for Thrill Seekers

Updated On: April 15, 2024 by   Dina Essawy

Dubai has some of the most exciting and thrilling activities in the world for adventure seekers. While the city is known for its luxury shopping malls and relaxation spots, it also has plenty of opportunities for thrill-seekers to get their adrenaline fix. Here are some of the best activities in Dubai that are available if you’re looking for an adventurous holiday.

Zip Lining through the Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina has some of the most iconic buildings in the city and it would certainly be an adventure to zip line at 170m in height at more than half a mile (800m) in length from one of them to the other with a fantastic backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. Going down the longest zip line in the world, Zipliners travel at speeds of up to 80km/hour from Amwaj Towers to Dubai Marina Mall, passing the famous twisted Cayan Tower surrounded by five-star yachts on the way.

Adults can make the journey for AED 650, while tickets for kids and family start at AED 499.

The rides are available from Thursday to Monday but are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To book your Zip Line ride, visit their website, and then head to the XLine booth at the Dubai Marina Mall (Level P), with your valid ID and your confirmation email.

You’re also provided with a camera to record your experience and share it with your friends and family.

Experience the Thrilling Rides at Wild Wadi Water Park

An amazing outdoor water park in Dubai, Wild Wadi Water Park is located in the area of Jumeirah, next to the Burj Al Arab.

Among the rides at the park are the Ring Rides, the Tantrum Alley & Burj Surj, the Jumeirah Sceirah which is the tallest and fastest free-fall water slide outside of North and South America, as well as the FlowRider rides, Wipeout and Riptide, surfing simulators that produce a realistic wave effect which allows riders to body-board, knee-board or surf, Breakers Bay which is the largest wave pool in the Middle East, Juha’s Journey, a 360 m (1,180 ft) long river which allows guests to relax and slowly float around the park, and many more.

Wild Wadi Water Park opens from Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00 and is closed on Mondays.

Entrance fees depend on the height of the visitor, so tickets for those who are 1.1 meters and above are AED 209, while below 1.1 meters only pay AED 159. Special rates are given to online booking where 1.1 meters and above pay AED 199, while below 1.1-meter pay AED 149.

Wild Wadi Water Park provides an action-packed atmosphere suitable for the whole family. It’s definitely an attraction you and your kids would not want to miss.

Skate Down the Slopes at Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates

One of the must-have experiences in Dubai is skiing at the Ski Dubai arena at Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

In the indoor arena, you’ll find an 85-meter-high indoor mountain with 5 slopes of varying steepness and difficulty, and a lift carries the skiers up the mountain.

The entire family can enjoy the 3,000-square-metre Snow Park play area where they can sled, climb towers, have snowball fights, and explore the ice cave. Ski Dubai also houses several penguins who are let out of their enclosures several times a day. You can also book a penguin encounter to interact directly with the adorable creatures.

To go on the slopes, there are a variety of ticket options. You can get the two-hour Slope Pass for AED 210 or a Full-Day Slope Pass for AED 310. Ski Dubai also offers the SkiFly Slope (AED 305) to explore the Snow Park and get a two-hour access to the Slope, as well as get two flights at the skydiving experience iFLY Dubai for free! Another option is to buy the Snow Plus Slope (AED 340) for unlimited access to the Snow Park rides and you can pick either a two-hour Slope, a 40-minute Penguin Encounter, or a Snow Bullet Ride or a skiing/snowboarding lesson. Finally, the Snow Premium Slope (AED 490) includes unlimited access to the Snow Park and all its rides, a 40-minute penguin encounter, and any Slope session or ski/snowboarding lessons you choose.

As for the Snow Park, you can buy the basic ticket for AED 190, for one-time access to the Ski Dubai Snow Park and as many times as you want, or the Snow Classic (AED  256) for unlimited access to snow park rides in addition to one ride on the Mountain Thriller and the Chairlift.

There are other tickets including the Ski-Fly Snow Classic which costs AED 305 and offers unlimited access to all the Snow Park rides, one Mountain Thriller ride and one Chairlift ride, as well as two flights at iFLY Dubai, and you can choose between two hours on the Slope, a Penguin Encounter for 40 minutes, a Snow Bullet Ride or a sixty-minute skiing/snowboarding lesson. The Snow Plus (AED 340) offers you either a slope session, a discovery lesson, a snow bullet ride, or a penguin encounter in addition to unlimited access to all snow park rides. Finally, the Snow Premium (AED 490) offers a 40-minute encounter with the penguins, a choice between a slope pass or a 60-minute snowboarding/ski discovery lesson, unlimited access to the snow park and rides, a locker, waterproof gloves, and a photo book, which explains why it is the most popular ticket option amongst visitors.

Finally, for a chance to meet the penguins, you can choose the Peng-Friend Encounter (AED 230) for a 40-minute encounter as you learn all about them. The Snow Plus – Penguin Encounter (AED 520) gets you a 75-minute slot to meet the penguins and a photo opportunity with them, as well as a complimentary hot chocolate drink. The Ultimate Peng-Friend (AED 890) gets you unlimited access to Snow Park rides, one go at the Chairlift and Mountian Thriller, and a 75-minute Peng Encounter. It also includes lockers, a hot chocolate drink, and a photo plus a souvenir. Finally, the Swimming with the Penguins (AED 1,390) is an all-encompassing package that includes all the above, as well as a 15-minute session to swim with the penguins.

Ski Dubai also offers lessons at the Ski School for amateurs who are still beginning to learn and pros who want to brush up on their skills. The lessons are led by a team of experienced professionals.

If you need a break or you’re waiting for family or friends to finish their sessions, then we recommend that you rest at one of the Ski Dubai cafés and restaurants, such as North 28, an Alps themed café, where you can sip some hot chocolate, or Avalanche Café, which is located halfway on the slope and lets you relax with good views. There is also the Ice Café where you can sample some delicious treats.

Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Voted the region’s No. 1 Water Park by TripAdvisor, Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark offers its visitors excitement and adventure in more ways than one with its 30 slides and attractions, as well as Dubai’s longest Lazy River, and afterwards, you can relax on its 500m private beach.

You can get the Aquaventure Day Pass for AED 169 for adults and AED 149 for children for full-day access to the waterpark or the One Day Super Pass for AED 189 for adults and AED 169 for children for access to the Park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.  The Park also offers annual passes for AED 799 for adults and AED 495 for children.

Motiongate Dubai

Motiongate Dubai is a Hollywood-inspired theme park with attractions based on DreamWorks Animation, Columbia Pictures, Lionsgate, and The Smurfs.

The park is divided into different areas, such as Studio Central which is themed around Hollywood with shopping and dining facilities, and Columbia Pictures with rides adopting Sony Pictures’ films, such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Hotel Transylvania, Ghostbusters, Zombieland, The Green Hornet, and more. There is also DreamWorks based on DreamWorks Animation franchises such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Trolls.

You’ll also find The Smurfs’ Village and Lionsgate which has two rides based on The Hunger Games and a stage show based on the Step Up film series.

The park’s opening hours vary. It opens every day at 11:00 am but closing times may change between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

The one-day tickets sell for AED 275, while the annual passes cost AED 395. The park also offers VIP annual passes at AED 995.

Dubai Autodrome

At the Dubai Autodrome, you’ll find the Kartdrome where you can find different karting experiences to get your heart pumping. Karting sessions cost AED 137 per 15 minutes on the Outdoor Circuit.

You can check the availabilities and reserve your session online.

Flying Cup

Have you ever tried dining in the sky? Head to The Beach at JBR for this unique experience of sampling some of the best food Dubai has to offer forty meters in the sky with 360 panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, Eye of Dubai, Blue Water Island, and much more.

All of this is available for only AED 120 for adults and AED 100 for children. It is also available for special events, such as birthdays, family events, and corporate events.

The venue is open daily from 3:00 to 10:00 pm.

Pavilion Dive Centre at Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Another great experience to be had in Dubai is to go diving at the Pavilion Diving Center at Jumeriah Beach Hotel where you can explore the deeper parts of the ocean and travel amongst fish, wonderful aquatic creatures, and even amazing shipwrecks.

The Pavilion Dive Centre offers snorkeling and scuba diving training for multiple skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or a professional.

The Center is open every day. From Friday to Monday, it opens from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and from Tuesday to Thursday, it opens from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Try Parkour

This art of quickly traversing challenging terrains by climbing or jumping, parkour has become increasingly popular over the past few years. Dubai has a dedicated parkour training facility that offers lessons led by expert professionals to whoever wants to learn regardless of their athletic background.

Skydive Dubai

One of the most well-known activities in Dubai is skydiving. This thrilling experience is offered by Skydive Dubai for anyone across the UAE or visiting from abroad to cross this adrenaline-fueled experience from their bucket list.

Skydive Dubai operates at two drop zones: The Palm DZ, within the emirate, and the desert about 35 km outside the city. We recommend choosing the main drop zone at the Palm in order to enjoy the spectacular view of the iconic Palm Jumeirah island and have it as your backdrop as you skydive from an altitude up to 13,000 ft.

For this activity, prices vary according to your chosen drop zone and whether you have an instructor with you.

At the Palm drop zone, for a Tandem skydive with an instructor, the cost is AED 1,899, and if you want to have a video and photos to remember this thrilling experience, then it will be AED 2,199.

For experienced skydivers, the cost is AED 140, if you jump from the full altitude at 13,000ft, and AED 110, if you jump from 5,000ft.

However, if you choose the desert drop zone, then the tandem skydive with an instructor costs AED 1,499, and with a video and photos, it costs AED 1,699. For experienced skydivers, a single jump ticket is AED 120 only.

Flyboarding and Jetboarding

One of the most thrilling experiences to be had in Dubai is to go jet boarding or flyboarding across the waters of the gulf. Water sports have become increasingly popular in Dubai and now many different experiences and offers are available for everyone to enjoy.

You can head to several locations around the city to try out these opportunities, including Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, One & Only Royal Mirage, One & Only The Palm, Dukes The Palm Royal Hideaway Hotel, Royal Central Hotel The Palm, Andaz Dubai The Palm by Hyatt, and C- Central Resort the Palm.

At all these locations you can try flyboarding for AED 250 (15-min sessions) or jetpacking for the same price. You can also try hoverboarding or the jetovator, kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, waterbikes, standup paddleboarding, and windsurfing.

Go on a Safari

You cannot visit Dubai without exploring the large expanse of desert dunes that rise as high as 330ft in a 4×4 driven by experts. Usually, the trip ends at a Bedouin-style camp, where guests are introduced to henna hand painting, falconry, camel rides, sandboarding, belly dancing, and a feast of local cuisine.

A lot of companies in the city offer a variety of trips, whether groups or private, evening and night as well so you can go stargazing.

Become a Human Catapult

Another experience you’d surely have a hard time finding elsewhere, is the XDubai Slingshot, a catapult-type device that hurls brave tourists towards the sea from a huge Y-shaped frame set on Kite Beach. Secured in a harness, you are pulled back, then propelled forward 400ft over sand and water at speeds of more than 60mph before springing safely back to shore.

This thrilling and fun experience is offered at AED280 per person.

Paddleboard around Burj Al Arab

For activities that are a little relaxed, try gliding around Burj Al Arab on a stand-up paddleboard, and appreciate this amazing feat of architecture from a brand new angle. You go through training and are provided with life jackets as well.

You can go paddleboarding around Burj Al Arab for AED400 per person.

Hot Air Ballooning

To get the full experience of seeing Dubai from above, try hot air ballooning to grasp the beauty of the city and the desert in one trip.

The trip usually lasts for one whole hour with a buffet breakfast provided at a traditional Bedouin camp once you land. There’s another feature that makes the hot air balloon experience in Dubai unique – a falcon! During hot air balloon rides, a falconer will usually be present to provide a falcon show during your ride.

The hot air balloon rides are conducted from 4:00 am to 5:00 am, so you can catch the best view of the sunrise as well.

Indoor Skydiving

If you’ve always wanted to go skydiving but can’t bring yourself to make that leap, there’s just the solution for you. Indoor skydiving is an activity that is gaining popularity in Dubai. You enter a wind tunnel that pushes air at a rate as fast as 200km per hour, lifting you off the ground for a thrilling experience, defying gravity.

Pay a visit to the iFly Center from Sunday to Thursday, from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm), and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.

For first-timers, the packages offered cost AED 149 for a two-minute flight or AED 280 for four minutes. For AED 350, you can have a flying session using VR technology as well.

If you’re an experienced flyer, you can get up to one hour in the tunnel for AED 1750, or AED 2000 with coaching, or AED 2250 with advanced coaching.

Break out from an Escape Room

Escape rooms are a great way to practice your skills of escaping dangerous situations while having fun with your friends. A lot of facilities around Dubai have several escape rooms with different themes.

Phobia offers tickets at AED 115 (per person) and is open daily from 11:00 am until midnight.

Escape Reality is AED 100 (per player) and is open from Sunday to Wednesday, 12:00 noon to 10:30 pm; and Thursday to Saturday, 12:00 noon to midnight.

No Way Out is AED 290 (per game) and is open from Sunday to Wednesday, 12:00 noon to 11:00 pm; Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am.

In short, Dubai offers a multitude of activities, outings, and activities for thrill-seekers and adventure lovers of all age groups. Be sure to look thoroughly through our list of the best activities in Dubai and choose the ones you would enjoy the most while you’re there.