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by Admin
In recent years, Dubai has garnered a lot of attention for its spectacular architecture, vibrant economy, and unique appeal to luxury travellers. It’s hard to believe that not too long ago, this innovative city was a small trading port. Today, it is a state-of-the-art maritime centre. It is not only the home base for yacht owners but also a world-class destination for marine enthusiasts.
Over the past decade, Dubai has strategically developed its amenities and services and has successfully created a thriving nautical ecosystem. For foreign-flagged craft, the introduction to the area begins with a seamless arrival experience.
Extensive Marina Infrastructure
Today, there are 22 marinas and more than 3,600 berths for boats, including many for superyachts, megayachts, and gigayachts.
To accommodate these vessels, an array of modern maintenance and repair facilities has opened, along with technical support, speciality marine stores, and, notably, marina-based health and wellness centres that cater to yacht guests and crews.
The warm weather and safe, tranquil seas, especially from October to April, provide extraordinarily pleasurable cruising conditions – all complemented by Dubai’s land-based attractions. The city is renowned for its scenic coastline, luxurious hotels, cultural fare, and award-winning restaurants. Cruise-in, dock-and-dine opportunities are a new trend. One can moor for a few hours and enjoy fine dining at a resort or hotel, a spa treatment, or the amenities of a beach club.
Premier Marinas in Dubai
Luxurious and well-equipped marinas abound in Dubai. Among the newest and most popular are the following:
- Dubai Harbour: Opened in 2020 with space for 700 vessels, it is in the heart of Dubai, with easy access to tourist attractions and encompassing cafés, shops, VIP lounges, and the Dubai Harbour Yacht Club.
- Nakheel Marinas Dubai Islands: Launched in 2023 along the city’s north coast, offering easy cruising to the open sea; it can accommodate 13 superyachts at a time.
- P & O Marinas: Luxurious and picturesque, it has a total of 1,200 wet berths and 600 dry berths and includes the well-known Mina Rashid, which can host a range of pleasure craft, plus superyachts between 25 and 160 metres.
- Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club: Located on the prestigious Jumeirah Bay Island, along a promenade that resembles a Mediterranean village, this superyacht anchorage includes berths for vessels from 10 to 40 metres as well as dock-and-dine services.
Other notable marinas include Bay Marina, Palm View Marina, and Nakheel Marinas on Palm Jumeirah.
Events and Attractions for Yacht Owners
Dubai’s busy winter season calendar is filled with international events that appeal to yacht owners and other high-end travellers. Some of the most famous sports tournaments here include:
- The Dubai Desert Classic,
- Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships,
- Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix,
- Emirates Dubai 7s rugby, and
- Dubai World Cup horse racing.
On the cultural front, there are events like Art Dubai, Dubai Watch Week, DIFC Art Nights, and World Art Dubai that attract a lot of visitors. Besides these, there are high-profile boat shows that showcase the latest in yacht design, technology, and luxury. The Dubai International Boat Show celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year. In November, the three-day Gulf Superyacht Summit 2024 will be held.
As Dubai has grown as a world-class yachting destination, the city has also focused on the sustainability of its rich marine environment through collaborations and green marina initiatives. It promotes responsible yachting and protects the ocean’s biodiversity. Ensuring the health of the seas is a crucial element in maintaining Dubai’s importance to the luxury yachting community now and for generations to come.
