The Mighty Dubai Desert

Published on 11 Jul 2025

There rarely are cities in the world that are blessed with both the beach and the desert. One of such rare cities is Dubai and it is rightly called the desert city. The sunburnt deserts and azure coastline are only a few hours away from each other. It simply means that the residents of Dubai and its tourists can sandboard in the evening or afternoon and surf in the morning. That is the kind of heterogeneity available in Dubai.

The Desert

There is a stunning and magnificent desert that surrounds Dubai. It is characterized by its captivating dunes and wide expanses of sand. When it comes to the desert, there are a plethora of things that visitors can opt for.

A desert safari: It is a fun idea to go on a desert safari with your family and friends. Until and unless you prefer driving on a rugged terrain, go ahead for a backseat and hold on tightly as an experienced and professional driver whips you around the sand dunes. There are edge and sheer drops which can knock out the breath from your lungs. You dip down on the sandy slopes and then bounce back again. You can also click some memorable pictures of your ride. Some spots have been specifically devoted to the sunset photos for the visitors. Safaris are usually held in three batches: morning, afternoon and evening. Evening safaris offer the best photographs and views whereas the morning safaris are perfect for sightseeing purposes. Evening Safaris offer dinner, traditional shisha pipe as well as belly dancing to the visitors. If you are lucky enough to get an overnight desert safari, you can sleep under the Arabian sky. There is also an al fresco dinner for the delight of the visitors. Another way to enjoy a desert safari is by booking a hot air balloon for you. With it, you will be able to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the sandy landscape.

Desert Safari

Quad biking: Big Red is the most famous sand dune in Dubai. You can ride a quad bike here and navigate the sandy landscape all by yourself. You can hire the bike for about half an hour. It is a must to wear a helmet while riding a quad bike. Follow the natural trails of the dunes and kick the sand in the face of your mates as you hurtle. Bounce on the most iconic patch in Dubai. Big Red (also locally called Al Hamar) is easy to spot along the Dubai-Hatta (E44) highway.

Sandboarding at Dubai Desert

Sandboarding: Adrenaline seekers, this is for you. Get a sand board for yourself and glide down the dunes just like you glide down the snow-capped slopes. You can also rent a sandboard at the Big Red. However, companies like Dream Explorer Dubai offer you a full sand boarding experience. Your trip mainly starts off with a desert safari in a Hummer. It ends with a strong and quick sandboarding session. You can learn all the necessary tips for making it down the dune slopes smoothly.

Camel ride at Dubai Desert

G-Wagon Safari: You can opt for a comfortable and luxurious ride to the desert in the Mercedes itself. There is a luxe tour operator by the name of Platinum Heritage. It offers desert safaris in Mercedes G-wagons. This is through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. You can spot Arabian oryx and some native wildlife here. Go ahead for a romantic dinner safari if you are with your soul mate. There is a six-course meal and sunset canapes for the entertainment of the visitors. The morning safari ends with Emirati breakfast and storytelling by a Bedouin.

Night stay in the desert

Night stay in the desert: Go ahead with camping in the desert at night. If it is not your thing, you can even book space for yourself in the Al Maha Desert Resort. It houses some luxurious villas with separate pools for each one of them. This place is entirely devoted to relaxation and you can find a number of engagements for yourself. Enjoy beverages while to take in the seamless views of natural oases.

The desert is an ideal touring and adventure spot. You can learn a lot about the natural environment and wildlife of the area. You can schedule a visit to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve which is dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of the desert. You can also book tours with the approved operators and enjoy the desert experience to the fullest.