Sailing is a mainstay sport in the UAE, and Dubai offers more than its share of great boating and sailing activities. The Arabian Gulf is a spectacular place to sail, with its turquoise waters and warm, sunny weather. While most craft are sleek and modern, the traditional dhows still sail around the coastline.
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Whether you’re a newbie to the sport or a seasoned yachtsman, there are plenty of clubs and marinas in Dubai to cater for all levels and tastes.
There are RYA (Royal Yacht Association) accredited sailing clubs that give lessons on learning to sail and rig your boat. They own a range of smaller boats that suit beginners and that are simple to control and rig. Some are equipped with jibs and spinnakers. For the beginners, they will usually just have a mainsail.
As per RYA guidelines, a maximum of six is allowed in each class. The instructors are fully qualified and experienced sailors, and usually multilingual. Classes are two days’ duration, with no age restriction. Buoyancy vests are mandatory, and provided.
The Dubai Offshore Sailing Club is one such RYA-accredited sailing club that offers lessons. Grown from humble origins in the 1970s, the DOSC is now one of the most popular and prestigious sailing clubs in the Dubai area. There is a long waiting list for these coveted memberships.
Regattas are often held. Some popular Dubai to Muscat races taking six days to complete.
Yachts have that air of opulence about them. There’s no better way to impress than to charter a luxury yacht or catamaran for the day. Yachts make prestigious settings for parties and corporate events. There’s nothing more memorable than watching dolphins gambol as the evening sun sets.
The beauty of sailing in Dubai is that whether you want to relax, explore, or race, a sailing club and a boat is waiting for you.
