Group Yacht Rental in Dubai & Abu Dhabi: Fleet, Prices & Pay in 4
Big Panda Yachts runs private yacht charters in two emirates at once: Dubai, with departures from Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour, and Abu Dhabi, with departures from Yas Marina and selected berths around the capital. Every booking comes with a captain and crew, and the website lets you compare yachts by guest capacity and hourly price before you message the team.
If you are organising something for a group, whether that is ten friends or a company outing of eighty people, this guide walks through the fleet, the pricing logic, the occasions they cater for and the booking steps.
The Big Panda Yachts homepage, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi charters side by side
One company, two coastlines
Most charter operators focus on a single city. Big Panda Yachts keeps separate fleets and separate phone lines for each emirate, which is useful if your group is split between Dubai and Abu Dhabi or if you are visiting both during a trip.
- Dubai cruises pass landmarks such as Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai and Atlantis The Royal. Party routes on the site include Dubai Marina, JBR and Ain Dubai, an Atlantis photo route and a sunset skyline cruise.
- Abu Dhabi cruises cover the Corniche skyline, Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and the Louvre Abu Dhabi area, plus an island-hopping option where stops depend on sea conditions.
Abu Dhabi also has a few things you will not find on the Dubai side: overnight stays on a houseboat, New Year's Eve packages for 31 December, an F1 Grand Prix hub and a guide to corporate yacht events.
The fleet by group size
The quickest way to shortlist is to start from your guest count. The site lists yachts from 36 to 120 feet, and the Dubai yacht party page groups them neatly:
- Small groups (10 to 15 guests): 36 FT Oryx, 44 FT Luxury Majesty, 48 FT Gulf Craft and the 55 FT Majesty and Integrity.
- Medium groups (20 to 30 guests): 56 FT Majesty and the 82 FT Paradise, the one listed with a jacuzzi.
- Large groups (40 to 90 guests): 90 FT Bu Mubarak, 95 FT Venus and the 120 FT Lafet.
At the top end, the homepage features named superyachts such as the Riva Diva 82, Ferretti 780, Galeon 780 Crystal and Pershing 5X in Dubai, and the Pershing 62 and Mangosta in Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi you will also see houseboats, catamarans, a 60-guest party boat and a four-person self-drive boat.
How the prices work
Prices are per hour for the whole yacht, not per person, and most yachts have a two-hour minimum. A few need longer: the 48 FT Gulf Craft in Dubai and the Mangosta in Abu Dhabi both require four hours. Here is a sample of rates published on the site:
| Yacht | City | Guests | AED per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 FT Oryx | Dubai | 10 | 600 |
| 82 FT Paradise (jacuzzi) | Dubai | 30 | 1,100 |
| 120 FT Lafet | Dubai | 90 | 3,500 |
| Riva Diva 82 | Dubai | 16 | 8,999 |
| Panda One Premium Cruiser | Abu Dhabi | 8 | 450 |
| House Boat Luxury M1 | Abu Dhabi | 35 | 999 |
| Pershing 62 | Abu Dhabi | 14 | 3,999 |
Instalments: most listings carry a Tabby "Pay in 4" figure, and it is worth reading it correctly. The amount is a quarter of the minimum booking, not of one hour. The Riva Diva 82, for example, is AED 8,999 an hour with a two-hour minimum, so it shows four payments of about AED 4,500. WhatsApp booking messages also mention Tamara, so ask which provider applies to your yacht when you confirm.
Fleet listings show the hourly rate, guest limit and Tabby "Pay in 4" amount for each yacht
What is included and what you can add
Every charter includes a licensed captain and crew, safety equipment, shaded lounge seating and a music-ready sound system (connection options vary by yacht). On the Dubai party yachts, soft drinks, water, juices and ice are listed as standard. Alcohol is not provided or promoted on board.
Optional extras are arranged on request:
- Balloon and themed decor for birthdays and events
- Photographer or videographer
- Custom cake and dessert table
- Catering sized to your group
- Water sports such as jet skis, donut rides and banana boats, or a combined fishing trip on selected bookings
Occasions that suit a private charter
The site has a dedicated page for each type of trip in both cities, which makes planning easier:
- Birthdays: decor and cake packages, with themes such as an all-white yacht or a sunset glow party.
- Weddings and proposals: romantic cruises with calm-water routes and a focus on privacy.
- Corporate outings: charters for team gatherings, especially in Abu Dhabi.
- Fishing trips: rods and bait included in Dubai; deep-sea and reef fishing in Abu Dhabi.
- Water sports days: jet ski, flyboarding and towables.
Booking in your language
The website itself is available in English, Arabic, Russian, Italian, French and Chinese, and the support chat lists English, Arabic and Russian. That matters for mixed groups of residents and visitors, where the person paying is not always the person who reads English best.
- Pick the city and shortlist yachts by guest count on the Dubai or Abu Dhabi page.
- Send your date, guest number, preferred time slot and the style of trip (sunset, night or water sports) on WhatsApp, by phone or through the yacht's "Book Now" button.
- The team recommends a yacht and package and confirms the price.
- Pay in full or choose instalments, then arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for check-in in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, ID requirements follow marina rules and are sent with your confirmation.
Book early for weekends, sunset slots and peak dates such as New Year's Eve.
Occasion pages cover birthdays, yacht parties, weddings, fishing trips and water sports
Why groups pick Big Panda Yachts
The combination of both emirates under one team, a wide spread of sizes up to 90 guests, clear hourly pricing and instalment options shown on each listing is what sets this operator apart. You can also bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on most trips, which helps keep the cost of a large celebration under control.
FAQ
Do I need a boating licence?
No. A licensed captain and crew handle the yacht, and the Abu Dhabi FAQ confirms no licence or experience is needed. A self-drive boat is also listed in Abu Dhabi.
Can we swim during the cruise?
Swimming depends on weather, sea conditions and the captain's confirmation on the day.
What happens if the weather turns?
Trips can be rescheduled or the timing and route adjusted, depending on availability and marine restrictions. Contact the team as early as possible; terms vary by yacht and season.
Ready to plan your trip? Browse the fleet and message the team at bigpandayachts.com. If you are curious about the site itself, read how we built the Big Panda Yachts website, designed and developed by Zaki International.