Houseboat & Fishing Trips in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: A Family Guide
For a family day out on the water, a houseboat or a private fishing trip is often an easier fit than a party yacht. One Tours books both: a long list of houseboats and four styles of fishing trip in Abu Dhabi, alongside private yachts in Dubai. Every booking is a private charter for your group, with a captain and crew, priced per boat rather than per person.
The One Tours homepage splits trips between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Why a houseboat works for families
One Tours describes its Abu Dhabi houseboats as floating villas with wide decks and comfortable seating, and the site calls them a good choice for families and big groups. Compared with a sleek yacht, a houseboat gives grandparents somewhere easy to sit, children room to move, and everyone shade and space in one place. Abu Dhabi's calm, clear water and its many islands, including the area around Saadiyat and the Corniche, suit this slower pace.
Choosing a houseboat by group size
All houseboats have a two-hour minimum and are priced per hour for the whole boat. A selection from the Abu Dhabi listings:
| Houseboat | Up to | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Houseboat | 15 guests | AED 500 |
| Ria Houseboat 1 | 15 guests | AED 615 |
| Haya Houseboat | 15 guests | AED 645 |
| Palm Houseboat | 36 guests | AED 999 |
| Lagoon Houseboat | 30 guests | AED 1,099 |
| One Houseboat | 45 guests | AED 1,295 |
| Crown Houseboat | 50 guests | AED 1,499 |
| San 1 Houseboat | 45 guests | AED 1,895 |
| Glass Houseboat | 30 guests | AED 1,999 |
A household of eight to twelve can comfortably take one of the 15-guest boats, starting at AED 1,000 for the two-hour minimum on the Villa Houseboat. For an extended family gathering or a school or community group, the 45 and 50-guest boats take everyone on one deck.
What is on board
The One Houseboat, based at Hidd Al Saadiyat, lists a licensed captain and crew, a sound system, and life jackets and safety equipment. The same inclusions apply on San 1. Swimming is possible when conditions allow, and the captain decides on swim stops on the day based on weather and location. If refreshments matter to you, confirm them when booking, since the listings do not set out a food menu.
Abu Dhabi houseboat listings on One Tours, each with guest limit and hourly price
Fishing trips in Abu Dhabi
Fishing is a good way to keep older children and teenagers busy, and none of the trips require your own gear: equipment is on board, and the site says the trips suit beginners as well as experienced anglers. Each trip is a private boat for up to seven guests.
| Trip | Duration | Price per boat |
|---|---|---|
| Island Hopping Fishing | 4 hours | AED 1,395 |
| Boat Fishing with Equipment | 4 hours | AED 1,495 |
| Deep Sea Fishing (open sea) | 4 hours | AED 1,595 |
| Boat Fishing with Breakfast | 6 hours | AED 2,195 |
Island hopping mixes fishing with stops among Abu Dhabi's islands, which keeps a younger crowd interested. The deep sea option heads into open water for those who want more of a challenge. The six-hour trip adds breakfast and, according to the listing, reaches better fishing spots, so it is the one to choose if you want a full morning on the water.
If your family is in Dubai
The Dubai side of One Tours focuses on private yachts rather than houseboats, from the Lulu 36 for ten guests at AED 499 an hour to the Grand 120 for up to 100. Trips usually leave Dubai Marina and pass JBR, Bluewaters Island with Ain Dubai, and the Atlantis side of Palm Jumeirah. Families celebrating a birthday can take a fixed two-hour package: AED 1,195 for a 36 ft yacht with up to 10 guests, AED 1,395 for a 44 ft with up to 12, or AED 1,895 for a 66 ft with up to 21. The Dubai FAQ notes that sunset is the most popular time, so evening slots should be booked early.
Fishing trip options on One Tours, from island hopping to a six-hour trip with breakfast
How to book a family boat trip
- Choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi on the site and open the houseboat, yacht or fishing listing you like.
- Pick a date, start time and number of hours, and enter your guest count.
- Pay by card online, or split the cost with Tabby (four interest-free payments); Tamara is arranged through WhatsApp.
- Alternatively, send your date and group size on WhatsApp to +971 56 671 9900 and the team will confirm availability.
- Arrive about 15 minutes before your start time with an original passport or Emirates ID for every guest, which is required to board.
What sets One Tours apart
The range is the main draw: the site lists 33 trips in Abu Dhabi and 38 in Dubai, and the houseboat list alone runs from AED 500 to AED 1,999 an hour, so families can match boat size to budget instead of paying for a party yacht they do not need. Prices are shown up front on each card with the two-hour minimum, and booking takes a few minutes. The site is available in English, Arabic and Russian.
FAQ
Do we need our own fishing equipment?
No. Fishing equipment is on board for every trip, along with the captain and crew.
Can we swim from the houseboat?
Swimming is possible when conditions allow. The captain decides on swim stops on the day, depending on the weather and location.
What do guests need to bring?
Every guest needs an original passport or Emirates ID to board, and you should arrive about 15 minutes early.
Whether it is a slow afternoon on a houseboat off Saadiyat or a morning of fishing among the islands, you can compare boats and book directly on One Tours. The booking site was designed and built by Zaki International, and you can read how we built the One Tours website.