Yacht Charter Experiences in Abu Dhabi: Islands, Fishing & More
Rent Yachts Abu Dhabi is a private yacht charter company based at Al Marina in Abu Dhabi, offering everything from two-hour skyline cruises to fishing trips, water sports and overnight houseboat stays. A captain and crew come with every booking, so no boating licence or sailing experience is needed, and the team answers on WhatsApp 24 hours a day in English, Arabic and Russian.
Rather than listing boats, this guide looks at the experiences you can build around a charter in the capital: which islands to head for, what each activity costs, and how to pick the right one.
The Rent Yachts Abu Dhabi homepage, with services and starting prices per hour.
Sea routes and islands worth the trip
Abu Dhabi is an island city ringed by smaller islands, mangroves and sheltered water, so the route matters as much as the yacht. The site describes four main cruises.
City skyline cruise
Leaving from Marina Mall, this route passes the Corniche and Emirates Palace. It is the classic pick for sunset photos and first-time visitors.
Island hopping
Departing Al Bateen, yachts head out to Lulu Island, Maya Island and Dolphin Island, with quieter water and time for a swim.
Yas Island cruise
From Yas Marina towards Yas Bay, with views across to Saadiyat Island and Reem Island.
Mangroves and open sea
Starting from Al Raha or Al Bandar, this route uses custom anchor points for swimming, away from the busier city waterfront.
Departure points include Yas Marina, Marina Mall, the Corniche, Al Bateen, Al Raha and Al Bandar. Final routes depend on weather, duration and marine conditions, and the captain checks the sea before every departure.
Experiences and starting prices
Charters are priced per hour for the whole yacht, with a two-hour minimum on standard trips. These are the starting rates shown on the site:
| Experience | Starting price (AED) |
|---|---|
| Yacht rental | From 400 per hour |
| Luxury yachts | From 450 per hour |
| Birthday yacht / yacht party | From 550 per hour |
| Wedding yacht | From 1,125 per hour |
| Fishing trips | From 375 per hour |
| Water sports | From 250 |
| New Year's Eve package | 10,999 |
Boats range from the Panda 1 Luxury Yacht for eight guests at AED 450 per hour to the Miss Kim House Boat for 30 guests at AED 1,999 per hour. The charter page lists 19 vessels in all, including speed boats, a catamaran, an Ocean Majesty party boat for up to 60 people and several houseboats, and selected yachts have a deck jacuzzi.
The fleet section, comparing yachts and houseboats by capacity and hourly rate.
Fishing: deep sea, inshore or after dark
Fishing trips are private, with rods, reels, bait, fuel, soft drinks and life jackets included, and you keep what you catch. Deep-sea trips go after kingfish, cobia, queenfish and trevally using trolling and jigging. Inshore trips near the islands are calmer and suit families and beginners, with hamour, snapper and barracuda among the usual catches. Night trips run on selected dates.
Minimum durations range from four to eight hours depending on the boat, with prices from AED 375 per hour on the Speed Boat Ocean. Fishing works year-round, though the site names October to March as the most comfortable and popular season.
Water sports on the side
Jet ski, jet car, banana boat and donut rides can be booked on their own or added to a charter. A short jet ski session starts from AED 250 and a full hour is AED 499, while banana boat rides start from AED 299 for up to six riders. Every rider gets a life jacket and a safety briefing, and banana rides are described as suitable for kids, teens and adults. Flyboarding is offered on selected yachts.
Occasions: birthdays, weddings and the Grand Prix
- Birthdays and parties: balloons, cake and decorations, with a DJ on request.
- Weddings and proposals: wedding cruises and romantic sunset proposals.
- Formula 1 weekend: private yacht hospitality packages for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- Overnight stays: sleep on board in equipped cabins with bathrooms. The company's blog quotes a private houseboat overnight stay at AED 1,700 per night.
Families are welcome as well. Children can join many yachts with adult supervision, and child-size life jackets are on board. Tell the team the number and ages of children before you confirm.
The fishing trips page, listing boats, minimum hours and what is included.
How to book a charter
- Message on WhatsApp at +971 56 671 9900, or call, with your date, group size and occasion.
- The team suggests a suitable yacht and add-ons, confirms the departure point and sends a quote.
- Pay by card online, with Tabby instalments at checkout, or with Tamara through a WhatsApp payment link. Bookings made a week or more ahead pay a 50% deposit, while bookings made a day or two before are paid in full.
- Bring an original Emirates ID or passport for every guest and arrive at the confirmed marina.
You may bring your own food and soft drinks, but alcohol is not allowed on board. Catering, a BBQ or a private chef can be added as extras.
What sets it apart
Few operators in the capital cover this many activities under one booking. A skyline cruise, an island swim, a fishing session and a jet ski run can all be arranged in the same WhatsApp chat, and the website is available in English, Arabic and Russian to match the crew. To see how all those service pages were organised, read how we built the Rent Yachts Abu Dhabi website.
FAQ
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht?
No. A licensed captain and crew are included with every booking, so you simply relax on board.
What happens if the weather turns?
The captain and operations team assess conditions before departure. If it is not safe to sail, options follow the booking and cancellation policy, which you should review before paying.
Can I book on the same day?
Same-day trips are possible when a boat is free, but booking a few days ahead is advised, and earlier for weekends and public holidays.
Whether it is a sunset loop past Emirates Palace or a full day chasing kingfish, message Rent Yachts Abu Dhabi with your date and they will suggest the right boat. The website was designed and built by Zaki International.