New Year’s Eve 2026 Dhow Marina Cruise

The New Year’s Eve 2026 Dhow Marina Cruise takes you out on the water in Dubai for the last night of the year, aboard the Falcon Oasis Mega Dhow from Dubai Marina Harbour. Instead of watching the countdown from a packed promenade or rooftop, you spend roughly three hours sailing past the Marina towers with a gala buffet, live entertainment and an open deck view when the clock strikes twelve and 2027 begins.

The organisers describe the Falcon Oasis as one of the largest and most spacious dhows sailing out of the harbour, and for this sailing it is dressed for the occasion. It is a good choice if you want the spectacle of New Year’s Eve in Dubai without spending the whole night on your feet in a crowd.

How the night runs

The evening follows a clear timetable. Boarding opens at 9:45pm at Gate 1 of Dubai Marina Harbour, the dhow casts off at 10:30pm and it returns to the harbour at around 1:30am. That gives you about an hour and a half of cruising before midnight and another ninety minutes or so afterwards, so the countdown sits right in the middle of the trip rather than at the very end.

Guests are greeted with welcome drinks and a red-carpet entry before settling in on board. The organiser asks everyone to arrive 60 to 90 minutes before departure to allow time for security checks and boarding, which is worth building into your plans on a night when the Marina is at its busiest.

The gala buffet and drinks

Dinner is a five-star gala buffet that mixes international dishes with Arabic cuisine. Alongside the hot buffet there are live BBQ counters, fresh salads and a dessert spread, so it suits groups with different tastes and anyone who prefers to graze through the evening rather than sit down to a set menu.

Unlimited soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee are included for the whole cruise. Because the package is built around soft drinks, it works well for families and for guests who want a festive night out that is not centred on a bar.

Entertainment on board

The entertainment line-up blends mixed music with cultural performances, including a Tanoura dance show, with its spinning dancers and colourful skirts. Expect the mood to build steadily through the evening, from relaxed dinner music after departure to a lively deck as the countdown approaches.

At midnight, guests gather on deck for the countdown. From the water off Dubai Marina, the cruise offers views of fireworks lighting up the sky over Dubai Marina, Burj Al Arab and Atlantis, three of the city’s best-known New Year’s Eve backdrops seen from one vantage point.

What the package covers

• Welcome drinks and red-carpet entry
• Around three hours sailing on the Falcon Oasis Mega Dhow
• Gala buffet dinner with live BBQ counters, salads and desserts
• Unlimited soft drinks, juices, tea and coffee
• Mixed music, Tanoura dance and cultural performances
• Midnight countdown on deck with fireworks views

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included, nor is anything not listed above, so plan your own way to and from Dubai Marina Harbour.

Who it suits

The cruise is pitched at couples, families, groups of friends and corporate teams. Children are welcome, with the rule that under 7s must be accompanied by an adult. The recommended dress code is smart casual or festive attire, so this is a night to dress up a little without needing black tie.

One point to note before you book: tickets for this sailing cannot be cancelled or changed once purchased, so confirm your group’s numbers and plans first.

More New Year’s Eve ideas in Dubai

If you are still weighing up your options, browse our full list of New Year’s Eve events, compare this sailing with the New Year’s Eve Dhow Cruise on Deira Creek on the older side of the city, or look through more dinners and brunches. For the rest of the festive season, see our guides to things to do in December and things to do in Dubai.