Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to travel.

It’s bold enough for a Branson, cocky enough for a King Khan, audacious enough for any Armani, mesmerising enough for a Madonna…and it’s where you can call out to life and say: “Hey, Dubai, supersize me!” 

This exceptional Emirate has the sass (and the means) to indulge every conceivable architectural and sensational experience that’s one-of-a-kind-first-ever, fastest, deepest, highest, longest, mind-boggling-est…you get the point! All packed into a relatively tiny area within the 7 Emirates that make up the UAE. Every inch here, on land, air, and sea, is designed to engage and heighten your senses and no wonder, it’s the world’s playground for celebrities.

But we urge you to head out and make the most of the sun. Dine in the sky. Dive from the sky. Dive in the sea. Camp in the desert. Hike in the hills. Drive over dunes. It’s a breathtaking 3D, 360-degree panoramic dream – spinning out the glamourous, thrilling, crazy, dizzying fun – all ready to pack and take back, a lifetime of stunning memories. 

Up in the skies

Belt up and dine at Dinner in the Sky 

Quite literally, a place to hang out, but not to be taken lightly! Test your head for heights and taste for gourmet cuisine, as you hang suspended by a crane, 50 metres over Dubai’s heady skyline. One of the most unusual dining experiences you’ll have, if you can stomach it, so fasten your seat belts and dig in! When your nerves have settled, take in the gorgeous Gulf views, and prepare to dine. Choose from servings of a 3-course lunch, dinner and or afternoon tea platters. It’s heady enough, so they won’t be serving alcohol. The food is delectable and impressive – menus prepared and presented by Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Westin Dubai. Quite the place for a unique celebration, marriage proposal, or an Instagram-worthy post.

Location: Al Sufouh, Sky Dive Dubai

Contact: +971 58 819 3296, +971 2 650 8808

Website: https://dinnerinthesky.ae/

The whews while you go skydiving

If you are considering a skydive anywhere, save it for here, where the view from 13000 ft high above The Palms (the upscale property on the sea in the shape of the middle east’s iconic tree) – is breathtaking! The fronds of the Palms make for a stunning spread that reflect your outstretched hands, as videos capture your exhilarated (or terrified) expressions!

Location: Al Seyahi St – Dubai Marina – Dubai

Contact: +971 4 377 8888

Website: https://www.skydivedubai.ae/

More info: Tandem drives from AED 1600

Paragliding

What a rush of wind and adrenaline as you soar through the air like a falcon, UAE’s national bird, observing humanity from on high. A snapshot in your mind worth a thousand jumps. It’s the freest feeling in the world, so you won’t be surprised when you are back on terra firma, wishing for more of the spectacular views from above.

Contact: +971 50 436 6029

Website: https://paragliding.ae/

More info: Starts from AED 1,100 (via Middle East Experience)

Shoot off with Slingshot

XDubai Slingshot gets you on an adrenaline high like no other. Speeding up to 100kms/hr over Kite Beach, with a force of 4Gs, 4 miles high in the sky, it’s heady stuff, to say the least! Designed for single riders, the Slingshot is the newest addition to XDubai’s collection of extraordinary experiences.

Location: Visit the XDubai Slingshot Booth on Kite Beach

Contact: +971 50 513 9782

Zip through the world’s fastest  XLINE

Fancy getting on the longest (urban) zip line on the globe? The XLine is perhaps one of the steepest and fastest zip lines ever. Now this one has multiple lines, which means that the whole family or friends can shriek along together, delighting in the fantastic views. Hang tight though, it flies at up to 80km/hour and takes you from 170m down to ground level.

Location: Dubai Marina Mall

Contact: +971 56 507 6366

Website: http://xline.xdubai.com/

Down in the dunes

Glamping at The Starlight Camp UAE

Glamping here is as romantic as anything can get. It’s a secluded location, only the hosting company will let you know when you book! Spend the night out cuddled in bed, looking through a crystal roof at the skies bursting with stars or sitting outdoors by a warm bonfire. Divine luxury unfolds here – a stylish lounge to sit back and relax, a BBQ party, a snack at the food and beverage trailer, an outdoor camp-style shower, and other creature comforts in the desert to enjoy. And get up close with nature, stargaze, go on nature walks, spot oryx, camels, and gazelles that dot the landscape.

Location: The Starlight Camp UAE

Contact:  +971 50 345 53 58

Website: [email protected]

Luxury trailers at the Sedr Trailers Resort

Fancy getting on the longest (urban) zip line on the globe? The XLine is perhaps one of the steepest and fastest zip lines ever. Now this one has multiple lines, which means that the whole family or friends can shriek along together, delighting in the fantastic views. Hang tight though, it flies at up to 80km/hour and takes you from 170m down to ground level.

Location: Sedr Trailers Resort

Contact: +971 800 637 227

Website: https://www.visithatta.com/en/stay/sedr-trailers-resort

More info: Starts from AED 698 a night

Sandboarding and dune bashing

Ever tried it? Dubai’s dunes with their pristine sands aren’t what you may have much of, back home. So get into the spirit of it, try some flips, they make for some Instagram worthy takes! No, you don’t have to be an expert, just follow the instructions. Then get in the spirit of adventure inside a 4*4 and offer up your camera to your guide, who will click your various expressions of delight or horror as you plunge and ride up and down the dunes.

Unravel tip: Deserts are for extremes; warm turns cold and causes dehydration too. You can quickly become uncomfortable so drink 4-5 litres of water a day, at the least. And for the freezing nights take along or order extra blankets/wraps.

Contact: +971 56 404 7111

More info: From AED 70 per person via Oscar Knight Tours

Deep in the sea

For starters, get to Al Boom Diving

If you are itching to dive but are daunted by the attempt, get some sound advice and learning from Al Boom, who have handled clients since 1995. You will gain the confidence to enjoy the deep, with courses suitable for you, and in the process, experience wonderful sea-life of course. The locations vary, and prices too. But worth a check-in here, first.

Location: Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai

Contact: +971 4 342 2993

Website: Al Boom Diving

Dive deep at Sheikh Mohammed’s Barge

The monarch of Dubai has his royal seal of approval on this dive site, lending his name to it. A huge supply vessel to oil rigs, which was deliberately sunk in 1984, lies about 24 metres deep and 30 nautical miles out to sea. This huge wreck site has created an artificial reef, rich with marine life that attracts moray eels, rays, turtles and more. There are also some very rare species like sunfish. Most of the good diving in this area requires an advanced PADI course. The course trains divers to go to depths of 40 metres. So if you have the time to train, this could be a great site to explore as you learn.

Contact: +971 800 3483

More info: From AED 375 with Divers Down

Advance deeper at the Zainab Wreck

Have what it takes to go deeper, longer? The Zainab wreck needs you to be an advanced diver to plumb the depths. What you will be rewarded with, is being surrounded by yellowtail barracuda. Picture that!

Unravel tip: With a keen eye on protecting and preserving the planet’s coral reefs, you’ll do everyone a favour when you bag up your drinks and detritus, and safely dispose of them at designated places, for recycling.

Contact: +971 800 3483

More info: Starts from AED 375 with Divers Down