Dubai has a phenomenal skyline, with towering skyscrapers and unique buildings dotting it. Everyone who flies to Dubai is mesmerized by the sky view of the city before touchdown. While driving around Dubai to checkout its architecture is great, there is something about viewing it from high up. No, we are not talking about observation decks, and Dubai has plenty of them that give you an amazing view of the entire place. Here we are talking about air tours, which are a bit more thrilling. Dubai offers different types of air tours, some leisurely and some adventurous. Here we talk about the best Dubai air tours you can enjoy.
Helicopter Ride
Image Credit: helidubai.com
If you are looking for a unique way of sightseeing in Dubai, the helicopter tour is the one for you. The helicopter tour would take you above the city and give you the chance to see some of its most important landmarks up-close. As the helicopter ascends in the air, you will be able to see the vast expanse of the city. During the helicopter ride Dubai, you can see Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Islands, and the other modern attractions. The historical locations like Dubai Creek and the Al Fahidi Neighborhood are also covered in this tour.
Skydiving
Skydiving is for those who want to enjoy an aerial experience tinged with thrill and adventure. It is one of the best and the most popular extreme adventures you can enjoy in Dubai. Skydiving in Dubai is offered by SkyDive Dubai. If you have never tried this sport, you can go tandem skydiving, where you dive from the airplane along with a professional diver. As you jump from the flight some 4000 feet above the ground, you get to see the aerial view of the city along with an incredible view of Palm Jumeirah, the artificial palm island. Alternatively, you can choose to sky dive in the desert with the Skydive Dubai tickets.
Hor Air Balloon Riding
The hot air balloon ride in Dubai would take you away from the packed city to its open deserts. This activity happens early in the morning, when it is still dark outside. Once you reach the desert, you get to watch how the hot air balloon is lit. The hot air balloon Dubai ride is timed in the way that you get to enjoy a breathtaking sunrise in the desert. During your one-hour ride, you will be able to see the vast golden desert dunes that truly make a beautiful landscape. If you are lucky, you may also get the chance to see the gazelles grazing in the desert and may also see some other desert animals and birds. Some hot air balloon rides also include desert adventures, and a hearty Emirati breakfast served with delicious coffee.
Parasailing
Dubai is not a stranger to water sports. One water sport that combines adventure with air tour is parasailing. Here, you are attached to a parachute-like sail that is connected to a speed boat with a harness. As the boat catches speed, you are lifted into the air. As the boat rides towards the shore, you get to enjoy the sprawling skyline of Dubai and the wind on your face. There are several places where you can enjoy parasailing, but JBR and Dubai Marina are the best. You can try parasailing solo or with a partner. Sometimes even three people can enjoy this water sport together.
Seaplane Ride
Another air tour that is like a helicopter ride in Dubai is the seaplane tour. But what makes it different from a helicopter is that it takes off and lands on water. As the seaplane takes off from the Arabian Sea, you get to see the gorgeous view of the sea followed by the incredible manmade attractions of the city. Most seaplane tours include the major attractions of Dubai, including The Palm Jumeirah, The World Island, Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and more. While some seaplane tours take 25 minutes, you can also opt for ones that last for 40 minutes. The best thing about seaplanes is that each guest would get their own window seat to enjoy the view.
Ziplining
Although this is not exactly an air tour, it does give you the chance to fly over the city and enjoy its aerial view. XLine Dubai offers ziplining activity in Dubai Marina. Measuring 1 km, this is the longest urban zipline in the world. The ziplining ride begins at the top of Amwaj Towers, at the height of 170 meters. Once you are equipped with the safety harness, you speed up through the zipline at the speed of 80 km/hour to reach Dubai Marina Mall. While the speed is thrilling, you also get to see a bird’s eye view of Dubai Marina, including its tall structures and waterways.
Gyrocopter
The gyrocopter ride is the air tour for those who want to see the aerial view of the city but are not a fan of heights that go beyond 3000 feet. The gyrocopter is an open two-seater aircraft that flies at a height of 1500 feet. The pilot sits in the front, while you take the single seat behind. Just like a helicopter ride, you will be taken over all the crucial landmarks of the city, including Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, Ain Dubai, Hotel Atlantis, and more. The flight duration for the gyrocopter ride is 20 minutes, and you will also get photos and videos of your ride.
The Dubai Balloon Ride
The Dubai Balloon Ride is unlike the other air tours in Dubai. Opened in 2024, the Dubai Balloon is a tethered helium balloon at Hotel Atlantis’ Aquaventure Water Park. This large balloon takes you 300 meters above the ground and the tour lasts for 10 minutes. During the tour, you do not float around the city. Rather, you are tethered above the ground, which gives you the chance to see the area around you. The vantage point from above gives you a great view of Palm Jumeirah, the palm island, including all its fronds. Moreover, on a good day, you will also get a clear view of Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dubai Air Tours
1. Is there an age limit for helicopter rides in Dubai?
There are no age limits for helicopter rides, although it is better to not take too young children for these flights, especially infants.
2. Do I need to book air tours in advance?
Yes, it is necessary to book air tours in advance. Air tours in Dubai are quite popular. Hence, you need to book in advance if you want to get a slot of your preference.
3. What is the best time to go for an air tour in Dubai?
Early mornings are best for seaplane tours and hot air balloon rides as the winds are calm during this time of the day. On the other hand, sunset is the best time for helicopter tours, as you will get to catch the golden hour.
4. What is the right attire for air tours?
It is important to wear comfortable clothes when you go on air tours. While regular clothes are fine for hot air balloon and helicopter rides, you must wear athletic clothes and shoes for skydiving. Do not wear loose accessories when you go on an air tour for safety purposes.
5. Are there any restrictions for skydiving?
You have to be 18 years and above to go skydiving. Apart from the age factor, you need to fulfill certain fitness and weight restrictions to enjoy this aerial adventure.
Conclusion
The best way to enjoy one or all of these air adventures is to book good Dubai air tours packages. There are plenty available online, but it is crucial to research well and choose one that fits perfectly for your requirements and expectations.
