Dubai out of the ordinary guide

Dubai is usually associated to high-rise buildings, shopping malls and luxurious hotels and restaurants. Most tour operators include in their packages excursions to the desert, a day at the amusement park or some other expensive activities. The risk is to be overwhelmed with offers and being unable to decide what is really worth doing and visiting. We have been living in Dubai for a decade and have seen this city grow and change.

We have planned the holidays of dozens of friends and family members and there are certainly many places we recommend. But for those that are looking for more exciting experiences, here’s our pick of the top 5 out of the ordinary things you can do in Dubai to take your trip to the next level.

Skydive on Palm Jumeirah

There is no better way to appreciate Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah island than from 4,000 meters above the ground. We decided to take this step (out of the plane) few months into our relationship to build some strong memories together and it’s still one of the craziest things we’ve done so far.

Skydive Dubai is located in Dubai Marina, and the small runway and drop zone stretch out into the sea between the beach and Palm Jumeirah. You need to book your skydive online based on their available timeslots, but keep in mind you are expected to arrive an hour before the launch for the mandatory introduction course. First you sign many contractual papers and then a professional skydiver will show you the tandem jumping routine and how to behave in case of emergency.

We started feeling scared when our instructors took us to the tiny plane and strapped us up. Andre got seriously anxious when they opened the door and the first tandem jumped out of the plane. They simply vanished in the blue.

But don’t worry, your tandem instructor is safely tied to you and they will take care of everything. Just follow their lead and enjoy the moment and the astonishing view of the palm and Dubai Marina. This is definitely one of the most adventurous things you can do while in Dubai.

Dolphin encounters at Atlantis

Our guests always like spending a day at Aquaventure in Atlantis the Palm hotel and it’s our favourite water park in the UAE. There are multiple rides suitable for all levels and ages, it is located in a uniquely styled hotel and offers many alternative activities you can add to make your experience memorable. If you don’t feel adventurous, you can visit the Lost Chambers Aquarium located inside the hotel which is designed to resemble the lost city of Atlantis.

Atlantis is also home to a group of dolphins and seals that you can meet by booking one of the many experiences available. We tried the dolphin encounter as a birthday gift for mum and even though the experience is great, we regretted experiencing these gentle and smart animals in an artificial environment. While Atlantis provides one of the most sophisticated dolphin habitats in the world, keep in mind it’s still an enclosure. 

The Dolphin Encounter package includes a 20 minutes introductory course and around 25 minutes interaction with a dolphin. You can pet it, play with it and receive some dolphin kisses. You can also swim or scuba dive with the dolphins depending on the package you choose. Prices aren’t cheap (200 euro circa), but the groups are small and it’s a unique experience for someone who can’t see them in their natural habitat.

Desert camping in Dubai

Most tour operators will propose you a half day desert safari. Usually they pick you up from your hotel or apartment at 3 pm and drive you to the desert. They will do some dune bashing and dinner in a desert camp with buffet food & drinks and a series of activities like belly dancers show, henna painting for the women and a shisha corner. It is a lovely activity, but it is usually packed with tourists depending on what company you go for.

A more exclusive alternative are the Bedouin camps where you can spend the night in a tent in the middle of the desert. We tried one in Ras Al Khaimah, one-hour drive from Dubai, and had a great experience. Sleeping under the starts in the absolute silence of the desert is something unique.  If you make the effort to wake up at sunrise, we promise you spectacular photos.

Alternatively, you can camp by your own in the desert. You don’t really need a 4×4 or any special skill. Locals usually park on the roadside and walk 100 meters inside the desert to set the camp. If you don’t want to get too far from Dubai, drive to Al Qudra, which is easy to find on Google Maps. Locals and residents alike love that place for a quick bbq or for a prolonged desert night.

Skiing in a mall

Dubai is also known for having the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. Located inside Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai has 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area, including chairlift, toboggan, zip-line, zorb balls and even a chalet where you can sip on hot chocolate half way through your downhill. The park maintains a temperature of -1 degree to 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year. It offers ski or snowboarding lessons for all levels, or if you’re not into winter sports, you can get a snow park access and have a snowball fight. If you didn’t bring you winter clothes, don’t worry: every package includes fully kitted winter attire or equipment rental (except gloves and hats, which are sold separately).

We both tried Ski Dubai when we first moved here and, although it won’t replace your Alpine ski resorts, the snow quality won’t disappoint even the most avid skiers. It is an interesting experience to hop onto the skis in between your shopping spree when temperatures outside are above 30 degrees. If you are in Mall of the Emirates, you can’t miss it, even if just for a photo from the huge glass windows.

Scuba diving at the Dubai mall

Dubai Mall is the largest in the world and home to some unique attraction, such as an indoor skating rink, a waterfall and even the largest suspended aquariums in the world. The Dubai Aquarium has a 10-million litre tank, with thousands of aquatic animals from over 140 species, and an underwater zoo. You can see the huge aquarium in the middle of the mall and even walk through it inside a glass tunnel. However, if you want to take your experience once step further, you can choose from of the many aquatic experiences, such as shark cage dives or snorkeling, feeding the animals, riding on a glass-bottom boat or even diving.

If you are a PADI diver, you can book a guided dive experience where you get the chance to come up close with the many fishes living in the aquarium, including the sharks. We did the Shark Dive experience for Mara’s birthday, who has a bit of a phobia since she saw Jaws as a young girl. Needless to say, coming within a meter of these ocean predators is not for the fainthearted. However, the experience is quite safe, as the sharks are used to people and they are well fed. Just don’t try to reach out to touch them.

After kitting up, we dove down in the aquarium following the guide on a predetermined path to not disturb the creatures. We also stopped on several points to be able to observe the fish – or wave to the onlooking shoppers from the other side of the glass. The whole experience took around 40 minutes (depending on how fast you consume your air tank).

Which of these would you like to try or have you tried before? Let us know in your comments.