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A Middle East yacht charter promises an Aladdin’s cave of riches for the discerning charterer — a billionaire’s playground of gold souks and Lamborghini’s and futuristic cities that appear like desert mirages. In the Arabian Gulf, opulence meets adventure in a landscape of searing beauty.
Dock your yacht under skyscrapers and explore thrilling cities where human engineering is pushed to its limits, shopping is an art form, and celebrity chefs vie for dominance. Outside the cities, clear turquoise seas lap at desert sands. On a Middle East yacht charter, drop anchor in the moonscape fjords of Oman, cruise the Bahrain archipelago, and bathe in the glimmering blue-green pools of a desert oasis.
Whether you’re careening down giant sand dunes in a monster truck, playing golf among the date palms, or watching the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from your yacht, there is adventure at every turn on an Arabian Gulf charter. There’s no better way to explore the region than on a Middle East superyacht charter. Here are some of the top destinations in your Arabian Gulf yacht itinerary.
Many Arabian Gulf charters begin in Dubai, where the vast Dubai Harbour is home to Bay Marina, one of the world’s most impressive superyacht marinas.
Take a scenic helicopter or hot air balloon trip above the city so you can appreciate its marvels from above — the iconic Palm Jumeriah, set out in the shape of a palm, the Burj Kalifa- the world’s tallest building, and the Burj al Arab, curved like a sail. Far below, the turquoise waters of the Gulf lap at perfect beaches, and on the other side of the city, the reddish sands of the Arabian desert roll away to the horizon.
Back on ground level, it’s time to explore and indulge. Hit the gold souk, explore the spice markets, or hit one of Dubai’s three most dazzling malls, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and City Walk. Feel like some activity? Ski at the world’s largest indoor ski slope, drive a supercar, play golf at the Emirates Golf Club, or go to the camel races.
After a day of exploration, relax in one of the world’s most sumptuously jaw-dropping spas- the Talise Spa, the One & Only Royal Mirage, or the Talise Ottoman. At dusk, take a tender ride up Dubai canal to admire the city in all its splendour.
When it comes time to dine, Dubai raises the stakes yet again, with a cornucopia of celebrity chef restaurants. Dine in an aquarium at Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara, dine on lagoon pavilions at Euzone at One & Only, out on a pier at Pierchic, or reacquaint yourself with the icons at Nobu Dubai or Buddha Bar Dubai. The most exclusive table of all? Private dine on the helipad atop the Burj al Arab if you want the ultimate bragging rights, or keep things romantic with a private dinner opera performance in the desert.
As for nightclubs? As with all things, Dubai goes extra on the nightlife. At the opulent Cavalli Club, you’ll be served your drinks by a robot called Toni, Soho Garden is an after-dark imagining of a London rooftop, and you’ll need your platinum VIP status to get a table at The Secret Room. Want to go large? White Dubai, Drai’s Dubai and Base Dubai have all the super-club bases covered.
In Dubai, the scope of mankind’s achievements dominates the skyline. But in Oman, it is mighty nature doing all the talking. Tectonic plates have buckled the earth into rugged escarpments and mountain ranges that tower over the coast, dwarfing the white cube villages that line the shore. Take a journey into the interior to swim in emerald green oases, ride a camel train, and drink mint tea in Bedouin tents.
When you’ve had your fill of the desert, rejoin the yacht and cruise into the Musandam Peninsula. Sail up flooded valleys, only the dramatic peaks of mountains poking above the crystal turquoise water. These desert fjords are almost shockingly arid, but dramatically beautiful. You will almost always be the only boat around, and a profound, heavy peace hangs over the ancient landscape.
Drop anchor in empty coves, explore deserted beaches, and swim with dugong and dolphins. There are a few small fishing villages, their purple and blue minarets the only flash of colour in the rough-hewn landscape —except for the cerulean-painted fishing boats bobbing on the blue-green sea. At night, dine in the desert silence under a carpet of stars.
Oman feels very different from Dubai, largely eschewing the ‘bling’ for its rich and proud culture. It is a wonderful contrast to experience as you cruise through the Arabian Gulf and onto Abu Dhabi.
In November, the scream of F1 supercars rises up over the city of Abu Dhabi, above soaring skyscrapers and mosques. Superyachts come from all over the world to see the Formula One, docking in Yas Marina to watch the race from the deck.
Yet there is so much more to see than supercars in the glittering capital of the United Arab Emirates. Sitting on its own island just off the coast, Abu Dhabi is a watery city, with the astonishing Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque dominating the waterfront. This exquisite building, with its elegant spires, gem-studded columns and white marble domes, can accommodate 41,000 worshippers and has the largest hand-woven carpet on earth. It is best seen at dusk, and is lit by immense Swarovski chandeliers.
Other sites of note include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, its astonishing art collection sitting underneath a dome made up of thousands of intricate stars which filter dappled sunshine through the museum. The museum itself appears to float in the sea, a modern vision surrounded by traditional dhows.
The city is backed by rolling desert dunes for safari adventures, so head out dune bashing or sandboarding, or get your captain to organise a night glamping in the desert under the stars. Revel in horse-riding, golfing, go-karting and supercar adventures — almost everything is on the menu in Abu Dhabi. There’s even a waterpark outside the city with a man-made surf pool and white water rafting canal. This emirate is a place of dreams, and a superb location to end your Arabian Gulf Yacht Charter.
To organise your Middle East Yacht Charter, contact the charter team at Bluewater.
