By Sea, Dubai

3 more images

First thing to say is that I haven't had a chance to do this myself yet...but it looks good.

The RTA has a new ferry service running from Dubai Marina, the route map showing that it sails out of one end of the marina, around & through (under a bridge) Palm Jumeirah island and back into the other end of the marina.

I've been on another boat through the marina and the view from the water is spectacular. I would say that it will give the best view of Palm Jumeirah too, because the drive onto the island itself is just a drive on a multi-lane highway between high-rise apartment blocks - you can't go onto the fronds and you don't see the beaches or water.

You'll also get great views from the ocean side of Burj Al Arab, the string of beach hotels and the marina.

The ferry operates from Dubai Marina Mall Station four times a day. Fare is AED50 or AED75 (Gold or Silver tickets).

4 more images

The Creek runs through the centre of the city of Dubai, Deira is one side and Bur Dubai the other. There are four bridges (others will soon be built) and a tunnel, plus a pedestrian underpass. But the traffic is terrible, the crossings are always busy so the best way to cross between Bur Dubai and Deira side is by abra, the traditional small ferries. The cost is only Dh1, which is 27 US cents.

I always make a point of taking visitors on the abra and all of them have said it was the most memorable part of their visit to Dubai. It's one of the few old traditional things you can do.

There is now also a water bus service with air-conditioned modern water buses. The fare across the Creek is Dh4 and there is also a special tourist route at Dh25.

1 more image

Water taxi

The water taxi is the cheapest and most fun transportation for travelling across the creek. We went as part of a group but for an individual it is 1 AED. The Spice Souk is on one side and the Gold Souk on another. It's much cheaper than taking a taxi around.

4 more images

When you want to take a trip across the creek on an Abra boat just go to one of the Abra stations on the creek. One of the guys running the station will soon let you know which Abra is going across the creek next. The boats take about 20 passengers, the driver tries to point to those indecisive travellers where you should sit, but be quick as you can. The boat can bounce around a bit and I felt like I was going to fall into the far from clean water at times. Try the trip at dusk or early nightfall as the view from the creek of all the lights of the city is fantastic. As other travellers have stated on Virtual Tourist, AVOID travelling on the Abra's during rush hour and especially Friday evenings. Of course if you like to have the "London Underground" experience it may be just your thing to travel at this time. The trip will only cost 50 fils or about 25c, the driver will collect the money once the boat is under way. If you don't look like a local and give him 1dirham or 5 dirhams don't expect too much change if any, but when it's this cheap who cares. It's the cheapest and best way to get a great view of the hussle and bustle of Dubai from the relative calmness of the Creek.

You can hire an Abra privately and as such will cost anywhere up to 50 Dirhams ( for 1 hour)per boat depending on how far you want to go and how long you want to go for.

1 more image

One of the more unusual features about Dubai is the water taxis that constantly cross the Dubai Creek. There is no booking, just go down to the wharf area and board one of the many taxis that will take you across the creek in about 5 minutes - and great views of other small ships that ply the Gulf laden with cargo of every description.

Most did not seem to have life jackets and there is no safety railings and I'm not sure if humans can actually survive a tumble into the Dubai Creek - :) Cost is 1 Dhs (about 30 cents Australian) per person per crossing and your travelling companions are likely to be from every corner of Asia.

i stayed there just for transferring plane,really impressed on the amazing airport,it's sooooo beautiful and full of lights,so we just saw somehting sparkling in the dark when on the plane,really sweeeet,hmmm hope i can stay there longer next time!!!*S*

Little boats called abrahs cross the creek constantly, mostly carrying low-paid Asian workers to and fro.
They are safe and very cheap (50 fils each way) but careful when you get on and off, can be slippy. Don't try it in heels and women be conservatively dressed or you will be well stared at!
Hire a whole abrah for 30dhs+ to take you along the whole creek for an hour or so. Very pleasant and the architecture is spectacular.