Are you thinking of exploring Dubai by yacht and having the adventure of a lifetime? Here’s how to pick the best time to visit Dubai.
Dubai: a glamorous and mesmerising city, full of fun things to do and stunning beaches, it makes the perfect holiday location.
More than 15 million people visit Dubai every year, and there’s a good reason why.
But when is the best time to visit Dubai? And what do I need to know before planning my trip?
Read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting Dubai.
Tips for Choosing the Best Time to Visit Dubai
There are several factors to consider when planning your trip to the UAE. Keep reading to find out the places to visit in Dubai, as well as the rules for visiting, and more.
Climate
Dubai is generally hot and dry year-round, however, there are some small variations month-to-month. This may be one of your considerations when choosing the best month to visit Dubai.
April to October is the hottest period – with July and August being the very peak – and temperatures soaring to as high as 41°C. The high humidity (caused by its location in the Persian Gulf) at this time is also important to bear in mind.
There is, of course, extensive air-conditioning in hotels, shopping centres, and all indoor venues, so the type of holiday you’re looking for will also impact the time of year you can visit.
November and March offer slightly cooler, but still sunny and pleasant temperatures of around 28-31°C.
The period from December to February sees temperatures reach a high of 26°C. December and January are also the two months with the highest rainfall on average, however, this is still very little at 7 to 8mm.
Rules
The majority of rules for visiting Dubai do not apply specifically to one period of the year or another. However, the nature of these rules means you might need to take the climate into further consideration.
For example, it is important to wear appropriate clothing in public. This means wearing items that go down to your knees and that cover your shoulders. Therefore, this is something to think about given the high temperatures and potential discomfort of wearing long clothing in the heat.
Other aspects of sharia law that should be remembered are that swearing and loud music are forbidden in public.
Finally, if visiting Dubai during the period of Ramadan (April to May – although the precise dates change every year), tourists are required to follow the strict daylight fasting rules in public, regardless of their own religious beliefs. Between sunrise and sunset, it is forbidden to eat or drink anything in public, including water.
There can be serious consequences for flouting these laws, but the vast majority of visitors have a trouble-free holiday in Dubai.
Sailing
The optimum time to take to the seas in Dubai is during the cooler months of December to April. However, September to November is also a suitable period for enjoying a yacht trip.
It is also possible to take part in a number of watersports, such as riding jetskis, banana boating, and even parasailing. Fishing trips are generally available between November and May, and it’s possible to catch tuna, snapper and more!
Even during hotter days, a morning’s cruising and sunbathing on the deck before it gets too sweltering is a great activity. On the other hand, what could be more romantic than a sunset cruise in the evening?!
Crowds
With July and August being for some, just too hot, this is a good time to visit Dubai in terms of crowds. If you can face the heat, pack your suncream and explore Dubai during the summer.
Correspondingly, November till March being months with the ‘ideal’ temperature for a holiday, this is a more popular time for tourists to visit, and you may find that the beach fills up a lot quicker during these months. This is also due to the fact that it corresponds with the winter season in Europe and North America, so many people opt for this period as a chance to escape their own cooler climates.
Jumeirah Beach is one of the most popular spots to sunbathe, but there are plenty of private options to escape the crowds which offer discounts for children, and sometimes include food and drink vouchers in their prices.
Events
There are several events that mark the Dubai calendar. If any of these are of particular interest to you, this may sway your decision for when to visit Dubai.
- January – Dubai Shopping Festival
- February – Jazz and Food Festivals
- March – Al Marmoom Heritage Festival
- April-May – Ramadan
- July-September – July Summer Surprises
- September – Saudi National Day
- August – Islamic New Year
- December – Dubai International Film Festival, UAE National Day, and Emirates Independent Day
The Dubai Shopping Festival is a huge event and a must-do for shopaholics and families alike. There is a multitude of promotions, attractions and celebrations that take place.
Finally, it is worth noting that the ‘weekend’ in Dubai falls on Thursday and Friday, rather than Saturday and Sunday. Therefore, all businesses are open on Sundays, while Friday is considered the sacred day of the week.
Prices
The cost of your holiday is also a factor to bear in mind when planning your trip. The further in advance that you book flights and accommodation will generally result in lower prices.
Across the year, the prices of hotels do not usually fluctuate a lot. The lowest prices are in May and June, which reflects the soaring temperatures and lower crowds. Discounts can often be found during this period so it is a good time for travellers on a budget to visit.
Meanwhile, the most expensive months are October and November, when the climate returns to a more comfortable temperature and visitor flock for a winter break.
When Will You Visit Dubai?
We’ve now covered the different factors that determine the best time to visit Dubai, so you can start planning your next holiday. Whether the climate or a specific event is your priority, you can rest assured that a trip at any time of year will not disappoint.
You can contact us here for more information about planning yacht events in Dubai.