Ready to get the heart racing?
Why settle for the easy life when you can push your body to its limits and experience real adrenaline-fueled adventure?
If you love that stomach-dropping feeling or having your heart in your mouth, these are the thrills and adventures for you.
Here in the UAE there are many ways to experience the natural landscapes, and they include doing it from a great heights or at breakneck speeds.
Get ready thrill seekers, things are about to get exciting.
Abu Dhabi
Get behind the wheel of a Ferrari
Buckle up baby, this is going to be a thrill. Get on the road with an experienced Ferrari-trained instructor, or take the wheel yourself and fly around the roads of Yas Island. This one is bound to get the heart racing. Who wouldn’t want to drive a Ferrari?
From Dhs895. Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Kayak at Eastern Mangroves
This paddle-powered pursuit is available across the UAE but we keep coming back for more in Abu Dhabi’s magnificent mangroves. With so much natural beauty surrounding you, it’s easy to get lost in the moment but luckily your guides won’t let get lost at sea.
Dhs168 (adults), Dhs147 (children) via Sea Hawk, Abu Dhabi (02 673 6688).
Drift around the Yas Marina Circuit by night
Buckle up, this is not for the faint-hearted. Get ready to drift, spin and turn at high speeds. The ultimate thrill for car lovers. Choose to ride as a passenger or get behind the wheel yourself. Adding to the thrill, this takes place at night. Get ready to smell the rubber burn.
From Dhs320. Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. yasmarinacircuit.com
Dubai
Try the world’s fastest indoor rollercoaster
This rollercoaster is unlike any other you’ve tried. The Storm Coaster is in a mall. Yes, in a mall. Only in Dubai right? Shop around for your bits and bobs, then hit up the Storm Coaster at Dubai Hills Mall. Expect non-stop action throughout the two-and-a-quarter-minute ride that will leave you breathless and elated all at the same time.
From Dhs55. The Storm Coaster, Dubai Hills Mall. @thestormcoaster
Dune-buggy around the desert
A dune buggy adventure like no other. The automatic four-wheeled drive buggy is the ultimate thrill, and no license is required. So get the helmet on and make sure you’re holding tight, this is an adventure you’ll love.
From Dhs800 via Big Red DXB, Dubai. bigreddxb.com
Jump out of a plane over Palm Jumeirah
Plunging over the Palm having leapt from 13,000ft is just one of those ‘must tell the grandkids’ moments, especially when you can have video proof of you boldly going where none of your family have before. It’s terrifying and electrifying in equal measures.
From Dhs1599 (tandem dive with instructor). Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina. skydivedubai.com (04 377 8888).
Walk the edge of a skyscraper in Dub
This one is just short of a skydive. Step out onto the edge of the Address Skyview Hotel and take in the views of Downtown Dubai (if you can open your eyes). Feel the wind in yoru hair and your heart in your mouth. Don’t worry, you’ll be harnessed up, but this one will definitely get the blood pumping.
From Dhs699 (Edge Walk) Address Sky View Hotel, Downtown Dubai. skywalkdubai.com
Zipline over the Dubai Marina
If you’e looking for a thrill in the middle of things, this is the activity for you. Fly through the Dubai Marina at speeds of over 80kmh as you zipline head-first in the super man pose. Even though its 1km long, this will feel like 30 seconds as your heart races and your head thinks, what have I done! Maybe not one for people who are afraid of heights.
From Dhs 650. XLine, Dubai Marina. xdubai.com
Fujairah
Parasailing in Fujairah
Snoopy Island is one of Fujairah’s finest (and most visited) spots, full stop. But soaring above it strapped to one of your nearest and dearest as you’re being propelled by a speedboat, as well as a hefty gust of wind is when this place gets really exciting.
From Dhs363 via AdventureSports.ae, Snoopy Island, Fujairah (054 598 5353).
Scuba dive at Dibba Rock
Love to go diving in the UAE? Dibba Rock is a breathtaking (there’s not much air down there, you know) site to plumb if you’re at home on the ocean’s bed. Dives go as deep as 30 metres, but with 10 metres visibility on a good day. Dibba Rock is a site to behold once you’ve hit the bottom, making it one of the best things to do in Fujairah. Swaying corals wave hello to open water divers while sting rays, green turtles and colourful scales can all be spied floating above a small shipwreck.
From Dhs400. Royal Beach, Dibba Fujairah, Al Fujairah, nemodivingcenter.com.
Ras Al Khaimah
Canyoning at Wadi Showka
If hiking wasn’t enough of a buzz for you, try hiking through water. Essentially that’s what canyoning is, and at Wadi Showka you can climb, scramble and wade your way through a week’s worth of workouts in one go, plus have a slap-up Emirati lunch to keep you going. You can book for a small group and the prices depend on numbers and when you go.
Various prices via Adventurati. Wadi Showka, Ras Al Khaimah (050 280 3662).
Take flight at Jebel Jais
Sitting at a cool 1,934m above sea level, Jebel Jais is home to the world’s longest zipline. Get ready to fly through the air, in the super man pose, at speeds of up to 150 kph, travelling 2.8 km – the equivalent of 28 football pitches.
From Dhs300. Jebel Jais, Jais Adventure Park, Ras Al Khaimah. visitjebeljais.com
Slide down the region’s longest toboggan ride
The Jebel Sledder is popular thrill that opened in February 2022, the Jebel Sledder is a bob-sled ride minus the snow. As riders hurtle across the track, they will be taken through exhilarating hairpin curves along the way, reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Hold onto your hats because you’ll be in for a high-octane eight-minute ride on this alpine coaster track that stretches 1,885 metres.
From Dhs40. Jebel Jais, Jais Adventure Park, Ras Al Khaimah. visitjebeljais.com
