What to Expect

Yacht charters in Dubai come in many sizes: small (30-50 ft), medium (50-80 ft), large/superyachts (80 ft+). Amenities scale with size: cabins, bathrooms, sun decks, BBQ, water toys, entertainment systems etc. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Routes often include views of iconic landmarks: Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, The World Islands etc. Evening cruises are popular for skyline views. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Rentals may be for just hours, or half-day, full day, or even overnight if boat allows. (Charterclick)

Price / Cost Considerations

Prices vary a lot depending on size, duration, amenities, season, etc. Here’s roughly what you might expect (2025 checks):

Yacht Size / Type	Typical Hourly Rate (AED)	Typical 4-Hour Charter*	Larger Superyachts / Mega Yachts
Small (30-50 ft)	AED 500–1,500 or so (gunayydin.com)	maybe AED 2,000-6,000 depending on extras (gunayydin.com)	—
Medium (50-80 ft)	AED 1,500-3,000/hr (gunayydin.com)	4-hr charters often AED 6,000-20,000+ depending on features and services. (Arabian Yacht Company)	—
Large / Mega (80-120 ft, or higher)	AED 3,000-20,000+/hr (Arabian Yacht Company)	Full-day or special itineraries run very high. (Arabian Yacht Company)

These include basic fees (crew, captain), but often extra costs for fuel, food/catering, drinks, entertainment, water toys, etc. (Million Yachts)

Additional costs can include:

Fuel (which depends on speed, distance, consumption) (Million Yachts)
Crew, staff (cooks, bartenders, guides) (Arabian Yacht Company)
Food and beverage packages, special menus (Million Yachts)
Entertainment, decorations, music/DJ, water-sports equipment etc. (Arabian Yacht Company)

Yachts must be licensed & registered with Dubai Maritime (or DMCA / relevant authority). You’ll want to check the vessel has proper documentation. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Crew should have required certifications. Safety equipment, life jackets etc are mandatory. (Arabian Yacht Company)
There are rules about speed limits (especially in no-wake zones, near shore, marinas etc.), navigation restrictions, anchoring restrictions. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Environmental regulations: waste disposal, no littering, marine protection zones (coral reefs etc) must be respected. Using reef-safe sunscreen etc may be advisable. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Rules about behaviour: public decency laws, alcohol regulations (some yachts may be licensed to serve, some may not), smoking may be restricted in certain areas. (Arabian Yacht Company)

Seasonality: Peak season is the cooler months, roughly November to March. Expect higher demand & higher prices then. Off-peak (summer) tends to have lower rates. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Time of day: Early morning or evening cruises often cooler (weather-wise) and sometimes cheaper than midday. (Arabian Yacht Company)
Advance booking helps: especially on weekends or special dates, reserving in advance can get you better rates. (dubai.ae.org)
Check for bundled services: Sometimes the operator includes food, drinks, certain amenities; in other cases these are add-ons. Getting an all-inclusive package may be more cost-effective if you plan to use many services.
Negotiate / get quotes from multiple providers: Don’t just settle for the first offer. Compare what you get for the price.

Bring proper ID (passport or Emirates ID). You may need to present it.
Confirm what is included: What is the itinerary, how long you’ll actually be on water, fuel charges, return time, possible delays.
Clarify decorations/music etc if you plan anything special (celebrations, photoshoots) so regulations or extra fees are known in advance.
Check weather forecast. Sea can be rough, or temperatures extreme midday in summer. Sun protection, hydration important.
Be clear on cancellation policies: sometimes there are fees, depending on when you cancel/reschedule.
Ask about safety & insurance: ensure the yacht has adequate insurance, crew trained for emergencies, safety gear.