Guest Blogger: Nishita Khanwani is an avid blogger, who writes engaging blogs on subjects of travel, food, adventures, and cultural experiences. She travels to various cultural hotspots in the world, such as India, Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, enjoying their richness of history and culture.
The ‘Gulf Tiger’ Dubai is mainly known for its huge buildings, colorful nightlife, and lush ways of living. But that’s not all! Besides ultramodern architecture, this city gives equal importance to its rich heritage. And what better than the Dhow Cruise to witness it first-hand? The word ‘Dhow’ refers to a ‘small boat’ that reminds us of the fishing tradition of a bygone Dubai.
Today, the Dhow Cruise Dubai is one of the world’s most beautiful attractions and features some of the most yummy food, stunning sceneries, and a chance to take fantastic pictures of the nice view around you. Here are some valuable tips that can come in handy while choosing the finest Dhow Cruise during your Dubai trip.
Dhow Cruise Dubai – A Blend of the Country’s Glorious History, Lively Present, and Bright Future
Dhow boats of the past were used for transporting goods and the Indian Ocean as well as coastal trading. These wooden vessels were a huge part of the Arabic and Bedouin culture. Today’s Dhow Cruises are renovated dhow vessels from an antiquated era with two decks – one upper and one lower.
You can hop on a Dhow Cruise Dubai in two popular places – Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek. Each spot offers fantastic dining and a cool atmosphere, but they definitely have their own unique feel. Here’s how they differ:
Dubai Marina vs. Dubai Creek – Which One to Go For?
Two main spots to visit for Dhow Cruise Dubai – Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek. By sailing along the coasts of either place, you get the chance to dine well, relax while listening to soulful music, and see Egyptian folk dancers known as Tanoura dancers in action. If you truly want to know what the Arabic way of life and geniality feels like, either Dhow Cruise option would satisfy you. But if you really want to explore them deeper, there are a few dissimilarities to know:
● Surroundings and Things Worth Seeing
Both Dubai Marina and Dubai Creek have many sightseeing opportunities with beautiful sceneries around them. However, they reveal several differences when looked a bit closer.
The number of sights to see at Dubai Creek is way less than at Dubai Marina. The Dubai Creek is part of Bur Dubai (Old Dubai), whereas the Dubai Marina belongs to the Deira (New Dubai) part.
There is an esplanade that covers most of Bur Dubai, so there aren’t many things to see other than the historical Bastakiya Quarter with the grand, suave building designs, open markets, royal residences, and a heritage village.
The Deira side of Dubai creek Dhow Cruise has many famous buildings to see, like the National Bank of Dubai, Deira Clock Tower, etc. Dubai Creek showcases the old, heritage Dubai, while Dubai Marina boasts the lavish, fashionable, and jolly side of Dubai. Plus, you will get a view of trams, luxury yachts, pleasure vessels, and more at Dubai Creek.
● Pricing
The cost of Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina is higher than Dubai Creek. Way higher, in fact. While it’s possible to dine at Dhow Cruise Creek by spending about 65 AED, Dhow Cruise Marina costs approximately 120-150 AED.
However, there’s a catch! Although the cost is higher at Dubai Marina, reports indicate that they are way ahead in terms of services when compared to Dubai Creek. The quality of food, customer service, ambiance, and so on here are of better quality than Dubai Creek.
● Atmosphere and Backdrop
Honestly, the Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise has a much better vibe than Dubai Creek. The Marina itself just feels more special and scenic, while Dubai Creek is all about that daily grind we’re used to. All you will see on the streets here are traffic, day-to-day work, daily port activities, etc.
On the contrary, Dubai Marina is the representative of relaxation, refreshment, and fun. The streets are packed with people eager to live life. You can spot them taking a chill walk along the esplanade, sipping on some good coffee, or indulging in tasty Arabic and global treats at a local spot.
To be completely honest, the vibe that exudes out of Dubai Marina is 100x more buoyant than that of Dubai Creek.
Wrapping Up
There is something for everyone at both Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina for visitors worldwide. Thus, declaring one clear winner is quite difficult in this situation.
If you are looking for history, culture, and heritage, Dubai Creek is the ideal location. Its historic architecture, palaces, markets, etc., remind us of a lost yet not forgotten time. Conversely, Dubai Marina is way ahead in terms of scenic beauty, luxury, relaxation, entertainment, and overall ambiance.
So, what and how to pick the best dhow cruise in Dubai among the two depends entirely upon your personal taste and preferences. But one thing’s for certain: you will have a blast regardless of your chosen Dhow Cruise option.
Enjoy your travels! Please read my blogs about other exciting places around the world at Traveling Lens Photography.
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Happy Travels!
