Dubai promoted as tourism destination via adventure sports 

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination.

As travel trends pivot toward immersive, thrill-seeking experiences, Dubai is emerging as one of the world’s most exciting playgrounds for adrenaline enthusiasts. For Australian travellers with a passion for the extreme – from skydiving above iconic cityscapes to jet skiing around palm-shaped islands – Dubai offers adventure all year-round across unforgettable landscapes.

Desert Quadbiking: Big Red Adventure Tours – Al Lahbab Desert
Experience the exhilarating rush of wind-blown sand at Al Lahbab Desert, better known as ‘Big Red’, a magnet for high-octane sand adventures. The quad bikes and dune buggies are built for speed, stripped of unnecessary panels and outfitted for ultimate desert handling. Riders tackle soft, shifting dunes on vehicles equipped with reinforced roll cages and harnesses, ensuring both safety and thrill.

Delve into this with Big Red Adventure Tours, providing diverse desert safari packages – morning, evening, or overnight – combining speed, scenery and Arabian culture in one special journey.

Urban Ziplining:  XLine – Dubai Marina
As the world’s longest urban zipline, XLine Dubai sends adventurers racing 1 kilometre across the Marina skyline at 80km/h. Riders launch from 170 metres high and descend alongside breathtaking vistas of opulent yachts, turquoise waters and gleaming skyscrapers. The journey concludes with a landing on the terrace of Dubai Marina Mall, completing a full circle moment. With dual lines available, it’s a must for couples or friends chasing the same high.

Flyboarding Spectacle: Sky and Sea Adventures – Dubai Marina
For those interested in embracing an aquatic adventure, Dubai’s serene waters provide an ideal setting for stylish beach relaxation, yet for an exhilarating experience. Consider arranging a session of flyboarding, which blends elements of wakeboarding and kitesurfing, taking participants up to 10 meters above the water’s surface using a potent turbine. Suitable for individuals across all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, mastering the art of maintaining balance mid-air is achievable.

Operators like Sky and Sea Adventures provide expert guidance, ensuring a safe, unforgettable ride just off Dubai Marina. For those craving alternative aquatic thrills, Kite Beach serves up parasailing, kitesurfing and jet ski rentals.

City Vantage: Sky Views Dubai - Address Sky View Hotel
At 219.5 metres above ground, Sky Views Dubai elevates sightseeing into a thrill ride. The Edge Walk dares visitors to strap in and stroll along the building’s outer edge, while the all-glass Sky Slide offers a transparent plunge between floors. The experience captures the drama of Downtown Dubai from every angle, especially when timed with a sunset over the Burj Khalifa.

If you're craving more serene elevation, Balloon Adventures offers hot air balloon flights over the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Drifting at 4,000 feet, travellers are treated to sunrise views and mid-air falconry shows, before landing for a desert safari through rolling dunes.

Mountaineering Escape to Outdoor Wellness: Hatta
High up Dubai’s Hajar mountains, Hatta is a great place to hit if you want to swap skyline views for nature. This charming mountain town is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and is perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway in the glamping Domes. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, including hiking, outdoor yoga, mountain biking, and kayaking in the Hatta Dam.

At Hatta Wadi Hub, visitors can try archery, zorbing, or even plunge down a mountain waterslide. The area is also home to eco-glamping sites, letting adventurers sleep beneath the stars without compromising on comfort.

The Freefall: Skydive’s Sky Hub
Skydive Dubai remains the definitive high-altitude experience. Adventure-seekers leap from 13,000 feet above the iconic Palm Jumeirah, gliding down with panoramic views of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and the city skyline. For desert lovers, the Al Ain Road dropzone swaps ocean vistas for vast, golden dunes.

Those after a gentler high can opt for a gyrocopter flight from SkyHub – an open-air, two-seater aircraft that offers sweeping aerial perspectives of Dubai at 1,500 feet.

Underwater Adrenaline: Deep Dive Dubai - NAS Sports Complex
Deep Dive Dubai stands as an exhilarating inclusion in the vibrant sports and adventure landscape of the city, attracting avid water enthusiasts. This 60.02-metre-deep pool, the world’s deepest, replicates an abandoned sunken city with eerie interiors, stairwells and submerged streets to explore. Beginners and seasoned divers alike can participate in freediving and scuba programs, all led by elite international instructors.