How much does it cost to rent a yacht in Dubai Marina?

If you are planning a private yacht in Dubai Marina, the first question is almost always the same: what will it actually cost? The honest answer is that it depends on four things: the size of the yacht, how long you stay out, when you go, and what you add to the day. This guide walks through each of them using real starting rates from our own fleet, so you can set a budget before you speak to anyone.

The short version: private yachts in Dubai Marina are priced per yacht, per hour, not per person. On the FIA fleet, rates currently start from AED 590 per hour for a yacht that takes up to 13 guests, sit between AED 690 and AED 800 per hour for yachts that take 15 to 20 guests, and rise to AED 1,500 to AED 2,100 per hour for yachts that carry around 40. Most groups book three or four hours, so a typical private charter for a group of friends or family lands somewhere between AED 1,800 and AED 3,200 before any extras.

Typical yacht rental prices in Dubai Marina, by size

The table below uses the published starting rates for yachts in our fleet in October 2026. We have added a three-hour total because that is the length most first-time guests choose.

Swipe the table to see all columns.

Two things to keep in mind when you read any price list in Dubai, ours included. First, these are starting rates, so the final figure depends on your date, time and any additions. Second, the UAE charges VAT at 5 percent, so always check whether the number you have been given includes it. A clear quote will say so in writing.

Why yachts are priced by the hour

A private charter means the whole yacht, the captain and the crew are reserved for your group alone. Fuel, crew time and the berth are the main running costs, and all of them scale with time on the water, which is why hourly pricing has become the standard across Dubai Marina.

That has a useful consequence: the number of guests usually does not change the price. Six people and sixteen people on the same yacht for the same three hours pay the same amount, which is why the cost per person can fall sharply as your group grows. We come back to that below.

How long should you book?

Two hours is enough to leave the Marina, cruise past JBR and Bluewaters, and reach the Palm and Atlantis before turning back. It works well for a short sunset or a first taste of the water.

We usually suggest three to four hours for a first charter. That extra time is what turns a sightseeing loop into a proper day out. It leaves room to continue to Burj Al Arab, stop at anchor for a swim, and eat without watching the clock. If you would like to see how the time breaks down along the coast, our guide to the Dubai Marina cruise route maps out what fits into two, three and four hours.

Whatever you book, ask exactly when the time starts and finishes. Some guests assume the clock starts once the yacht leaves the berth, others assume it starts at boarding. Agreeing this up front avoids an awkward conversation at the end of a lovely afternoon.

What is included in the price

Inclusions vary a lot between operators in Dubai, and this is where two quotes that look similar can turn out to be very different. Every FIA yacht includes:

• A fully inspected yacht, prepared before you board
• A licensed captain and a stewardess
• A host on board for your charter
• Local fuel
• Water, soft drinks and ice

That covers a relaxed cruise with everything you need to be comfortable. Anything beyond it is a choice rather than a hidden cost, and it is quoted separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

What usually costs extra

These are the additions guests ask about most. Each one is priced on request, because the cost depends on your group size and what you have in mind:

• Food: a BBQ setup, a private chef or a chef-led menu
• Celebration styling: décor, flowers, a cake and table design
• Photography and videography, from a few candid shots to a short film
• Watersports, such as a jet ski session from the yacht
• Extended time or a custom route, for example a longer run to The World Islands
• Island dining, where you step ashore for a private table

You can see the full range on our add-ons page. If you know you want one or two of these, mention them in your first message. It is far easier to give you an accurate total at the start than to add things piece by piece later.

Six things that change the price of a yacht charter

1. The size of the yacht

This is the biggest factor. A larger yacht costs more per hour because it needs more crew, more fuel and a bigger berth. The trick is to choose a yacht that fits your group comfortably without paying for deck space nobody will use. Our separate guide on choosing the right yacht size for your group covers how much room different groups really need.

2. How long you stay out

Hourly pricing means duration is the second biggest factor. Adding an hour to a three-hour charter on a mid-size yacht typically adds AED 690 to AED 800, which is often worth it if you want a swim stop or a meal at anchor.

3. The time of day

Sunset is the most popular time to be on the water in Dubai, so the slots around it tend to go first, especially at weekends. Sunrise and daytime charters are quieter and can be easier to secure at short notice. If your dates are flexible, it is worth asking which times are open.

4. The season and the date

The cooler months, from roughly October to April, are the busiest season for yachting in Dubai. Across the city, rates for peak nights such as New Year's Eve are usually quoted separately from standard hourly prices, and they book up early. If you are planning around a major holiday or event, enquire as soon as you have a date.

5. Your route

A standard cruise along the Marina, the Palm and Burj Al Arab fits comfortably within three or four hours. Going further, to The World Islands for example, simply needs more time. You will not pay a premium for the route itself, but you will need enough hours to enjoy it without rushing.

6. Add-ons

Food, styling, photography and watersports can turn a cruise into a full celebration. They are also the easiest part of the budget to control, because every one of them is optional.

How to work out the cost per guest

Because you pay for the yacht rather than per seat, it helps to divide the total by the number of people sharing it. Here are three examples using our published starting rates:

• Six friends on Prestige for three hours: AED 1,770 in total, or about AED 295 each.
• Twenty guests on Majesty for three hours: AED 2,280 in total, or about AED 114 each.
• Forty guests on Vantage for three hours: AED 4,500 in total, or about AED 113 each.

Seen this way, a private yacht can cost about the same per person as a good group dinner in the city, with the difference that the whole yacht and crew are yours for the afternoon. For birthdays and family gatherings in particular, this is often what makes a private charter the more sensible choice.

Private charter or shared yacht tour?

You will also see shared yacht tours advertised in Dubai Marina, where you buy a ticket and join other passengers on a set route. They cost less per ticket, and they are a fine option if you simply want an hour on the water.

A private charter is a different kind of experience. You choose the time, the route, the music and the pace. You can stop for a swim, bring a cake, propose, or simply sit quietly with your own group. Every charter we run is private, because that is the experience we set out to offer: calm, discreet and shaped around the people on board.

How to get an accurate quote and avoid surprises

Whoever you book with, these questions will tell you almost everything you need to know:

1. Does the total include VAT? Ask for the final figure in writing.
2. When does the time start and finish? At boarding, or at departure?
3. What exactly is included? Fuel, crew, soft drinks and ice should be clear on the quote.
4. What is the licensed capacity of the yacht? Every guest counts, children included.
5. What are the payment and cancellation terms? Including what happens if the weather is not safe.
6. Where do we board, and where can we park?
7. What do the add-ons cost? Get them on the same quote, not later.

With FIA you speak directly to the team that will host your charter, and our payment schedule and cancellation terms are confirmed in writing when you book. If anything is unclear, ask us. We would rather explain it twice than have you guess.

Ways to make your budget go further

• Match the yacht to the group. A 20-guest yacht for 8 people is lovely but rarely necessary. Our fleet page lets you filter by group size and price.
• Book three hours rather than two. The extra hour costs less than a second outing and makes the whole charter feel unhurried.
• Consider sunrise or daytime. If sunset is fully booked or you want calmer water, a morning charter is a beautiful alternative.
• Ask for add-ons together. One quote with food, styling and photography is easier to compare and plan.
• Enquire early for peak dates. Weekends in the cooler months and holiday periods fill first.

Frequently asked questions

Are yacht rental prices in Dubai per person or per yacht?

For a private charter, prices are per yacht, per hour. The rate stays the same whether you bring four guests or the yacht's full capacity, as long as you stay within its licensed limit.

Is fuel included?

On every FIA yacht, local fuel is included in the hourly rate, along with a licensed captain and stewardess, a host, water, soft drinks and ice.

Is there a minimum booking time?

Minimums depend on the yacht and the date, so we confirm them with your quote. For a first charter we recommend three to four hours. Fishing charters have a four-hour minimum.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Payment schedules and cancellation terms are confirmed in writing during booking, so you know exactly what is due and when before anything is final.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Safety always comes first, and charters depend on sea and weather conditions. If conditions are not safe on the day, we will talk you through the options set out in your booking terms.

How far in advance should I book?

As early as you can, especially for sunset slots, weekends in the cooler months and holiday dates. That said, it is always worth asking about short-notice availability.

Plan your charter

A private yacht in Dubai Marina is one of the best-value ways for a group to spend a few hours together in this city, provided you choose the right size and know what is included. Browse the fleet to compare yachts and starting rates, or tell us your plans and we will put together a clear, written quote.