12 of 14 places fit
A two-hour private sunset boat for up to ten people for AED 500 total, far cheaper than a Dubai yacht.
A commuter ferry from Dubai Creek to the Sharjah Aquarium station in Al Khan, which skips the Al Ittihad Road traffic entirely.
A 45-minute loop on the Dubai Water Canal past the waterfalls bridge and Business Bay, for AED 25.
See the Marina towers from water level for AED 7 a hop, a fraction of a yacht tour.
A private abra for up to ten round Khalid Lagoon, past the Al Majaz fountain and mosque, priced per boat rather than per head.
A coastal ride past the Palm, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah to the old Creek, the length of Dubai by sea for the price of a taxi.
Private yachts and shared yacht tours out of Dubai Marina and Dubai Harbour, the standard way residents do a birthday on the water.
A short, cheap boat out across Khor Fakkan bay to a rocky island, with the Hajar mountains behind the town.
A quiet electric boat lets non-paddlers see the same mangrove channels the kayakers do.
The flamingo and mangrove boats go looking for the birds that feed on Saadiyat's mudflats.
You drive the electric boat yourself at a walking pace, no boat licence needed.
You can rent anything from a two-person zodiac to a yacht by the half hour, right off the Corniche.