Sandboarding Abu Dhabislide down the steep face of a giant Al Khatim dune — no snow, no experience needed, all ages
Strap onto a waxed board, climb a towering Al Khatim dune and surf back down its steep face — like snowboarding, but on warm sand and softer to fall on. Sandboarding is included free in every safari we run — or book a dedicated Sandboarding Tour for more runs on bigger dunes. Boards, wax and beginner instruction provided.
Free in every safari · or a dedicated AED 350 Sandboarding Tour · all ages · pay on arrival
From a free slide to a full sandboarding tour
Sandboarding is free in every safari — or go deeper
Most operators only sell sandboarding bundled inside a pricier safari. With us a sandboarding session is already included free in every package, so you only pay more if you want a dedicated tour with extra runs on bigger dunes.
Free in every safari, or a dedicated tour
Every standard safari already includes a sandboarding session at no extra cost. Want more? Book the dedicated Sandboarding Tour at AED 350 for extra runs, bigger slip-faces and time to actually master the board.
Beginner-friendly & all ages
No experience needed. The sand is softer than snow, so falls don’t hurt, and your guide shows you stance, balance and speed control. Kids ride with an adult, and you can slide sitting down if you’d rather take it easy.
Giant Al Khatim dunes
We board on long, steep slip-faces in the quiet Al Khatim and Al Khatim desert — far from the Dubai crowds. Boards and wax are provided, and late-afternoon light turns the dunes gold for unforgettable photos.
Sandboarding Abu Dhabi — options & prices
Two ways to sandboard with us, both pay-on-arrival. A session is free in every safari; upgrade to a dedicated tour for more runs on bigger dunes. Morning or late-afternoon — your choice.
| Option | Price | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandboarding (in any safari) | Free | A session at the camp | Everyone — included in every package |
| Dedicated Sandboarding Tour | AED 350 | Extra runs, bigger dunes | Trying to actually master the board |
| Morning session | — | Cool early light | Beating the heat, quiet dunes |
| Sunset session | — | Golden hour | Pairs with an evening safari & BBQ |
| Combine with quad / dune buggy | From AED 100 | Same trip | An off-road thrill on the same day |
Add a sandboarding tour, or pick a full safari
Every safari below already includes a sandboarding session. The dedicated Sandboarding Tour is AED 350 for extra runs on bigger dunes. Below is every package and transfer compared side by side. Book on WhatsApp, pay on arrival.
Standard Packages
Book now · pay on arrival · 25% off
Self-Drive Safari
Drive your own car to the meeting point and join the full desert camp experience at the lowest price in Abu Dhabi.
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Sharing Bus Pickup
Pickup from Al Wahda Mall, Mazyad Mall or Safeer Mall Shabiya in a shared bus. Easy and affordable.
- Bus transfer
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Sharing 4×4 Pickup
Comfortable shared Toyota Land Cruiser pickup from the city, straight to the dunes for your safari.
- 4×4 transfer
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Private Car (up to 6)
Your own private vehicle for up to 6 people. Ideal for families and groups who want their own transfer.
- Private 4×4
- Up to 6 pax
- Dune bashing
- BBQ dinner
- Live shows
Premium & Named Experiences
Signature & private safaris · 25% off
Evening Desert Safari
Our signature evening safari with VIP majlis seating and a single-seater quad bike included — sunset, dune bashing and full camp.
- VIP seating
- Quad bike
- Sunset
- BBQ dinner
- All shows
Morning Desert Safari
Start the day in the cool desert air with dune bashing, camel rides and sandboarding before the heat builds.
- Dune bashing
- Camel ride
- Sandboarding
- BBQ
- Live shows
Overnight Desert Safari
Sleep under the stars at a Bedouin-style desert camp — dune bashing, BBQ dinner, sheesha and breakfast at sunrise.
- Overnight camp
- Dune bashing
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Stargazing
Sunrise Desert Safari
A private 4-hour dawn safari — watch the desert wake up with dune bashing, sandboarding and a desert breakfast.
- Private tour
- Sunrise
- Dune bashing
- Breakfast
Sundowner Dune Safari
A private sunset dune experience with golden-hour views, refreshments and a relaxed desert atmosphere.
- Private
- Sunset
- Dune bashing
- Refreshments
Camel Trek
A slower, contemplative way to see the desert — a sunset camel ride across the golden dunes, Bedouin style.
- Camel trek
- Sunset
- Transfers
- Refreshments
Activity Tours
Add-on adventures · 25% off
Quad Bike Tour
Ride a powerful quad bike across the open dunes on a guided desert route with full safety briefing.
- Quad bike
- Guided route
- Safety gear
Dune Buggy Tour
Drive a high-powered dune buggy across the Abu Dhabi dunes — pure off-road adrenaline, per 30 minutes.
- Dune buggy
- 30 min
- Safety gear
Sandboarding Tour
Strap to a board and slide down the steep face of a desert dune — no snow required, all ages welcome.
- Sandboarding
- Equipment
- Instruction
Pick a package, add your extras, send on WhatsApp
Choose your base safari, tap the add-ons you want, and we’ll have your custom total ready. Your inquiry goes straight to our WhatsApp — we reply with availability and pickup details.
Your Safari
Prices per the option’s unit. Final total confirmed on WhatsApp.
No online payment. We confirm availability, pickup time and final price by WhatsApp on +971 50 414 6025.
Your sandboarding session, step by step
From pickup to your first run down the dune, here’s exactly how sandboarding in Abu Dhabi flows — whether you ride inside a safari or take the dedicated tour.
Hotel or mall pickup
We collect you in a 4×4 and drive to the Al Khatim desert (about 45–50 minutes), on the way to Al Ain — calm, open dunes away from the city.
Board, wax & a quick briefing
Your guide hands you a sandboard, waxes the base for glide and shows you the basics — stance, balance and how to control your speed. Beginners start on a gentler slope.
Walk the board up
Getting the board to the top is the real workout — about 70% of the effort. Take your time; the view from the crest of a giant dune is worth the climb.
Surf down the slip-face
Stand like a snowboarder or sit for an easy first go, then glide down the steep face. The sand is soft, so falling is part of the fun. Climb back up and ride again.
Photo stop on the dunes
Pause for photos as the dunes turn gold — in traditional Arabic costume if you like. Late-afternoon light is the most magical time to shoot.
Add more, or head back
Stay for dune bashing, a camel ride, a BBQ dinner and live shows on a full safari, add quad biking or a dune buggy, or we drive you back to your pickup point.
More than just the board
Your sandboarding session comes with the board, wax, beginner instruction and the full desert setting. Booked inside a safari, the same trip adds dune bashing, a camel ride, a BBQ dinner and live shows. Quad biking or a dune buggy can be added on request.
Landscape, heritage & wildlife
🏜️ The desert landscape
The desert used for Abu Dhabi safaris spans the Al Khatim and Al Al Khatim regions, roughly 45 minutes southeast of Abu Dhabi city. The terrain is made up of wide, rolling erg dunes shaped by seasonal shamal winds, with a distinctive warm ochre colour caused by iron-oxide content in the sand that deepens to copper and amber tones at sunset. The prime season runs October to April, when daytime temperatures sit between 22°C and 30°C and clear winter nights drop to a comfortable 15°C — ideal for overnight camping and stargazing.
🏕️ Bedouin heritage
This desert was the ancestral home of the Bedouin — nomadic Arab tribes who crossed these sands for centuries, navigating by the stars and travelling by camel. Modern desert camps honour that heritage: guests are welcomed with qahwa (Arabic coffee with cardamom), fresh dates and traditional majlis seating. Henna art, Arabic costumes for photographs, and live Tanoura and belly-dance performances connect every safari to the living cultural heritage of the UAE.
🦅 Desert wildlife & the Empty Quarter
The protected desert corridors around Al Khatim are home to the Arabian oryx — the UAE’s national animal — alongside sand gazelles and migrating houbara bustards. Further south, the Liwa region and the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) hold the world’s tallest dunes, including Moreeb Dune at over 200 metres. Falcon photography, available as an add-on, lets guests pose with a trained falcon as part of the UAE’s UNESCO-recognised falconry tradition.
🏂 What sandboarding in Abu Dhabi actually is
Sandboarding in Abu Dhabi is the desert cousin of snowboarding: you strap onto a waxed board and glide down the slip-face of a sand dune, carving turns or riding straight to the bottom. Instead of an icy mountain you have a warm, golden dune, and instead of a chairlift you climb back up on foot. The sport is sometimes called “surfing the desert,” and it has roots in the playful side of Bedouin life, where children slid down the sands on flat pieces of wood long before boards were sold in shops. Because the sand is soft and the slope is yours to read, sandboarding in Abu Dhabi is far more forgiving than snowboarding — a complete beginner can be sliding confidently within their first few runs, and a tumble just means a soft, sandy landing rather than a bruise on hard-packed snow. It works year-round, needs no cold-weather gear, and suits solo travellers, couples, groups of friends and families alike.
📍 Where to go sandboarding near Abu Dhabi
The best sandboarding near Abu Dhabi city is in the Al Khatim and Al Khatim dune fields, roughly 45 minutes to an hour southeast of the city along the Al Ain road. These dunes have tall, clean slip-faces and far fewer crowds than the Dubai desert, which makes them ideal for unhurried runs and golden-hour photography. Al Al Khatim, on the road between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, offers softer, family-friendly slopes that are perfect for first-timers and children. For the most dramatic dunes in the country, the Liwa Oasis on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali (the Empty Quarter) has monumental dunes exceeding 300 metres — including Moreeb Dune — but Liwa is a two-to-three-hour drive each way and is better suited to a full-day or overnight trip. For most visitors who simply want to go sandboarding in Abu Dhabi without a long journey, the Al Khatim and Al Khatim dunes deliver the best balance of big slopes, accessibility and quiet.
🪜 How a sandboarding run works, step by step
A sandboarding session in Abu Dhabi follows a simple rhythm. First your guide picks a dune with a clean, steep slip-face and waxes the base of the board so it glides smoothly. You climb to the crest along the firmer windward side — the climb is the real workout and accounts for most of the effort. At the top you choose your style: sit on the board with your feet forward for an easy, stable first descent, or stand like a snowboarder with knees bent and weight centred over the board. To control speed you lean back to slow down and shift forward to accelerate; the waxed base does the rest. You ride to the bottom, feel the rush, then walk back up for another run. Most guests get several runs in a session, building confidence and graduating from gentle slopes to steeper, faster lines. Falling is part of the fun, and because the sand is soft, wiping out is genuinely painless — which is exactly why sandboarding in Abu Dhabi is so beginner-friendly.
👨👩👧👦 Sandboarding for beginners, kids & families
No prior experience is needed to enjoy sandboarding in Abu Dhabi. Guides give a short briefing on stance, balance and speed control before you ride, and beginners always start on gentler dunes before moving up. For children, smaller boards are available, and many kids find sitting and sliding even more fun than standing. Because the soft sand cushions every fall and there is no cold or hard ice, families with children of mixed ages can all take part safely — parents can ride alongside or simply watch from the crest as the sun drops toward the horizon. It is a genuinely shared family activity: there is no skill barrier, no expensive personal kit to buy, and the whole group can climb, slide and laugh together. This combination of safety, simplicity and spectacle is what makes sandboarding one of the most popular family adventures in the Abu Dhabi desert.
🌅 Best time of day & year to go sandboarding
The most comfortable season for sandboarding in Abu Dhabi is the cooler half of the year, from October to April, when daytime temperatures sit in the low-to-mid twenties Celsius. During the hotter months, an early-morning or late-afternoon session is strongly preferable — the sand is cooler underfoot, the light is soft and golden for photos, and you avoid the harsh midday glare that flattens the dunes in pictures. Late afternoon is especially popular because a sandboarding session rolls straight into a desert sunset, with the dunes turning copper and amber as the sun sets. Whatever the season, going sandboarding at the edges of the day gives you the best temperatures, the best photographs and the best overall experience in the Abu Dhabi desert.
🧴 What to wear & bring for sandboarding
Dress light and practical. Breathable clothing, sunglasses and a hat are recommended, along with broad-spectrum sunscreen — even in winter the desert sun is strong. You can ride barefoot or in closed shoes; if you are wearing a dress or skirt, slip on leggings underneath, because you will end up sitting in the sand at some point. Bring a little water (unlimited water is provided at the camp on safaris), and keep phones and cameras in a zip pocket or pouch, since fine sand gets everywhere. The board, wax and basic instruction are always provided, so there is no equipment to rent or carry. In short, sandboarding in Abu Dhabi needs almost no special preparation — turn up in light clothes you don’t mind getting sandy, and the rest is taken care of.
🛡️ Is sandboarding safe? Safety & what to expect
Sandboarding in Abu Dhabi is considered very safe and is suitable for almost any age group. The dunes are softer than snow slopes, so the impact of any fall is minimal, and guides keep beginners on moderate slopes until they are confident. The main things to manage are the heat and the sun, which is why early-morning or late-afternoon sessions in the cooler months are best. Choosing a guided session means the equipment is maintained, the dune is chosen for a clean run, and someone experienced is on hand to coach your stance and speed. People with back or joint concerns should ride sitting down rather than standing, and pregnant guests are generally advised to watch rather than ride. For everyone else, sandboarding is a low-risk, high-fun activity — the worst that usually happens is a mouthful of sand and a fit of laughter.
🛺 Sandboarding inside a desert safari vs a dedicated tour
There are two ways to go sandboarding in Abu Dhabi with us. The first is inside a desert safari: sandboarding is included free in every standard safari, so on an evening, morning or overnight trip you get to slide down the dunes at no extra cost, alongside dune bashing, a camel ride, a BBQ dinner and live shows. The second is a dedicated Sandboarding Tour for AED 350 per person, which is built entirely around the board — more runs, bigger dunes and more time to practise, ideal for guests who came specifically for sandboarding rather than the wider safari. Most visitors are happily covered by the free sandboarding inside a safari; the dedicated tour is for enthusiasts who want a session focused purely on riding. Either way you pay on arrival, book with a single WhatsApp message, and ride the same quiet, golden dunes southeast of the city.
“Sandboarding down the big dune was the highlight of our trip — we died laughing every time we wiped out, and the sand is so soft it doesn’t hurt. Loved that it was already free in the safari, and the sunset from the top of the dune was unreal.”
“We did the self-drive option to save money and it was honestly fantastic value. Same camp, same activities, a fraction of the price. The sunset was unreal.”
“So much quieter than the Dubai desert. Our driver was excellent and added the long dune bashing for us. The quad bike add-on was the highlight for my son.”
“The overnight safari was magical. Stargazing, the Bedouin camp, sunrise over the dunes — worth every dirham. Highly recommend the VIP majlis seating.”
“Transparent pricing, replied instantly on WhatsApp, and no hidden charges. The belly dance and fire show were brilliant and the kids loved the camel ride.”
“Booked the dedicated sandboarding tour and got loads of runs on a huge dune. The guide waxed the board and showed me how to balance — total beginner and I was carving down by the end. Easy WhatsApp booking. Will be back.”
How to actually ride a sand dune
Sandboarding looks intimidating from the top of a giant dune, but it’s one of the easiest board sports to pick up — the sand is soft, the speed is yours to control, and there’s no lift queue. Here’s how a run actually works, from the climb to the slide.
Climb the dune
This is the real workout — carrying your board up the soft slip-face is about 70% of the effort. Walk along the firmer windward side where you can, pace yourself, and the view from the crest makes every step worth it.
Stance & slide
Sit on the board for an easy first run, or stand like a snowboarder with knees bent and weight centred. Lean back slightly to slow down, forward to speed up. The waxed base does the work — just keep your balance and enjoy the glide.
Why it’s easier than you think
Sand is softer and more forgiving than snow, so falls don’t hurt and there’s no cold. It works year-round, needs no special clothing, and the gentler slopes are perfect for first-timers and kids before you graduate to the big dunes.
Sandboarding Abu Dhabi — FAQs
Sandboarding is included free in every standard desert safari we run — so most guests get to sandboard at no extra cost. If you want more time on bigger dunes, you can book a dedicated Sandboarding Tour for AED 350, which focuses entirely on sandboarding with extra runs.
Sandboarding is free inside any of our safaris, and a dedicated Sandboarding Tour is AED 350 per person. You pay on arrival with no booking fee. Most other companies only sell sandboarding bundled inside a pricier safari, so a free-in-safari slide plus an optional standalone tour is rare value.
No experience is needed. Desert sand is softer and more forgiving than snow, so falls don’t hurt. Your guide shows you the basics — stance, balance and how to control your speed — and beginners start on gentler slopes before moving to bigger dunes. The real effort is walking the board up the dune; sliding down is the easy, fun part.
Yes. Sandboarding is safe and suitable for all ages — you control your own speed, the sand is soft, and you can ride sitting down if you prefer. Children can take part with an adult. As with other dune activities, we don’t recommend it for pregnant women or anyone with a serious back or joint condition; just let us know when you book.
On the open dunes of the Al Khatim and Al Khatim desert, about 45 to 50 minutes from Abu Dhabi city on the way to Al Ain. These dunes have long, steep slip-faces ideal for sandboarding, and they’re far quieter than the Dubai desert. For the truly epic slopes, the Liwa region and Moreeb Dune in the Empty Quarter hold some of the tallest dunes on earth.
The idea is the same — you stand or sit on a board and slide down a slope — but sandboarding is on warm desert sand instead of snow, so it works year-round and needs no cold weather or ski lift. We wax the base of the board so it glides smoothly, and you can ride standing like a snowboard or lying down for an easy first go.
Wear light, comfortable clothing that covers you from the sun, and closed shoes for climbing the dune. Bring sunglasses, a hat and SPF 30+ sunscreen. If you’re wearing a dress or skirt, leggings underneath are a good idea — you will fall, but the sand is soft. We provide the sandboard and wax, so you don’t need any equipment.
The cooler season from October to April is ideal. Early morning or late afternoon are the most comfortable times to ride, avoiding the midday heat, and late-afternoon light makes the dunes glow gold for photos. A sunset sandboarding session pairs perfectly with an evening safari and BBQ dinner.
Yes, and most guests do exactly that. Sandboarding is part of a full safari with dune bashing, a camel ride, a BBQ dinner and live shows, and you can also add quad biking or a dune buggy for an off-road thrill in the same trip. Just tell us what you’d like to combine and we’ll arrange it.
Booking is on WhatsApp. Message us at +971 50 414 6025 with your date and group size, and tell us if you want sandboarding inside a full safari or as a dedicated tour, and we confirm your pickup. There’s no booking fee and no online payment — you pay on arrival.
Other Abu Dhabi desert safaris & activities
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