Dubai has several unusual experiences for residents and visitors who want to go beyond the usual sightseeing activities. From indoor skydiving and surfing to exploring a submerged city and racing through augmented reality tracks, these attractions offer different ways to spend a day in the city.
The experiences cater to different age groups and interests, including adventure enthusiasts, families, couples and groups of friends. They also add variety to Dubai’s growing leisure and entertainment scene.
- Location: Dubai and Hatta
- Featured attractions: Inflight Dubai, Wavehouse, Deep Dive Dubai, XLine Dubai and others
- Status: Experiences available throughout the year, subject to operating schedules
- Who can try them: Residents, tourists, families and adventure enthusiasts, depending on age and safety requirements
- Business impact: Supports Dubai’s leisure, hospitality and adventure tourism sectors
- What’s next: Check individual attraction websites for current prices, timings and booking availability
Looking for unusual things to do in Dubai? The city offers plenty of experiences that go beyond shopping malls, desert safaris and traditional sightseeing. Visitors can experience freefall without jumping from an aircraft, try surfing on artificial waves, walk through an underwater city or even smash objects inside a dedicated rage room.
These unusual activities in Dubai cater to different interests and budgets. Some are designed for adrenaline seekers, while others offer indoor entertainment or something different to enjoy with friends and family. Here are 10 unusual Dubai experiences worth adding to the list at least once.
1. Experience Indoor Skydiving at Inflight Dubai
Ever wondered what it feels like to skydive without jumping out of an aeroplane? Inflight Dubai offers an opportunity to experience freefall inside a vertical wind tunnel.
Located at the Skydive Dubai Desert Campus, the attraction uses powerful airflow to lift participants into the air. Visitors receive a safety briefing, flight equipment and guidance from trained instructors before entering the tunnel.
Unlike outdoor skydiving, there is no aircraft jump or parachute landing involved. This makes it an interesting introduction to the sensation of flying.
Inflight Dubai lists experiences for participants aged three and above, subject to its safety requirements. Prices have previously started from AED 220, although visitors should check the latest booking rates.
Location: Skydive Dubai Desert Campus, Dubai.
2. Try Indoor Surfing at Wavehouse
Surfing in Dubai does not have to depend on natural sea waves. At Wavehouse in Atlantis, The Palm, visitors can try an artificial surfing experience using the Surf’s Up Wave Rider.
The attraction creates a continuous flow of water across a specially designed surface, allowing participants to practise bodyboarding or stand-up surfing. Beginners can get guidance before taking on the waves, while more experienced participants can work on their balance and technique.
It is also a different activity to try with friends or family, particularly for those who enjoy water sports but do not regularly get the opportunity to surf.
Wavehouse has listed prices of AED 575 from Monday to Thursday and AED 675 from Friday to Sunday for its surfing experience. Visitors should confirm current rates and session requirements before booking.
Location: Wavehouse, Atlantis, The Palm.
3. Walk Through an Underwater City at Deep Dive Dubai
An underwater city might sound unusual, but Deep Dive Dubai gives visitors an opportunity to explore one beneath the surface.
Located in Nad Al Sheba, the attraction features a 60-metre-deep diving pool designed around a submerged city. Its underwater environment includes furnished rooms and recreated urban spaces that visitors can explore.
Those without diving experience can consider the Sunken City Walk, which offers a guided underwater experience at a much shallower depth. The activity allows participants to see the submerged setting without needing scuba-diving certification, subject to the venue’s eligibility requirements.
Deep Dive Dubai also holds the Guinness World Records title for the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving, at 60.02 metres. This makes it particularly interesting for anyone curious about underwater exploration.
Location: Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai.
4. Fly Above Dubai Marina on XLine Dubai
For those who prefer their adventures high above the ground, XLine Dubai offers an unusual way to see the Marina. The urban zipline stretches approximately one kilometre, taking participants above the waterfront and surrounding skyscrapers.
The ride starts near Dubai Marina Mall and reaches heights of around 170 metres. Participants can reach speeds of up to approximately 80km/h, making it an experience for those comfortable with heights and fast rides.
XLine Dubai has specific eligibility requirements. Participants must be aged 12 to 65, at least 130cm tall and weigh between 45kg and 100kg. Parental consent is required for participants under 18.
It is worth considering for anyone who wants a different perspective of Dubai Marina without booking a helicopter tour.
Location: Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai.
5. Experience Winter in the Middle of Dubai at Ski Dubai
Dubai’s warm climate makes an indoor snow park an unusual attraction in its own right. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates allows visitors to enjoy snow-based activities without travelling to a colder destination.
The attraction offers skiing, snowboarding and a Snow Park with activities such as tubing, bumper cars, zorbing and a climbing wall. Visitors can also watch the daily penguin march, while separate packages are available for penguin encounters.
According to Ski Dubai’s official website, its Snow Park Pass includes access to several rides, clothing rental, gloves and a locker. The listed price for the Snow Park Pass is AED 269 per person, although packages and prices can change.
Children aged two and above can enter the snow park, with visitors aged two to 13 required to be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
Location: Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
6. Try Water Zorbing in Hatta at Go Gravity
For something different outside central Dubai, Go Gravity at Hatta Wadi Hub offers water zorbing. Participants climb inside a large transparent inflatable ball and roll down a specially designed water slide.
The activity combines the movement of a giant rolling ball with a splash of water, creating an unusual outdoor adventure. Visitors can also try football zorbing, where players compete while wearing inflatable balls around their bodies.
Go Gravity offers other activities, including Cyber Kart, tube sliding, gel ball and rover riding. This makes it worth considering for a group outing or a day trip to Hatta.
Visit Hatta lists water zorbing and football zorbing among the activities available at Hatta Wadi Hub. Operating schedules vary between weekdays and weekends, so visitors should check before travelling.
Location: Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta, Dubai.
7. Smash Objects Inside a Rage Room at The Smash Room
Not every unusual experience needs to involve heights, water or speed. The Smash Room in Al Quoz offers something quite different: a dedicated space where visitors can break selected objects using tools and protective equipment.
Participants can choose from different packages featuring items such as glassware, printers, computer equipment and televisions. Each session includes protective gear, a safety briefing and staff supervision.
The attraction can be an unconventional group activity for friends, couples and colleagues looking for something beyond the usual bowling or cinema plans.
The Smash Room lists regular packages from AED 199 per person, with standard sessions available for visitors aged 11 and above. Children aged five to 10 have separate birthday packages.
Location: Al Quoz Industrial 4, Dubai.
8. Explore the Titanic Through Virtual Reality
History enthusiasts can experience a different kind of attraction at Titanic: A Voyage Through Time in Dubai. The virtual reality experience takes visitors through recreated spaces aboard the famous ship.
Participants can explore its interiors, interact with objects and discover stories connected to the Titanic’s voyage. Instead of watching a documentary or looking at static displays, visitors become part of an immersive digital recreation.
The experience is located at Active Games in Al Quoz and includes approximately 45 minutes of virtual reality. The full visit takes around an hour, including the introduction and equipment process.
The attraction is open to visitors aged eight and above, making it another option for families with older children.
Location: Active Games, Al Quoz, Dubai.
9. Race Through Virtual Tracks at Chaos Karts
Traditional go-karting gets a digital twist at Chaos Karts, an augmented reality karting attraction at Active Games in Al Quoz.
The experience combines physical karting with digitally projected tracks and interactive game elements. Participants race around a real track while virtual effects and in-game power-ups add another layer to the competition.
Unlike conventional karting, where the focus is mainly on speed and driving skills, Chaos Karts introduces a gaming element to the activity.
It is an interesting choice for friends, gaming enthusiasts and groups looking for an indoor activity that combines technology with real-world movement.
Active Games also offers other experiences, including Titanic VR, PAC-MAN Live and Hyper Tag, giving visitors more than one reason to explore the venue.
Location: Active Games, Al Quoz, Dubai.
10. Try a Virtual Flight Simulator at The City Gaming Center
Anyone curious about flight simulation can consider The City Gaming Center in Al Quoz. The venue offers virtual reality attractions, including the VR Super 360 Flight Simulator.
Rather than taking to the skies in a real aircraft, participants can experience a simulated flight through an immersive gaming setup. It offers a different way to explore virtual reality, particularly for people who enjoy gaming and interactive technology.
The City Gaming Center also features VR Arena, VR Empire World, gaming stations and private gaming rooms. Visitors can therefore combine the flight simulator with other gaming activities during the same visit.
According to Visit Dubai, the venue is located in Al Quoz and caters to gaming enthusiasts looking for virtual reality and competitive entertainment.
Location: Al Quoz, Dubai.
Dubai’s unusual experiences give residents and tourists more ways to explore the city beyond its well-known attractions. They also support the emirate’s leisure and entertainment sector by offering activities that appeal to different age groups, interests and spending preferences.
For residents, these attractions provide alternatives for weekend plans, celebrations and group outings. Tourists can also include them in their itineraries when looking for something different from traditional sightseeing.
The range is particularly useful because it includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor skydiving, artificial surfing, snow parks and virtual reality attractions offer options throughout the year, while Hatta adds outdoor adventure experiences to the mix.
Before booking, visitors should check age restrictions, medical requirements, session timings and current ticket prices. Some activities require advance reservations, and eligibility conditions can vary between venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some unusual things to do in Dubai?
Some unusual activities in Dubai include indoor skydiving at Inflight Dubai, artificial surfing at Wavehouse, underwater walking at Deep Dive Dubai, ziplining at XLine Dubai and water zorbing in Hatta.
2. Where can you try indoor skydiving in Dubai?
Inflight Dubai at Skydive Dubai Desert Campus offers indoor skydiving through a vertical wind tunnel. First-time flyers can book sessions starting from AED 220, with a minimum age requirement of three years.
3. Can you experience zero gravity in Dubai?
Deep Dive Dubai offers an underwater experience that creates a sensation of weightlessness through buoyancy. Its Sunken City Walk takes visitors four metres below the water’s surface. However, this is not a true zero-gravity or space simulation experience.
4. What are some unusual indoor activities in Dubai?
Visitors can try indoor skydiving, artificial surfing, indoor snow activities, rage rooms, augmented reality karting and virtual reality experiences. Popular venues include Inflight Dubai, Wavehouse, Ski Dubai, The Smash Room and Active Games.
5. Are there unusual activities in Dubai suitable for families?
Yes. Families can consider Ski Dubai, Wavehouse, Deep Dive Dubai’s Sunken City Walk and selected virtual reality experiences. However, minimum age, height and supervision requirements vary by attraction.
A Different Side of Dubai
From flying inside a wind tunnel to exploring an underwater city, Dubai has plenty of unusual experiences for people who want to try something beyond the ordinary. Whether it is a weekend plan with friends, a family outing or an adventure to tick off the bucket list, these attractions offer different ways to enjoy the city.
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