Yes. Sandboarding in the Dubai desert is available with Dune Buggy Rentals Dubai as an add-on to a self-drive dune buggy or quad bike ride, at AED 50 per person. Buggies and quads start every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily, on private desert terrain outside Dubai, and the sandboarding is booked together with that ride.
Key takeaways
- Sandboarding costs AED 50 per person and is only booked with a dune buggy or a quad bike, not on its own.
- You add it on the same activities booking form you use for the buggy or quad, and you pay for everything online by Visa or Mastercard in AED.
- Buggies are priced per buggy and quads per quad bike. The sandboarding price is a separate line, per person.
- Start times run every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily. October to April is the main season, and in summer the earliest morning slots are the ones to aim for.
- No buggy or quad price includes pickup. Add a sharing transfer at AED 175 per person, a private car at AED 450 for 5 to 6 guests, or meet at the location emailed to you.
- Closed-toe shoes are required for the ride. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.
- Falling over on a sandboard is normal and part of learning. Soft sand makes it a gentle place to try.
What is sandboarding?
Sandboarding is riding a board down the slope of a dune, much like snowboarding or sledging, but on sand instead of snow. You either stand on the board sideways, the way a snowboarder does, or sit or lie on it and slide down. The board glides over the surface of the sand, and you steer and slow down by shifting your weight and dragging your hands or heels.
It is a simple activity at heart. There is no engine, no controls to learn and no convoy to keep up with. That is a big part of the appeal after a dune buggy or quad bike ride: the ride is fast, loud and focused, and sandboarding is slower, quieter and very much about playing on the sand.
Most first-timers spend more time brushing sand off than carving smooth turns, and that is fine.
How does sandboarding work with Dune Buggy Rentals Dubai?
Sandboarding here is an add-on, not a standalone booking. The price is AED 50 per person, and it is booked together with a buggy or a quad bike. In practice that means you choose your machine and your ride length first, then add sandboarding for each person who wants to try it.
Where do you add it?
You add sandboarding on the same activities booking form you use for the dune buggy or quad bike. There is no separate page to visit and no second payment. The form shows the buggies, the quads and the add-ons together, so you can see each line with its own price and unit before you pay. If you have not used the form before, the guide on how to book a dune buggy in Dubai walks through it step by step.
Who pays for sandboarding?
Sandboarding is per person. A buggy is priced per buggy, so a 2 seater carries the driver and one passenger, and a 4 seater the driver and three, all for the one buggy price. Sandboarding does not work that way. Each person who wants a go on the board is booked at AED 50 per person, and anyone who would rather watch from the side simply is not added.
Can you book sandboarding without a buggy or quad?
No. Sandboarding is only offered with a buggy or a quad. If you want a desert outing that is mostly about the board, the simplest route is to pick a short ride, such as a 30 minute buggy or quad slot, and add sandboarding to it. Sandboarding is not listed as part of the shared safaris, so do not assume it comes with a safari.
Which buggy or quad should you pair it with?
Any buggy or quad on the form can carry the sandboarding add-on. The choice depends on how many people are coming, who wants to drive and how long you want to be on the machine. Here are a few common pairings with their exact prices and units.
| Option | Ride length | Price and unit |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Seater Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC | 30 min | AED 600 per buggy |
| 2 Seater Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC | 1 hour | AED 900 per buggy |
| 4 Seater Polaris Dune Buggy RZR 1000 CC | 30 min | AED 800 per buggy |
| 2 Seater Can-Am Maverick X3 | 30 min | AED 999 per buggy |
| Single Seater Quad Bike (Kymco) | 30 min | AED 250 per quad bike |
| Double Seater Quad Bike | 30 min | AED 350 per quad bike |
| Yamaha Grizzly Quad Bike | 1 hour | AED 550 per quad bike |
| SandBoarding add-on | with a buggy or quad | AED 50 per person |
Each price in the table stands on its own with its unit. The buggy price covers the buggy, the quad price covers the quad bike, and the sandboarding price covers one person.
Couples and pairs
For two people, the 2 Seater Polaris RZR 1000 CC is the usual starting point: one driver, one passenger, 30 min at AED 600 per buggy or 1 hour at AED 900 per buggy. If both of you want to drive, two Single Seater Quad Bikes give each person their own machine, at AED 250 per quad bike for 30 min. Sandboarding is then added at AED 50 per person for whoever wants to try it.
Families and groups of friends
A 4 seater buggy carries the driver and three passengers for one price, which suits a family or a small group. The 4 Seater Polaris RZR 1000 CC is AED 800 per buggy for 30 min. Buggy drivers are adults with photo ID, and children ride as passengers beside an adult. For a wider look at the buggy range, the dune buggy Dubai page lists every model with its seat count and ride lengths.
Riders who want their own machine
If everyone in the group wants to drive, quads are the way to do it. The Double Seater Quad Bike takes one driver and one passenger at AED 350 per quad bike for 30 min, and the Yamaha Grizzly Quad Bike runs AED 450 per quad bike for 30 min or AED 550 per quad bike for 1 hour. The quad biking Dubai page explains which quads ride in the fenced area and which go into the open deep desert.
How do you sandboard as a beginner?
The good news is that the basics take a few minutes to understand. The rest comes from trying, falling and trying again. Here is a plain, general approach that works for most first-timers.
Start sitting down
Sitting on the board is the easiest way in. Sit near the back of the board with your feet resting on the front, lean back slightly and hold the edges or a strap if the board has one. Push off with your hands and let the board slide. To slow down, dig your heels into the sand on both sides. To turn, lean gently toward the side you want to go and drag a hand on that side.
Sitting keeps your centre of gravity low, so falls are short and soft. It is a good way to get a feel for how the board moves over sand before you try standing.
Standing up
Standing sideways on the board is the snowboard-style version and takes the most practice. The general idea:
- Place your feet across the board, about shoulder width apart.
- Decide which foot leads. Most people lead with the foot they would put forward to stop a fall.
- Bend your knees and keep your weight centred over the board, not leaning back.
- Look down the slope where you want to go, not at your feet.
- Shift weight onto your toes or heels to turn and to slow down.
Expect to fall. On soft sand that usually means sitting down sideways or tipping forward onto your hands. Let yourself go with it rather than bracing stiffly, and keep your mouth closed as you land.
Is sandboarding hard?
Sandboarding sitting down is easy for most people. Standing up is harder, mainly because sand is slower and grabbier than snow, so the board does not always glide the way you expect. Many people manage a few short standing runs on their first try and spend the rest of the time sitting. The bigger effort is often not the ride down but the walk back up, which brings us to the next point.
The walk back up
There is no lift on a dune. After each run you carry the board back up the slope on foot. Soft sand gives under each step, so walking uphill is tiring. Take small steps, lean slightly forward, and rest when you need to. Pace yourself: a few good runs are better than many rushed ones where you arrive at the top out of breath.
What should you wear and bring for sandboarding?
Dress for the dune buggy or quad ride first, since sandboarding comes with it, and add a few things that make the board more comfortable.
Shoes
Closed-toe shoes are required for the buggy and quad ride. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Closed shoes help on the board too, giving your feet some grip and keeping sand off your toes. Trainers you do not mind filling with sand work well.
Clothes
Wear light, comfortable clothes that cover your knees and elbows, since you will sit, slide and fall on the sand. Long, loose trousers and a light top with sleeves are a sensible choice. Avoid anything delicate or white. Sand gets into pockets, cuffs and seams, so empty your pockets before you start and shake everything out before you get back in the car.
Eye protection
Every buggy and quad rider gets a helmet and goggles, and they are for the ride. For sandboarding, sunglasses or goggles of your own help keep sand and glare out of your eyes, especially on a windy day. A cap or hat helps between runs.
Water and sun
Unlimited mineral water is included with every buggy ride. Drink before, during and after sandboarding, because the walk back up is hard work. Bring sunscreen and put it on before you arrive, and keep a small towel or wipes in your bag to clean sand off your hands and face.
When is the best time to go sandboarding?
Sandboarding follows the timing of your buggy or quad slot. Buggies, quads and the dirt bike start every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily, so there is plenty of choice.
Season
October to April is the main season. Those months are the most comfortable for being active outdoors, which matters more for sandboarding than for the ride itself because of the walking.
Summer
In summer, the earliest morning slots are the ones recommended. That advice applies to sandboarding as well. Climbing a dune repeatedly is far more pleasant in the early morning than later in the day.
Morning or late afternoon
Outside summer, both early morning and late afternoon slots work well. Morning light is soft and the sand is fresh. Late afternoon slots give warm light for photos. Pick the one that fits your plans, and remember to allow time on site: for a 30 minute buggy ride, plan for about 90 minutes on site, covering check-in, signing the liability form, fitting the helmet and goggles, the safety briefing, the drive and the photo stop. Ask the team when booking how the sandboarding fits around your ride slot.
How do you get there?
Rides run on private desert terrain outside Dubai. No buggy or quad price includes pickup, so you choose how to arrive.
- Sharing transfer: AED 175 per person, for two or more guests from one pickup point.
- Private car: AED 450 for 5 to 6 guests.
- Meet on site: drive yourself to the location, which is emailed to you after booking.
With either transfer, pickup is 1 hour before your start time. Add the transfer on the booking form at the same time as the ride and the sandboarding, so everything sits in one confirmation.
Who should skip sandboarding?
Sandboarding is lighter than driving a buggy, but it still involves falls, sudden stops and steep walking. Dune driving is physical, and riders with back or neck conditions, recent surgery or a pregnancy should not drive a buggy. Dune bashing is also a rough ride. If any of these apply to you, or if you have another health condition, see a doctor before you book, and tell the team about it when booking. This guide does not give medical advice.
People who are simply nervous do not need to skip it. Sitting on the board and taking a short, gentle run is a perfectly good way to join in, and watching from the side is always an option for anyone who prefers it.
How do booking and payment work?
Booking happens online, on the activities booking form. You choose the buggy or quad and ride length, add sandboarding for each person, add a transfer if you need one, and pick a start time.
- Payment is by Visa or Mastercard in AED.
- You pay in full when booking online.
- There is no card processing fee.
- The booking confirmation arrives by email.
If you are meeting on site, the location comes after booking. Keep the confirmation email handy on the day, and bring photo ID if you are driving a buggy.
What is the cancellation policy?
The policy depends on the size of the booking. The full wording is on the cancellation policy page.
Bookings of fewer than 4 guests
- Cancel 96 hours or more before departure: no fee, refunded less a 5% processing fee.
- At least 48 hours before departure: a 50% fee.
- Under 24 hours before departure: a 100% fee.
Bookings of 4 or more guests
- Cancel 7 days before departure: a 50% fee.
- 5 days or less before departure: the fee is 100%.
How to cancel or change
Cancel by email only. The time your email arrives sets the fee. Refunds go to the original card within 7 to 10 business days. Moving your booking to another date carries no charge, subject to availability. If the team cancels for weather, you get a refund less 5% or a new date.
Planning tips for sandboarding in the Dubai desert
A little preparation makes the session easier and more fun.
- Book the ride first, then add the board. Choose your buggy or quad and ride length, then add sandboarding at AED 50 per person only for those who want it.
- Count heads, not machines. One 4 seater buggy covers four people for one buggy price, but sandboarding is per person, so add each person separately.
- Pick an early slot in summer. The walk back up the dune is the tiring part, and the earliest morning slots are the comfortable ones in the hot months.
- Wear closed shoes and covering clothes. Closed-toe shoes are required for the ride and help on the board too.
- Bring sunglasses or goggles of your own for the board. The helmet and goggles provided are for the buggy or quad ride.
- Drink water. Unlimited mineral water is included with every buggy ride, so use it.
- Start sitting down. Try a few seated runs before you stand. You will learn how the board moves and enjoy it more.
- Expect sand everywhere. Empty your pockets, bring a towel and shake out your shoes before getting back in the car.
- Plan time on site. Around 90 minutes on site for a 30 minute buggy ride is a fair guide, before you add the board.
In short
Sandboarding in the Dubai desert with Dune Buggy Rentals Dubai costs AED 50 per person and is booked together with a self-drive dune buggy or quad bike ride. Start times run every 30 minutes from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily, on private desert terrain outside Dubai, with October to April as the main season and the earliest morning slots in summer. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunglasses or goggles for the board, drink plenty of water and start with a seated run.
To book, choose your buggy or quad on the activities booking form and add sandboarding there, or call +971 52 440 9525 or email [email protected] with your date, start time and the number of people.
