Al Boom Tourist Village: Dhow Cruise, Halls & Hours
Walking into Al Boom Tourist Village costs nothing, but the two main reasons to come, the 2-hour dhow dinner cruise and a banquet hall booking, both need a reservation. The complex sits on the Dubai Creek side of Umm Hurair 2, behind the Grand Hyatt Dubai, next to Creek Park.
The Al Hareb family founded it in 1983, and it now covers about 15 acres of banquet halls, restaurants and dhows. It is best known as a wedding and banquet venue, with dhow cruises and creekside dining alongside.
Al Boom Tourist Village quick details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Umm Hurair 2, behind the Grand Hyatt Dubai, off Sheikh Rashid Road |
| Entry | Free for the grounds. Cruises, dining and events are charged separately |
| Opening hours | Daily, 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM |
| Dhow cruise | 2 hours, three sailing times, adults from AED 55 |
| Banquet halls | Four in Dubai, up to 4,000 guests indoors and 2,000 outdoors |
| Reservations | +971 4 324 3000 |
| Nearest metro | Dubai Healthcare City or Al Jadaf (Green Line) |
Dhow cruise sailings & prices
The cruise has three sailing times, and each one lasts 2 hours.
| Sailing | Boarding | Cruise starts | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset | 4:30 PM | 5:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday |
| Evening | 6:30 PM | 7:00 PM | Daily |
| Late evening | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | Daily |
The late sailing returns to the dock around 11:00 PM, half an hour before the village closes. Voucher tickets for the sunset sailing are valid on Saturdays and Sundays only, and every sailing depends on availability.
Ticket prices & child rules
Adult tickets start at AED 55 on voucher deals, and other listings run up to AED 99. Child fares follow age bands:
- Under 3 years: free
- 3 to 9 years: child ticket, from AED 45
- Above 9 years: adult ticket
Vouchers stay valid for 30 days from the purchase date, including weekends and public holidays.
What the cruise includes
Every ticket covers an Arabic buffet, a Tanoura show, a light show and a seat on an air-conditioned boat. The route runs along Dubai Creek toward the Dubai Water Canal, and the sights on the way include:
- The Burj Khalifa and the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline
- Business Bay and the Dubai Design District
- The Jaddaf dhow building yard, a heritage site
- Ras Al Khor Bird Sanctuary, where birds are visible at low tide
- The Dubai Festival City Mall fountain show
Banquet halls & capacities
Al Boom runs four banquet halls in Dubai, and Rashid Hall is the largest.
| Hall | Guests | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Rashid Hall | 600 to 1,000 | The grand ballroom for large weddings and receptions |
| Latifa Hall | 300 to 800 | Mid-size weddings, banquets and corporate dinners |
| Adhary Hall | 100 to 400 | Air-conditioned Bedouin-style tent with round-table seating |
| Al Khor Hall | Up to 300 | Small family gatherings and intimate receptions |
Together the halls take up to 4,000 guests indoors, with room for another 2,000 outdoors. Private dhow charters seat roughly 90 to 300 guests, which suits birthday parties and small receptions on the water.
Hall rates depend on guest count, date and menu, so give the events team those three details when you call +971 4 324 3000.
Rashid Hall and Latifa Hall have also hosted mass weddings, including one for 48 grooms, and Emirati weddings attended by members of Dubai’s ruling family.
Zaman Awal restaurant & the Aref boat
Zaman Awal is the village’s Emirati restaurant, set on the creek, and it serves local and Gulf dishes with views over the water. Tables are booked through the main reservations line, +971 4 324 3000.
The Aref boat is the first leisure vessel that cruised Dubai Creek. It has two decks, with a maritime history display on the lower deck and an Arabian coffee shop on the upper deck. The boat is the best-known landmark in the village.
How to get there
By metro
The nearest Dubai Metro stations are Dubai Healthcare City and Al Jadaf, both on the Green Line.
By water taxi
Al Boom Tourist Village has its own station on the Dubai Water Taxi network, in the Creek and Dubai Water Canal zone. Book through the water taxi service on 800 90 90, and note that boats run from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM only. That fits a daytime visit or the 4:30 PM sunset boarding, but not the evening sailings.
By car
Take Sheikh Rashid Road toward Al Garhoud Bridge and look for the entrance behind the Grand Hyatt. Open the Al Boom location pin to route from your starting point.
How to book
Three channels cover everything the village sells: a cruise, a restaurant table or an event.
- Decide what you need: a cruise seat, a table at Zaman Awal or a hall date.
- Call +971 4 324 3000, or the direct mobile line +971 55 752 4455, and state the date, time and number of guests.
- For a voucher cruise, email at least 24 hours before the sailing with your name, contact details, preferred date and the voucher attached. The email address is printed on the voucher after purchase.
- Wait for the written confirmation before travelling.
- To cancel or reschedule a cruise, give 24 hours’ notice.
Before you book
- The sunset sailing runs on weekends only, so weekday visitors choose between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
- Children under 3 sail free, but ages 3 to 9 need a child ticket and ages 10 and above need an adult one.
- Water taxis stop at 7:00 PM, so plan a taxi or car for the return after an evening sailing.
- Hall quotes are individual, so contact the events team early for peak wedding dates.
FAQ
Is Al Boom Tourist Village free to enter?
Yes, the grounds have no entry fee. Dhow cruises, restaurant meals and events are charged separately.
What time does Al Boom Tourist Village open & close?
It opens daily at 9:00 AM and closes at 11:30 PM.
How much is the Al Boom dhow cruise?
Adult tickets start at AED 55 and child tickets for ages 3 to 9 start at AED 45. Children under 3 sail free.
How many banquet halls does Al Boom have in Dubai?
There are four: Rashid Hall, Latifa Hall, Adhary Hall and Al Khor Hall. Together they hold up to 4,000 guests indoors.
Where is Al Boom Tourist Village located?
It is in Umm Hurair 2, behind the Grand Hyatt Dubai, off Sheikh Rashid Road and next to Creek Park.
Do I need to book the dhow cruise in advance?
Yes. Voucher bookings need an email reservation at least 24 hours before the sailing.
