The Dubai Desert: Quad biking adventure

Have you ever ridden a quad bike? It's one of the most thrilling experiences you can have on a trip to the Dubai desert. Nothing compares to the sensation of gliding across the towering sand dunes at several kilometres per hour on one of these vehicles.

From €47 you can ride a quad bike in the fascinating scenery of the Lahbab desert and complete this little adventure with other adventurous activities such as sandboarding, dune bashing in a 4x4 or a buggy ride. You'll have the thrills and spills!

But it's not all action on this excursion - there's also time to relax and watch the sunset and take pictures of the desert landscape. The contrast with the skyscrapers of the city will leave you speechless, so let's take a look at what these quad biking tours in the Dubai desert are all about!

Quad biking in the Dubai desert is one of the coolest memories you'll take away from your trip to the United Arab Emirates. You'll get the chance to explore the beautiful scenery in the Lahbab Desert and take some stunning sunset photographs on the sand dunes.

However, if you want to see this place from a totally different perspective and experience a little adventure, I recommend you experience the adrenaline rush of driving a quad bike in the Dubai desert at full speed.

Why take this tour?

If you're an extreme sports enthusiast, there's no doubt that quad biking in the Lahbab desert is an experience you won't forget. Gliding rapidly up and down the dunes is a dizzying and exhilarating sensation, and it's highly addictive!

Quad biking in the desert is usually part of a tour that encompasses other activities in this unique setting, such as sandboarding or dune bashing in a 4x4 off-road vehicle.

After all the action, there will also be time for rest and relaxation. Many of these Dubai desert excursions include lunch or dinner with entertainment and a variety of workshops set against the backdrop of Arabian culture. So, as you can see, these are super complete activities to enjoy nature and Dubai culture in a very original way.

What do these excursions usually include?

• Quad biking in the Dubai Desert
• Dunebashing with a professional driver
• Sandboarding in the dunes
• Short camel rides
• Stopover in the desert to watch the sunset
• Lunch or dinner with show and workshops
• Transfer to and from hotel
• English speaking licensed safari guide

How long will you be able to drive the quad bike in the desert?

Generally, you will have 30-45 minutes for quad bi king and the rest of the time will be divided between all the other activities.

Is it dangerous to drive a quad bike?

Like all adventure activities, quads present a certain amount of risk, so you should take precautions when riding them.

As they have four wheels and not two, many people become overconfident, but you should not let your guard down as it is an unstable vehicle and you have to be very careful not to tip over.

If you've never driven a quad bike before and you're driving for the first time in the Dubai desert, you have the advantage of having the assistance of an instructor who will explain in detail how to handle the vehicle and how to properly put on the safety equipment. In addition, during the circuit, the monitor usually guides the convoy through the dunes and will provide you with assistance whenever you need it.

To fully enjoy the experience, it is very important to follow all the instructions given by the instructor and not get carried away by the adrenaline rush.

Where is quad biking in Dubai?

Quad biking tours usually take place in the Lahbab Desert, a unique location in the region characterised by high, beautiful red sand dunes. It's a great place for adventure sports and some of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet.

From £62 you can book an excursion to the Dubai desert and ride a quad bike through the dunes in an incomparable setting.

During this activity, as well as riding a quad bike, you can also get on a 4x4 off-road vehicle for dune bashing or surf the sand on a sandboard. If you like extreme sports, you should set aside some time during your stay in the city to try these disciplines. Not only for the activity itself but also to explore the Lahbab Desert, one of the most beautiful corners of the UAE.

The price is totally worth it as it is a very complete excursion. In addition to seeing beautiful landscapes and doing extreme sports, it also allows you to do a little cultural immersion through a brunch or dinner with a show in a Bedouin camp.

On the one hand you will get to know a little better the typical gastronomy of the area and on the other hand you will attend a very entertaining demonstration of Arab music, dance and folklore. In the article Excursions with dinner and show in the desert of Dubai I tell you in depth what they consist of. They are amazing!

And regarding the cost of an excursion of this type, I advise you to take a look at the post How much does it cost to visit the desert of Dubai: prices of the excursions as there is an in-depth review on this issue so that you can better organise your budget to fulfil this dream.

The best time

Since Dubai has a subtropical desert-type climate, no matter when you travel to the city, it's always going to be hot. However, during the summer the thermometers can easily soar into the 50s, so it's not the best time to take a trip to the desert and go quad biking.

If you want to experience this, I recommend spring or autumn, which are also warm seasons, but not as hot as summer, so you can enjoy outdoor activities without the sweltering heat. It's also the mid-season in Dubai, so you'll find it a little cheaper than if you opt for winter.

Prices do increase between December in Dubai and March in Dubai but temperatures are the most pleasant of the year and usually don't exceed 30 degrees Celsius. If budget is not an issue, this season is a great time to go quad biking in the Dubai desert.

To find out more about the city's climate, don't miss the post Best time to travel to Dubai, so you can plan your trip and all the activities you'll be doing during your stay!

The best day

Any day is a good day for an adventure in the Dubai desert, but Friday in particular, being the weekly day of rest in Islamic culture, you can take advantage of the fact that many shops close that day to get out of the city.

There's not much to do there, so it's a good idea to head to Lahbab for a little getaway and have some adrenaline-fuelled quad biking fun. You'll see some amazing scenery and you can film yourself riding one of these vehicles through the huge desert dunes. Is this a great plan or not?

The best time

In the morning**, if you're short on time or can't tolerate the heat**

This depends a bit on your schedule during your stay. For example, if you are only going to spend a few days in the city(2 days in Dubai or 3 days in Dubai for rest), the best option is to choose a morning schedule, as the excursions start early (between 7 and 10 AM) and last around 4 hours, so that when you return you will have the whole afternoon free to do other things you have pending in the city.

Morning tours are also a good option if you can't tolerate the heat and prefer to get up early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the early hours of the day.

In the afternoon, if you are staying several days in Dubai and are looking for a complete experience

But if you plan to spend more time in Dubai (about 5 days in Dubai or 7 days in Dubai sightseeing) and the heat doesn't matter to you, then you can take the afternoon tour, in my opinion the experience of visiting the Lahbab desert and driving a quad bike in this spectacular sea of reddish sand is much more global if you choose an afternoon schedule because the excursions are longer (they last around 6 or 7 hours) and you do a lot of other activities like sandboarding, dunebashing in 4x4, a camel ride, belly dancing or photography in traditional Arabian costumes, among others.

Excursions to the Dubai desert in the afternoon usually start around 2:30 or 3pm so you can make the most of the afternoon in the wilderness doing adventure sports, watching the sunset over spectacular scenery and dining under the stars at a Bedouin camp before heading back to the city.

If you get the chance, my advice is to opt for the afternoon quad biking tour in the desert - it's much longer, fuller and more fun!

To get the most out of your quad biking experience in the Dubai desert, I recommend you take note of these tips.

About quad biking

• Quad biking is a risky activity, so I recommend that you take out insurance in case of an unfortunate mishap. These tours are usually insured, but you should take out your own insurance just in case, as health care is very expensive in Dubai.
• Follow the instructor's instructions carefully when riding the quad bike.
• The quads have no bodywork, so protective equipment is essential (approved helmets, arm and leg protectors, and arm and leg protectors).
• When riding the quad, do not turn the handlebars sharply as the vehicle could tip over. The best way to preserve your safety is to ride smoothly.
• Drive your quad seated and without taking your feet off the footrests. This avoids unnecessary risks.
• Drive the quad at a speed that is appropriate to your capabilities and those of the vehicle. Do not go too fast or the quad could play a dirty trick on you.
• Quad bike racing is forbidden, so don't get into a scuffle with your fellow riders. As they have four wheels, these vehicles give a false sense of security and you can easily get into dangerous situations if you don't handle them correctly.

About the day in the desert

• Pack some motion sickness medication in your backpack because during the excursion you will be doing several extreme activities that could make you feel nauseous at some point.
• Remember to hydrate frequently and don't wait until you are thirsty. It's very hot in the desert and you'll be doing a lot of strenuous activities during the trek, so bring plenty of water and an isotonic drink to replenish your energy.
• The desert heat could also give you a headache, so don't forget to pack a hat and some medicine in your first aid kit.
• Apply SPF 50sunscreen so that the desert sun doesn't burn your skin. Also bring sunglasses to protect your eyes from the intense sunlight.
• For a day trip to the Dubai desert and to protect yourself from the heat during the day, it's best to wear loose-fitting clothing made of cool fabrics that cover your entire body. Temperatures can drop dramatically at night, however, so pack some warm clothing if you're staying for a dinner show.
• As for footwear, it's best to wear closed-toe shoes for quad biking. Other shoes will not be comfortable.

If you liked these little 'tips', in the post Tips for visiting the Dubai desert you have more useful recommendations that will surely help you get the most out of this exciting adventure in the dunes.

As well as quad biking, other extreme sports you can enjoy in the Dubai desert include sandboarding (surfing on the sand at high speed), dune bashing in a 4x4 (sliding down the dunes like a rollercoaster) or a buggy tour (which gives you the sensation of floating over the desert).

If you are an action and risk enthusiast, you will have a great time on this type of excursion, as you will have the chance to try all these activities for a while and experience unforgettable moments. You will also have the chance to see the unique landscape of the Lahbab desert and take some amazing pictures for your memory album.

To find out what these activities are all about and what you can do if you join one of them, I recommend you to read the posts The Dubai Desert: Sandboarding in the dunes or The Dubai Desert: buggy excursions.